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NI’s brightest pupils battle it out for free Queen’s education
Pictured at Riddel Hall on the final selection day with Queen’s graduate and star of RTE’s Dragon’s Den programme Ramona Nicholas (L) and Anthony McGrath (R), is Rebekah Milligan, Victoria College, Belfast
Fifty of Northern Ireland’s brightest and best pupils have competed against each other to win one of ten free places at Queen’s.
Beginning this September, the Queen’s Scholars awards are designed to reward excellence and are aimed at students who excel in all aspects of their lives, both inside and outside the classroom.
The ten successful students, who will find out in August how they have done, will have their tuition fees paid in full for the duration of their course at Queen’s.
Schools and colleges across Northern Ireland were each invited to nominate two students who could demonstrate exceptional notable achievements outside academic life, whether in sport, music and the arts, business and enterprise, or through community work, with a particular focus on leadership, enterprise and social responsibility. Over 140 students were nominated and the applicants were whittled down to the final 50.
At the selection event a range of business leaders, including Queen’s Graduate of the Year and RTE Dragon’s Den star Ramona Nicholas, along with senior Queen’s staff, assessed the finalists on a range of competencies including motivation, problem solving, leadership, achievement and ambition.
Organising the event, Queen’s Student Recruitment Officer Anthony McGrath said: “All 50 students who have taken part today have already proved to be exceptional students and have demonstrated outstanding extra-curricular abilities, with notable achievements outside academic life.
“Queen’s is committed to investing in the delivery of an exceptional academic and non-academic student experience, leading to excellent career opportunities for our graduates.
“In ensuring a holistic experience, our aim is to provide students with the life skills that will allow them to contribute to the Northern Ireland community, both professionally and culturally. That is why our scholarships include awards for students across all disciplines.”
The Queen’s Scholars awards are among the most prestigious available from any UK university. They are the latest addition to Queen’s annual scholarship package, which is worth around £250,000, benefits almost 200 students per year, and represents a crucial investment in Northern Ireland’s future prosperity.
