19 students studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) associated subjects at North West Regional College (NWRC) have been awarded bursaries totalling £42,750 from the SSE Airtricity Scholarship Fund.
This is the second year that students from the college have benefited from this initiative, which is operated by SSE Airtricity, Northern Ireland’s largest provider of renewable energy. The SSE Airtricity Scholarship provides 50% funding support towards the cost of third level fees for students from Counties Tyrone, Fermanagh and Derry-Londonderry commencing first year studies in STEM-associated courses at partner colleges.
The SSE Airtricity Scholarship is funded by local wind farms owned and operated by sister SSE company SSE Renewables, the largest green energy generator in Northern Ireland.
Last year 18 students from NWRC received a scholarship from SSE Airtricity, and with a further 19 awards this year, this brings the total scholarship funding over the last 2 years for NWRC to almost £88,000. Typically students are awarded £2500 each!
Danny Laverty, Head of Science, Technology and Creative Industries at NWRC, congratulated all the students. He commented:
“We are delighted that 19 of our students have each been presented with a prestigious SSE Airtricity Scholarship, which helps to finance Higher Education study for local students. This year we have recipients from Art & Design, Built Environment, Computing, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Science and Media Multimedia. The scholarships will be used in a variety of ways to support the students on their journey to gain qualifications in priority skill areas enabling their careers in key disciplines that are critical for our regional and national economy.
“As a STEM assured college NWRC is very proud of the quality of the STEM courses offered at our five campuses across the North West, which are an attractive proposition for local school leavers. We believe passionately that as many students as possible should have access to third level education, and the funding support made available to our students from SSE Airtricity through its Scholarship programme will have a hugely positive impact on the lives of young people and our community in the North West.”
Michelle Donnelly, Sustainability Manager SSE Airtricity said:
“We are delighted to be able to provide financial support for the students at North West Regional College through the SSE Airtricity Scholarship Fund.
“The programme has been an incredible success, with demand growing each year. At SSE Airtricity, we are committed to bringing as much added value as possible to communities around our wind farms, and our Scholarship programme is having a direct and positive impact on the lives of these young people as they begin their studies. We are confident that our funding support for these 19 students, along with our support last year for our first intake of students at NWRC, will help them succeed in pursuing their ambitions for the future.”
For more information on courses at NWRC go to www.nwrc.ac.uk/apply
