Student Hannah Clancy, the inaugural recipient of the new University of Galway Meissner scholarship, with John O’Shea, site lead and director of operations, Meissner. Also in the photo is Nicola Rees (left), associate director of development, University of Galway, and Daniel Savery (right), widening participation officer, University of Galway Access Centre. Photo: Aengus McMahon

University scholarship supported by Mayo-based Meissner awarded

UNIVERSITY of Galway has awarded the inaugural Meissner scholarship to first year Bachelor of Commerce student Hannah Clancy.

This new four-year scholarship supports students from Connacht who are studying at the university through the HEAR (Higher Education Access Route) programme.

The scholarship offers an annual financial award and access to ongoing support from Meissner staff, as well as the opportunity for a potential work placement with Meissner, whose European manufacturing facility is situated in Mayo.

Hannah Clancy, from Dromahair, Co. Leitrim, said: “I am delighted to be the first recipient of the new Meissner scholarship. A scholarship of this calibre will allow me to focus on my studies and receive the best possible education here at University of Galway, so that I can excel in my future career.

“I am grateful to the management team at Meissner and to the staff of the University’s Access Centre for providing me with this incredible opportunity.”

John O’Shea, site lead and director of operations, Meissner, said: “As a company Meissner is committed to helping better the communities in which our employees and their families live. We are proud to further expand these initiatives with the addition of this scholarship in partnership with the University of Galway.

“In Hannah we are supporting a person with a clear vision of what she wishes to achieve in life to help make a positive impact in her community. In awarding this scholarship, we hope to empower Hannah to achieve her goals at the University of Galway and beyond.”

Daniel Savery, widening participation officer with the University of Galway Access Centre, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Meissner for their generosity in supporting our students at University of Galway. The Access Centre supports students from underrepresented backgrounds in higher education, ensuring that our university student body reflects the diversity we find more broadly in society. The Meissner Scholarship will help to ensure the most in need will have the financial resources to reach their full potential.”

Meissner is headquartered in Camarillo, California, with its European manufacturing facility situated in Castlebar.

Meissner designs and manufactures advanced microfiltration products and One-Touch Single-Use Systems for use in critical applications across the pharmaceutical, bioprocessing, biologicals, laboratory, microelectronics, industrial, and chemical industries.