Intel Shannon invests €800,000 in scholarships for women #WIT10
A special event was hosted at the Savoy Hotel in Limerick on October 1st to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Intel Shannon Women in Technology Scholarship programme.
The Intel Women in Technology Scholarship programme provides a unique opportunity for Intel to encourage a new generation of high-achieving young people to take up the challenge of a career in science and technology. The programme invites applications each year from girls completing Leaving Certificate and going on to begin 3rd level degree courses in science and technology related disciplines. The scholarship involves a €3000 award for each year of the degree as well as the provision of an Intel mentor and the opportunity to complete summer internships at the Intel Shannon facility.
Recipients of the Shannon Women in Technology scholarships are pictured with Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan
10 years ago when the initiative first began the Intel site in Shannon employed approximately 130 people, primarily in research and development roles in silicon and software design, and just 8% of the overall population in these technical roles were female.
Today Intel Shannon employs almost 300 people and the representation of women in the workforce is now over 16% increasing to as much as 40% in some of the campus’ software teams which have seen the largest growth in recent years. The Women in Technology scholarship programme has been a crucial element of the overall strategy to increase gender diversity and since it was first introduced over €800,000 has been invested in the programme.
The 10th anniversary of the scholarship programme was celebrated at a special event which was attended by Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan, who was also joined by Sandra Rivera, Vice President of the Intel Data Center Group and General Manager of the Network Platforms Group and Intel Shannon General Manager Brian Aherne. The ceremony brought together past and present scholars of the programme and also was an opportunity to award the latest round of scholarships to 7 new recipients as well as the renewal of 8 existing scholarships.
The 2015 recipients of the scholarship awards are attending University of Limerick, NUI Galway, Galway / Mayo Institute of Technology and University College Dublin and have just embarked on undergraduate programmes in technology focused courses such as Electronic and Computer Engineering and Computer Science.
Over €800,000 has been invested in the Shannon scholarship programme since
it began 10 years ago
Speaking at the event Minister Jan O’Sullivan remarked, “I am thrilled to be involved in celebrating 10 years of the Intel Women in Technology Scholarship. Encouraging more young women to have an interest in and to acquire STEM skills and move into STEM related careers will help Irish companies secure the talent they need to remain competitive on the domestic and international stage. The strongest talent pipeline for the future is one which is fully representative of both women and men as the demands oftomorrow’s economy will be complex and dynamic, requiring a diverse mix of skills and perspectives”.
Also speaking at the event was Vice President of the Intel Data Center Group and Sandra Rivera who added, “Intel has committed considerable investment to diversity, because it has a proven correlation to business success. Programmes like the Intel Women in Technology scholarship programme play a critical role in strengthening the pipeline of the technology workforce.”
“At the heart of Intel Shannon’s growth and success for the past number of years has been a diverse and dynamic workforce” added Brian Aherne, General Manager at Intel Shannon. “With talent being such a core ingredient to our success it is clear to see why we are passionate about encouraging and inspiring the next generation of tech innovators and this programme exemplifies not only our commitment to education, but also our commitment to diversity. We have invested over €800,000 in this programme since it first began and I am extremely proud of how the programme has developed with 37 scholarships being awarded since 2006”.
Further information about Intel’s scholarship programme
Each year the program offers scholarships valued at €3000 per annum as well as opportunities for work placements on the Intel Shannon campus and the provision of an Intel mentor. The total invested since the programme began is now over €800,000 with 37 scholarships being awarded in total since 2006. The amount of time invested in the programme by Intel volunteers is in excess of 2500 hours and since the initiative was first introduced 55% of those receiving a Women in Technology scholarship have gone on to work at Intel Shannon.
Minister Jan O’Sullivan attended the special ceremony to award the new and existing Women in Technology scholars
The full list of 2015 new scholarship recipients is as follows:
- Eimear Fitzgerald, Ballinagarry, Co. Tipperary attending University of Limerick
- Helena McGough, Athenry, Co. Galway attending NUI Galway
- Louise Daly, Ennis, Co. Clare attending University of Limerick
- Daire Ní Chatháin, Kilmaley, Co. Clare attending Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology
- Deirdre O’Connor, Tullamore, Co. Offaly attending NUI Galway
- Ciara McEllistrim, Tralee, Co. Kerry attending NUI Galway
- Lily Burke, Co. Galway attending University College Dublin
Application forms, closing dates and all other relevant information are posted on the scholarship website. Information on the scholarships may also be obtained by contacting school Career Guidance teachers, colleges Careers Office or by contacting Intel Shannon by e-mail at shannon-scholarships@intel.
A similar scholarship program is offered through Intel in Leixlip with applications being accepted until October 18th – details can be found by clicking here.
