University of Galway unveils engineering scholarship with Mayo's Fort Wayne Metals
THE University of Galway has announced a new partnership with Castlebar-based Fort Wayne Metals, a world leading manufacturer of medical grade wire and components, to provide scholarships and bursaries to engineering students.
The five-year partnership will be open to high-achieving students of mechanical engineering, while it will also provide internship opportunities for exceptional female students.
Welcoming the partnership, president of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said: “Meitheal is an Irish word used to describe the old practice of people coming together pooling talent and resources to complete the harvest. Working closely with our industry partners, we are confident of our capacity to inspire and lead a meitheal to the benefit of our region, our country, and our world.
“I am delighted that the meitheal approach is evident in engineering at University of Galway, driven as it is by close collaboration between us and industry to solve shared problems, and enhance outcomes and I thank all our colleagues who contribute to making it so.”
The Fort Wayne Metals Scholarship will facilitate travel for two outstanding students in mechanical engineering to study at Purdue University (August to May each year), and intern with Fort Wayne Metals Ireland (May to September each year).
Separately, the Fort Wayne Metals Bursary will recognise and reward the potential of exceptional female students with an annual award to one student who is selected to complete their internship at Fort Wayne Metals Ireland.
The Fort Wayne Metals Scholarship will be open to all third year mechanical engineering students. The Fort Wayne Metals Bursary will be open to all third year female mechanical engineering students for the academic year 2022/23.
Michael O’Donnell, managing director, Fort Wayne Metals Ireland, said: “Fort Wayne Metals are delighted to partner with the University of Galway on these scholarship and bursary programmes for engineering students. Key to the success of our industry is the development of talented engineers and we are proud to be able to collaborate with the University of Galway in making this funding available.”
Shauna Crossan, strategy development manager, said: “Fort Wayne Metals has a successful relationship established with Purdue University over many years, with our headquarters based in Indiana. It is great for Fort Wayne Metals Ireland to be part of this association in the future, to provide funding and industrial experience for talented engineers.”
Mary Dempsey, vice dean for equality, diversity and inclusion in the College of Science and Engineering, said: “Working in partnership with our industry partners, we are better able to attract the best and brightest students and support them in their learning to become global citizens in an engineering ecosystem. The mobility and placements offer a rewarding environment which supports diversity, innovation and excellence. It will also accelerate our undergraduate students’ capacity for leadership and global curiosity.”