Bright sparks at NWRC receive £45K from SSE Airtricity Scholarship Fund

Eighteen students studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) associated subjects at North West Regional College (NWRC) have been awarded bursaries totalling £45,000 from the SSE Airtricity Scholarship Fund.

This is the fifth year of the scholarship fund, which is run by SSE Airtricity, Northern Ireland’s largest renewable energy generator, and this year it is supporting more scholars than ever before. The fund supports students living close to the company’s wind farms in Tyrone, Derry~Londonderry and Fermanagh, and provides 50% funding support towards the cost of third level fees for students commencing first year studies in STEM-associated subjects at partner colleges.

The students, who each received a scholarship worth £2,500, are currently in the process of completing Higher Level education courses in a range of areas that include Computing, Engineering, Multimedia and Journalism, Science, and the Built Environment.

The scholarships were presented to the students this week at a special presentation event at NWRC’s Flying Clipper Restaurant at Strand Road campus, and were awarded for excellence in academic career to date and demonstration of knowledge and professional aspiration in a STEM related discipline.

Danny Laverty, Head of Science, Technology and Creative Industries at NWRC said:

“The college is delighted that 18 of our students have each been presented with a prestigious SSE Airtricity Scholarship, which helps to finance the Higher Education Learning of local learners.

“NWRC offers a number Higher Education STEM courses 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.”

Donal Gormley from 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 and more than 100 students already benefitting from the fund. North West Regional College joining the programme this year highlights the value and benefits of the scholarship fund, and the important role it plays for local students.

“At SSE, we are committed to bringing as much added value as possible to communities around our wind farms, and the Scholarship is having a direct and positive impact on the lives of these young people as they begin their studies. Hopefully the support for these 18 students, along with the rest of the 2018 recipients, will help them succeed in their ambitions for the future.”

NWRC offers a range of full and part time courses in a number of STEM disciplines. For more information, you can attend NWRC’s Open Days which run on February 26, 27 and 28 in Strabane, Derry~Londonderry and Limavady respectively. There will also be a Saturday Open Day in NWRC’s Strand Road Campus on March 2.