Universities Ireland and IBEC-CBI Joint Business Council offer eight North-South Masters bursaries

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NORTH-SOUTH MASTERS BURSARIES 2007-2008

Universities Ireland, which promotes collaboration between universities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and the Joint Business Council of the Irish Business and Employers Confederation and the Confederation of British Industry, which promotes North-South business co-operation, are offering eight bursaries to students undertaking a recognised Master’s course (taught or research) in the other Irish jurisdiction. Dublin Institute of Technology is also a partner in this scheme.

Six of these bursaries, worth €20,000 (approx. Stg£14,000) each, will be in areas of study of particular relevance to business and industry, and will be co-sponsored by individual companies in these areas. Two more, worth €15,000 (approx. Stg£10,500) each, will be in other areas (particularly arts and social sciences) and will be funded by Universities Ireland alone. These bursaries must be taken up for the academic year 2007-2008.

The bursaries are open to students currently registered at an Irish or Northern Irish university or Dublin IT (or who have graduated within the past two years) proposing to take up a place on a Master’s course which would require them to relocate to the other Irish jurisdiction. They are also open to currently registered students at an Irish or Northern Irish university or Dublin IT (or who have graduated within the past two years) wishing to follow a cross-border Master’s course involving some study in the other jurisdiction.

Examples of areas of particular relevance to business are ICT, biotechnology, chemistry, engineering, environmental sciences, finance, logistics, food science, commercial law and business administration. Candidates should contact the Centre for Cross Border Studies (see below) for advice on other relevant subjects.

To be considered for this award, applicants will be required to write a short essay (1400-1500 words) explaining why they wish to study in the other Irish jurisdiction and how they believe their studies will enhance understanding of innovation and business development on the island of Ireland in their chosen subject (for the business-sponsored bursaries); or understanding of all-island perspectives in their chosen subject (for the general bursaries).

The closing date for applications for this scholarship will be Wednesday 16th May (5 pm). The winning applicants will be selected by a high-level panel comprising university presidents and business leaders, chaired by Dr Don Thornhill, Chairman, National Competitiveness Council (RoI) and former chairman, Higher Education Authority.

The successful applicants will be informed of the panel’s decision by early July. Those students receiving business-sponsored awards will meet their sponsoring company between July and September to discuss a possible work placement or other collaboration to assist them in their studies.

Recipients of the bursaries will be required to furnish proof that they have been offered a place on a recognised Master’s course in the other Irish jurisdiction or a cross-border Master’s course. The organisers reserve the right not to award the full number of bursaries if the standard of applications is insufficiently high.

For further information, including an application form, contact Andy Pollak or Patricia McAllister, Universities Ireland, The Centre for Cross Border Studies, 39 Abbey Street, Armagh BT61 7EB, Northern Ireland.
Tel. 028-37-511550 [048 from the Republic of Ireland]
Email p.mcallister@qub.ac.uk

Secretariat provided by the Centre for Cross Border Studies