Twenty-three students studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) associated subjects at North West Regional College (NWRC), have been awarded scholarships totalling £44,000 from the 2021/22 SSE Renewables Fund.
SSE are Northern Ireland’s largest renewable energy generator, and this is the fourth year that students from the college have benefited from their scholarship fund. The fund supports students living close to the company’s wind farms in Tyrone, Derry~Londonderry, Fermanagh and County Donegal and provides 50% funding support (up to £2500 per student) towards the cost of third-level fees for recipients commencing first-year studies in STEM-associated subjects at partner colleges.
82 Higher Education students at NWRC have now been awarded this prestigious scholarship since the initiative began four years ago, sharing a total fund value of over £175,000. Students who received the bursaries study a range of subjects including Science, Media, Engineering, Art & Design, and Computing.
Dr Catherine O’Mullan, NWRC’s Director of Curriculum and Academic Standards said that the college is delighted to continue to work with SSE as a prestigious and valued partner in supporting NWRC STEM students to continue and succeed in their studies.
She added: “These scholarships have a positive impact on our students during their time at college and provide them with wider employment opportunities in the future. The success of this college and company relationship reflects the commitment and work of college staff who have significant expertise in employer engagement within STEM areas.”
Dr. Danny Laverty, NWRC’s Head of Technology and Creative Industries said:
“The SSE Renewables Scholarship Fund continues to make a hugely positive impact on the lives of young people in the North West Region. Over the past four years, 82 of our students have been supported in Higher Education programmes in key STEM related areas critical for the growth of our economy.
Having demonstrated high academic excellence at NWRC, recipients have progressed into dedicated Year 2 Hons Degree pathways at university or have taken up employment in well paid jobs across Science, Engineering, Computing, Media, Built Environment and Creative Industry sectors.
We continue to be indebted to our funder, SSE Renewables, for this generous scholarship scheme which directly supports students!”
Michelle Donnelly, Community Investment Manager, SSE Renewables said: “Our scholarship programme was created to help local students with their student fees and living expenses whilst creating a pool of well-trained and experienced professionals, transforming career prospects in regional communities, and positively impacting future generations. The scholarship focuses on STEM subjects in a bid to help fulfil employment demands in these fields.
“We are delighted to be able to provide financial support for the students at NWRC and the programme has been an incredible success, with demand growing each year.
“At SSE, we are committed to bringing as much added value as possible to communities around our wind farms, and the scholarship fund is having a direct and positive impact on the lives of these young people as they begin their studies. We hope that the support for these 23 students, along with the rest of the recipients, will help them succeed in their ambitions for the future.”
Danny Laverty, NWRC’s Head of Technology and the Creative Industries pictured with Ciara Houston who was awarded a scholarship.
Mechanical Engineering student David Soal received an SSE Renewables Scholarship.
I.T. student Nathan Rodgers received an SSE Renewables Scholarship.
Niamh Lynch and Cole Buchanan pictured with NWRC Lecturer in media at Strabane Campus Tracy Cullen and Limavady campus manager Luke McCloskey.
