At National College of Ireland, it has been a pleasure to welcome the 2024 cohort of Irish Aid Fellows as they begin a new academic chapter.
On Tuesday, October 8th, 2024, our Mayor Square campus was filled with excitement as we got acquainted over a cuppa and bite to eat. This lovely coffee morning was led by NCI President, Professor Gina Quin, and the goal of the morning was to provide this year’s Irish Aid scholars with the opportunity to meet those who will most support them during their time here at NCI. It was a morning of connection, of fantastic chats, and it highlighted all the supports and points of contact available in the College.
“I encourage you to enjoy your time at NCI. In this room today, you will have the chance to chat with many of the academic and support staff who will be there to guide and support you through your time at NCI, ready to assist you in every step of your academic and personal development, and to celebrate your future success.” ~ NCI President, Professor Gina Quin.
NCI also proudly welcomed two members of the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS), Brian Hearne, Policy and Communications Manager and Chi Nguyen, Programme Officer at ICOS and Contact person for all IFP students at NCI during the academic year 2024/ 2025, to address the scholars and NCI faculty members and say a few words about the great importance of this initiative.
“We believe that education is key to development. It is very encouraging to see the Irish Fellows Programme students receiving such a warm welcome from their higher education institution as it is in this kind of supportive environment that we see students thrive. It will be very rewarding to see where each Fellows’ path takes them during their time at National College of Ireland and beyond.” ~ Brian Hearne, ICOS Policy and Communications Manager.
In recognition of National College of Ireland’s dedication to education and sustainability, we were delighted to present each scholar with a special gift at the coffee morning. Each scholar received a tree planted in their name through the Ireland Community Tree Planting project in County Clare. This tree will symbolise their growth here at NCI, and stand as a symbol of our scholar’s connection to Ireland, and to NCI’s broader mission of growth, renewal, and sustainability.
Learn More About NCI’s Partnership with Tree Nation.
The Ireland Fellows Programme is fully funded by the Irish Government, offered under the auspices of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The implementation of the programme in Ireland is supported by the Irish Council for International Students, and the programme is managed by the relevant Embassy responsible for eligible countries.
The Ireland Fellows Programme enables students to enjoy a prestigious, world-class, quality education while also highlighting the best that Ireland has to offer in education. A range of strands are offered under the programme.
National College of Ireland proudly participates in the Irish Aid Fellowships and this year, we are delighted to welcome the brilliant students who have been awarded these scholarships.
In the academic year of 2024/2025, students from Sierra Leone, Cambodia, Palestine, and Ethiopia will be studying at National College of Ireland, ranging in subjects from HR Management to Finance, to Marketing to Entrepreneurship. Getting to know these new students has been a pleasure. We look forward to getting to know them more as the year progresses, and we hope they will enjoy their chosen courses.
More than 2,000 students have studied in Ireland over the past forty-five years as part of the fellowship programme. Students awarded these scholarships bring a unique perspective with them, and their insights and experiences enrich the educational experience in Ireland. So not only are these brilliant students learning and deepening their own skills, but they are also adding to the colleges they are part of. Education is the key to development. The Ireland Fellows Programme aims to provide all students with leadership potential and opportunities to undertake a master's course in an Irish institution. This year is a significant year as 2024 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Irish Aid Programme. This is a remarkable achievement, one that illustrates Ireland’s commitment to growth, to education, and to fostering potential.
Read More About the Ireland Fellows Programme Here.
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