The SSE Airtricity Scholarship Fund has reached a major milestone this month with the funding of its 100th student. The fund, now in its fourth year, has contributed almost £360,000 to the education of students attending Ulster University and South West College. SSE Airtricity is Northern Ireland’s largest renewable energy provider, and the Scholarship Fund supports students who live in Co Derry-Londonderry and Tyrone, where SSE’s Slieve Kirk Wind Park is operational.
The SSE Airtricity Scholarship covers approximately 50% of students’ fees for applicable courses at Ulster University or South West College. While the funding is available for a broad range of subjects, including business, media and design, there is a particular emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. Through the Scholarship programme, SSE Airtricity is working with Ulster University and South West College to create greater awareness and diversity in STEM subjects, and to ultimately increase employment in those areas in Northern Ireland.
The 100th student to be awarded the scholarship is Michael Donaghy from Greysteel, who is studying Mechanical Engineering at Ulster University.
Sarah Hoolahan, Sustainability Manager at SSE Airtricity, said:
“At SSE Airtricity we place great importance on making a positive difference to the communities in which we live and work. Over the last four years, the SSE Airtricity Scholarship Fund has had a positive and lasting impact on the lives of 100 young people as they take a big in their educational journey.
“We are delighted that the Scholarship Fund has proved so popular since its inception. Working with two professional and forward-thinking partners, Ulster University and South West College, has been crucial in making the programme such a success. With two more SSE Airtricity wind farms going live in the region this year, we’re looking forward to even more people benefitting from the fund in the future."
The SSE Airtricity Scholarship Fund was launched in 2014 and is supported by the SSE Airtricity Regional Fund from Slieve Kirk Wind Park, Northern Ireland’s largest wind farm. To date it has supported 100 students with £359,008, which goes towards fees and other academic costs. The Regional Fund runs alongside SSE Airtricity’s Community Fund, which has invested £1.5 million supporting communities close to the company’s wind farms.