Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) has announced its final call for applications to the 2021-2022 President’s Scholarship Programme.

Prof Willie Donnelly, President of Waterford Institute of Technology, urges family, friends, communities, people in volunteering organisations, and others, to encourage inspiring young people to apply for the President’s Scholarship Programme.

The €3,000-a-year scholarship for CAO applicants encourages and rewards people who “show a capacity to shape a better society”. The deadline for application is 1 April 2021.

Since 2016, the breadth of initiative shown by scholarship students has been across community, volunteering, innovation and creative spheres.

Prof Willie Donnelly, President of Waterford IT, says that the pandemic will have affected many people’s lives and the scholarship is an opportunity to reward people for the difference they have made. The scholarship is open to those who have applied to commence study at Waterford IT in September 2021.

“We are seeking exceptional applicants for the exceptional times we are in. Winning a scholarship like this will give students a great start.

“Each year up to five exceptional new first-year undergraduate students are awarded scholarships with a total value of up to €12,000 per person. Each President’s Scholar receives an annual bursary of €2,000 per year of study along with €500 per semester. President’s Scholars are also part of the Student Ambassador programme for the duration of their studies, representing the college and the academic School in which they study.”

Prof Donnelly urged others to encourage inspiring people to apply for the scholarship: family, friends, communities, sporting clubs, people in the arts, volunteering organisations.

“Among the President’s Scholarship recipients to date are exceptional individuals whom we are proud to call students of WIT.

“We welcome applications from CAO applicants to WIT who may be creative, are innovators, are leaders, or people who make significant contributions to community.

“The pandemic will have impacted many people’s lives and we would like for college applicants who have made a difference to be given the support and encouragement to apply.”

For more details see www.wit.ie/CAOscholarship.

Pictured in 2017, the first cohort of scholars who completed their studies in 2020: Cian O’Grady, student of the School of Humanities; Roisin O’Donnell, student of the School of Science; Louise Dunphy, student of the School of Business; Professor Willie Donnelly, President of Waterford Institute of Technology; Gareth Dineen, student of the School of Engineering; Hannah Nash, student of the School of Health Sciences.