Making a difference - October 2016

Supporting our Students 

As the new academic year commences, the Development and Alumni Relations Office are opening applications for the Ulster University Student Fund.

We are delighted that more and more alumni and staff are realising the impact their support can have on our students, and as a direct result, over the last three years, almost 10 times more students have benefited from a Gateway scholarship, which supports students who would financially struggle to complete their degree.

The Student Fund supports students in a myriad of ways, such as encouraging and rewarding excellence, providing much needed financial assistance and supporting activities which add value to the students’ academic experience.

Alison Rankin, Director of Strategy, Planning and Performance will be acting as Chair for the Student Fund’s Disbursement Committee for 2016/17. An Ulster alumna, a longstanding member of the Committee and a committed supporter of the Student Fund, Alison said: “For me as a graduate, alumna and staff member of Ulster University, one of the most rewarding times of the year is taking part in the Student Fund Disbursement Committee.

"I am acutely aware of the significant costs involved in achieving a university qualification and the commitment shown by some students to make their dream a reality. It makes me proud, as a donor and as Chair of the Disbursement Committee, to know that I have helped, in some small way, to make students realise their ambitions.”

For further information on each of the scholarships, bursaries and awards and the online application forms please visit: ulster.ac.uk/daro/scholarships

 

SSE Airtricity Scholarship to power Education 

Ulster University students joined the Minister for the Economy, Simon Hamilton, and SSE Airtricity General Manager (NI), Andrew Greer to announce the opening of the 2016 SSE Airtricity Scholarship programme to support students from the West and North-West of the country progressing in third level education.

This is the third year of the SSE Airtricity Scholarship. Ulster University, along with South West College, are the education partners in this programme which is one of the most significant bursary schemes available to full and part-time students in Northern Ireland. The programme is directly supported by the Slieve Kirk Wind Park Regional Fund which is Northern Ireland’s largest wind farm.

This year, SSE Airtricity will provide around £80,000 in funding for students from Co Derry~Londonderry and Co Tyrone, covering 50% of their fees at either Ulster University or South West College. 

Scholarships for Ulster University students are offered for bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The funding from SSE Airtricity is available for a broad range of subjects, however, there is a particular emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses.

As Northern Ireland’s leading provider of wind power and second largest energy utility, SSE Airtricity is working with Ulster University to create greater awareness and diversity in STEM subjects, in a bid to increase employment in those areas in Northern Ireland.

Application details, including an application form and Frequently Asked Questions, are available here.

Image: Simon Hamilton MLA, Minister for the Economy (centre right), and Andrew Greer, SSE Airtricity General Manager (NI) with Ulster University students Mark Daly and Seona McCracken current SSE Airtricity Scholarship recipients. 

For more on this story: SSE Ireland

Gateway Scholarship supports graduate achieve first class honours while overcoming challenges living with autism 

Derek Hanrahan from Omagh has overcome the challenges of living with autism to graduate with a first class honours in sociology and psychology.

He now hopes to inspire others facing similar obstacles to pursue a university degree.“It was only at the age of 14 that I was diagnosed with autism.” he said. From a very early age I found education to be a very difficult experience. My lack of understanding of the basic rules and social conventions led me to being placed in a special needs school. Running parallel to this was the breakdown of my family environment, which ultimately led me to being placed in care. It was a very traumatic time for me.

“I chose to use these experiences as a driving force and as soon as I was old enough I enrolled at my local college. It was my goal to attend Ulster University and I worked extremely hard to achieve the qualifications I needed to get in. I thoroughly researched the University and quickly decided it would be my first choice thanks to its quality of teaching and the support it offers to young people who have not come through mainstream education. I found the process of applying and being accepted a hugely rewarding experience.”

Derek was awarded a Gateway Scholarship in 2015, which is aimed at supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue a university education.

“I wanted to study sociology and psychology to enhance my understanding of a world that I felt so out of sync with. The scholarship allowed me to really focus on my studies – it was truly instrumental in supporting my education. Over the years I wanted to help inspire others growing up in disadvantaged circumstances and became involved in numerous charities including NSPCC, Action for Children and importantly Sixteen Plus who had helped me when I was younger,” he said.

“The process that I have been through has not been an easy one. Thanks to certain individuals, my confidence grew and I started to realise my potential. I took this belief and a strong work ethic and endeavoured to reach my goal of third level education.

For further information on the impact the Student Fund has on students like Derek, please visit: http://daro.ulster.ac.uk/impact-of-your-support-2015

Source: Belfast Telegraph

 

Your support has enabled our students to reach their full potential – thank you!