Mitchell Scholarship to benefit from additional $42,000

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, today announced that his Department will be doubling its annual commitment to the George J. Mitchell Scholarship programme.

This increase by the Department, which had been contributing $42,000 a year to the programme, will help to ensure its continuation. The programme is co-funded by the Irish Government and the US Department of State.

Commenting on the increase the Minister, who is currently in Washington, said: “The Mitchell Scholarship programme provides an excellent profile for Northern Ireland universities in the United States and it is important that my Department is able to continue to support it.

“The Scholarship not only continues to emphasize and recognise the importance of higher education both in Northern Ireland and in the United States, it also plays an important role in helping to strengthen US – Northern Ireland cooperation and partnerships.”

Sir Reg continued: “I recently had the pleasure of meeting with the current Mitchell Scholars studying across the island of Ireland and believe these students are great ambassadors for Northern Ireland in the United States. I wish them every success in their continued study and in the world of work.”

Trina Vargo, President of the US-Ireland Alliance which administers the programme, welcomed the announcement. He said: “We are very grateful to Sir Reg, the Department and the Northern Ireland Government for its support. This partnership of Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and the US Congress is evidence of how we can all work together to strengthen the ties between our countries by introducing future American leaders to the island.”

The tenth class of Mitchell Scholars is currently studying at universities on the island of Ireland, with approximately 300 Americans applying every year for this competitive scholarship to study at universities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The US-Ireland Alliance is working closely with all the universities in raising their profile in the United States.

Notes to editors:

1. The George J. Mitchell Scholarship programme was established in 1998 by the US-Ireland Alliance to mark the contribution made by Senator George Mitchell to the Northern Ireland Peace Process.
2. Scholarships are awarded to outstanding US students, aged 18-30, to pursue one year of postgraduate study in Ireland (North and South) who have shown both academic distinction and the potential for leadership.
3. All media enquiries should be directed to the Department for Employment and Learning Communications Branch on 028 9025 7872. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.