Dreams realised for 68 lucky students as Bank of Ireland awards new third level scholarships

Millennium Scholars Trust €7m spend has given the gift of education to almost 500 students

Bank of Ireland?s Millennium Scholars Trust has awarded 68 new scholarships for third level education and announced that a further 200 places will be made available for the last two years of the scheme, valued at over €5.5m. At a ceremony in Dublin yesterday (19th December 2007) this year?s successful applicants celebrated their awards which range in value from €3,200 per annum or up to €38,000 for the duration of their studies. These 68 lucky students come from a diverse range of backgrounds but all share the exceptional qualities of motivation, commitment and the drive to achieve their life goal.

Speaking at the ceremony, the 2007 scholarship recipient Louise Thomas said: "Cooking has been a passion of mine all my life and I have dreamed of completing a degree in this field for many years, giving me scope to have a real career with prospects. The funding that I have received has now allowed me take tangible steps towards achieving my ultimate goal and it is wonderful to be part of this unique group here today as we start this new phase in our lives".

The Bank of Ireland Millennium Scholars Trust was established at the end of 1999, providing a fund of €12.5m over the first ten years of the new millennium to give people who face economic, social or physical barriers an opportunity to access third level education. Now in its ninth year the Trust has spent €7m supporting almost 500 students pursue their dreams of attending college and almost 250 scholarship recipients have already graduated. A further €5.5m will be available over the last two years of the scheme to allow another 200 deserving individuals pursue their educational goals irrespective of age, background or the discipline they wish to study.

Presenting the awards, Brian Goggin, CEO Bank of Ireland, said: "For the past seven years the Bank of Ireland Millennium Scholars Trust has taken immense pride in giving access to education to wonderful people, such as those gathered here today. Whilst all of these students share the fact that significant obstacles precluded them from achieving their educational goals up to this point they also share something else in common - motivation, commitment, talent and an unquestionable clarity of vision. It is an honour for our organisation to be part of their lives and I wish each and every one of them a wonderful future as they start this new period in their lives".

At the event, Minister For Education, Mary Hanafin T.D. stressed the importance of widening access to third level education and highlighted the positive impact that increased investment, resources and partnerships has had on higher education. "Students from under-represented socio-economic or cultural groups, mature students and students with a disability are participating in third level education in greater numbers than before."

ENDS

20th December 2007

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Dermot O'Sullivan
Millennium Scholars Trust
Bank of Ireland
Tel: 01 6044316
E: Dermot.O'Sullivan@boimail.com

Deirdre Kingston
Group Corporate Communications
Bank of Ireland
Tel: 01 6043788
E: Deirdre.Kingston@boimail.com

Millennium Scholars Trust

NOTE TO EDITORS:
The Bank of Ireland Millennium Scholars Trust was established in November 1999 to provide substantial funding to talented individuals who wish to pursue further education but who are prevented from doing so due to economic, social or physical barriers. The Bank of Ireland Group allocated €12.5m to fund the Trust, which is governed by a board of independent Trustees. It is expected to award close to 700 scholarships when it concludes in 2009, making it the largest single millennium initiative from either the State or private sources and the largest privately funded scholarship scheme.

National College of Ireland administer the Bank of Ireland Millennium Scholars Trust on behalf of the Bank. Applications for scholarships are supported by over 900 registered nominating bodies that include schools, universities, local community groups and arts and cultural groups. The nominating bodies are key to the high calibre of applications received.