North-South postgraduate scholarship scheme
Universities Ireland, which promotes collaboration between universities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and the Joint Business Council of the Confederation of British Industry (NI) and the Irish Business and Employers Confederation, which promotes North-South business cooperation, offered scholarships to students undertaking a recognised masters or the first year of a PhD programme (taught or research) in the other Irish jurisdiction. Dublin Institute of Technology is also a partner in this scheme.
These scholarships are worth €15,000 (approx. Stg £14,000) each. The scholarships were in areas of particular relevance to business and industry, and were co-sponsored by Universities Ireland and two individual companies.
Pictured at the awards ceremony on 7 December 2010 were Paul Davidson, Emma Ryan, Patrick Molloy and Padraig McManus, ESB.
The aim of the scheme is to encourage outstanding students from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to cross the border to undertake postgraduate study and experience life in the other Irish jurisdiction. Because it is part-sponsored by business firms, there is a particular emphasis on subjects of interest to business, and the scheme aims to help build all-island innovation in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) – along with business administration – which will be vital in moving the island towards the knowledge economy that is vital to its future prosperity.
The 2010/2011 scheme will incorporate a graduate placement opportunity. The Export Orientation Programme (EOP), which is managed by IBEC, will coordinate this graduate placement. The EOP is the Republic of Ireland's longest-running and most successful graduate placement programme. It provides recent graduates and postgraduates with a valuable introduction to international business and competing in export markets.
The aim of this placement is to provide the scholarship winners with a unique opportunity to develop practical skills and to gain hands-on experience in a business environment relevant to their studies. Each placement will be tailored to ensure that the postgraduate gains exposure to all areas of the sponsoring business with a particular focus on the international element. This placement will be flexible and dynamic in nature.
Speaking at the awards ceremony on 7 December 2010, IBEC-CBI Joint Business Council Steering Committee chairman, Hugh Crossey said: “Cross border mobility of graduates is an important component in both the development of the all-island economy and the on-going peace process. The very low number of graduates registering for courses in the other jurisdiction is a cause for concern.”
“This programme s objective is to provide outstanding students with the opportunity to avail of
education opportunities in the other jurisdiction, an objective which can be achieved at low cost with support and endorsement from the two Governments,” he said.
Congratulating the award winners Vice-Chancellor Professor Gregson said: “Queen’s University values postgraduate students extremely highly. Every year we welcome hundreds of graduates who are keen to pursue their studies in an intellectually stimulating environment.
“Postgraduate students enrich our thriving research culture and contribute much to our academic activity. In return, we ensure that their time at Queen’s is as fulfilling as possible.
“For those students who have chosen to come to Queen’s I am confident you will have a student experience that will set you on a firm course for many more future successes” he said.
ESB Chief Executive, Padraig McManus said, “This unique North-South scholarship scheme plays an important role in promoting the movement of high-achieving post-graduate students in order to pursue research with a strong business dimension across the jurisdictions. Areas such as sustainability, corporate responsibility, international business and economics are all critical to the future of our industry”.
Pictured at the awards ceremony were David Sterling, Department of Employment and Learning; Hugh Crossey, JBC Steering Committee chairman; Padraig McManus, ESB and Nigel Smyth, CBI.
Recipients of the 2010/2011 postgraduate scholarships are:
Cliona Harkin doing a Masters in International Business at Queen’s University Belfast (Sponsor: Dublin Port).
Emma Ryan doing a M.Sc. in Sustainability and Social Corporate Responsibility at Queen’s University Belfast (Sponsor: ESB).
Patrick Molloy doing a M.Sc. in Business Economics at Queen’s University Belfast (Sponsor: ESB).
Paul Davidson doing a Masters in International Management at Trinity College Dublin (Sponsor: ESB).
Universities Ireland North-South Masters Scholarships was presented to:
Laura McCabe doing a Masters in Human Rights and Criminal Justice (Cross Border) at National University of Ireland Galway and Queen’s University Belfast (Sponsor: Universities Ireland).
