In 2017 three Scholarships were established at the School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (SMAE) at Queens in memory of SMAE student Colum McNally.  They are awarded on an annual basis and are intended to inspire and support students as they complete their degree programme.

We are delighted to announce that his year’s Scholarship recipients are Brian Conway, Andrew McConnell, and James Osborne.  Pictured above at the virtual award ceremony, are Brian, Andrew and James as well as Colum's Dad - Mark McNally, Prof. Brian Falzon (Head of School), Naomi King (Alumni Engagement and Philanthropy Office), Sandra MCMillan (SMAE) and Denise Price (SMAE). 

In his short life Colum demonstrated exceptional talent in the field of engineering and won the UK Young Engineer of the Year Award with his hydraulically operated “Agri-Hammer” in 2015. During his secondary education Colum was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and while receiving intensive treatment, he continued his studies.  Having succeeded in his A-levels he progressed to third level education gaining a place on the Mechanical Engineering pathway at Queen’s University Belfast.  While still undergoing treatment for his illness, Colum completed the first year of his studies at Queens but in October 2016 he sadly lost his battle against cancer.

Colum had a tremendous passion for life in general and engineering in particular.  In addition to his own endeavours he was always willing to help anyone both on a technical and personal basis. He was an inspirational and outstanding individual and it is very fitting that these scholarships have been established in his memory.

 

In order to be eligible for a scholarship, Stage one students in any one of our three degree programmes (Mechanical, Aerospace or Product Design Engineering), are initially required to meet a financial eligibility criterion.  Eligible students are then invited to complete an application form from which three students are chosen for the award of the scholarship which is valued at £5,000 per year for three years.  For more information on the Scholarships including terms and conditions, please visit the online Scholarships and Awards Handbook here.