Dún Laoghaire Further Education Institute alumnus, Richard Greene, has been awarded a Higher Education Scholarships for Adult Learners from Registered Charity Uversity to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Furniture Design & Manufacture at Galway Mayo Institute of Technology. Uversity has offered 41 Scholarships to adult learners to commence Bachelor’s Degrees at twenty-one different higher education institutions on the island of Ireland in the 2020/21 academic year. Profiles of all Uversity Scholars can be found here.
Having worked in high profile restaurants for a decade, Richard embarked on a journey to find a more fulfilling vocation. With a background in antique furniture, an appreciation of art and design and ability to work with his hands and solve practical problems, Richard has successfully completed Level 5 and 6 courses in Furniture Design and Making in the Dún Laoghaire Further Education Institute. With his degree, Richard intends to gain experience in a professional workshop, while setting up his own workshop to build a reputation for quality furniture restoration and bespoke design and solutions for clients in their home and work environments.
Uversity’s scholarships are intended to remove financial barriers so adult learners can unlock their potential and realise their ambitions. Uversity’s scholarships provide multi-annual financial support for recipients to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree for the first time in participating third level institutions in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. Scholarships can be in any subject area and are tailored to recipients’ financial circumstances to cover the costs associated with higher education.
Successful candidates must be able to demonstrate academic potential, a clear motivation and ambition for returning to education, a drive to succeed, strong work ethic and financial need. Uversity is particularly keen to support candidates who have an ability to be transformed and transform others as a result of this scholarship and educational experience.
Welcoming the 2020/21 Scholars, Uversity’s Interim Chair Brian O’Sullivan remarked, “We’re really delighted in this difficult year to have found 41 individuals with the drive and the ambition to take the courageous step to change course and attend university having not had that opportunity at an earlier stage. Uversity scholars demonstrate huge potential to be successful in their chosen fields of study. They have a vision for how to apply their degrees to advance.”
Speaking about this year’s Scholarships and virtual events planned for Uversity Scholars, Uversity’s Chief Executive Officer, Colleen Dube said, “Uversity’s scholarship programme is continuously evolving and adapting. This year we received close to 650 applications and are astounded by the ambition and determination of the candidates to pursue their Degrees in spite of the challenges posed by COVID. Uversity is committed to providing our Scholars with financial as well as professional and personal development support. The virtual fora that we have initiated for our new and existing Scholars will provide an invaluable opportunity to create community and camaraderie in a time of uncertainty.”
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION / PHOTO CONTACT
Colleen Dube, CEO
M: 087 905 1222 || E: cdube@uversity.org
Registered address is: IFSC House | Custom House Quay | Dublin D01 R2P9 | Ireland