STUDENTS from South Eastern Regional College were among young people from Northern Ireland and the Republic to receive a bursary recently.
Winners of the 2013 All Ireland Scholarships were recognised by the CEO of Ryanair, Michael O’Leary, and Irish minister for finance Michael Noonan at a University of Limerick ceremony.
Mr Noonan and the Minister for Employment and Learning, Northern Ireland, Dr Stephen Farry, presented 125 students from across Ireland with a third-level scholarship certificate.
Sponsored by JP McManus, the scheme will provide financial assistance to high achieving students who completed their Leaving Certificate/ALevel examinations in 2013.
The scholarships have been set at £5,500 in Northern Ireland and will continue for the duration of the undergraduate programmes.
Winners from SERC included: Matthew Sinclair, health and social care; Nicola-Jean Greenaway, animal management; William Heasley, applied science and Helena Killen, art and design.
Mr O’Leary said: “Your hard work and dedication has paid off in huge measures and you are now part of a privileged group of young men and women who have been honoured and rewarded today.”
Ken Webb, SERC principal and chief executive, added: “These scholarships offer the opportunity of third-level education to young people who may previously not have had that option and will enable them to continue on their chosen career paths.”
lMeanwhile, SERC animal management student Barbara Mladek, from Moira, was also presented with an award at the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) Animal Action Awards in London, to recognise her efforts to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome ex-battery and commercially farmed chickens.
Barbara set up Northern Ireland Battery Hen Rescue (known as Nut House Hen Rescue and Re-homing Centre) in 2011, after buying four hens and since then has saved more than 4,000 others.