Naughton Scholar Awards
Stanley Quek Theatre, TBSI
23rd September
Taoiseach, Naughton family, Naughton Scholars, Ladies and Gentlemen:
Good afternoon, and welcome to the Quek Theatre in the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute for this great occasion: the presentation of awards to the new Naughton scholars.
Today we recognise the ambition and talent of students in science, engineering, technology, and mathematics – called the STEM subjects. We celebrate the increased focus, across the country, on these disciplines, which are so important to innovation and to driving the Ireland’s economic development. And we celebrate the generosity and vision of the Naughton family, who have been instrumental in enabling this increased focus.
Today thirty-six new students are presented with the awards they have earned for their ability in the STEM subjects. This is a great achievement for them personally - they could not be starting off their college years in a better way. It’s also a great achievement for their parents and schools who have nurtured such ability. And it’s wonderful for universities to be able to enrol such dedicated students. Finally, it’s great for the whole country to be incubating this level of talent.
In just a few years these students will be in a position to contribute to society through research, employment, or entrepreneurship – or indeed all three.
The Naughton scholarships were initiated a decade ago now, in response to universities reporting that they were not getting enough good applicants to the STEM subjects; and employers reporting that there were insufficient talented applicants for jobs in engineering, technology, science, and computer science.
Such jobs are particularly critical to a country’s innovation and competitiveness, so the issue of third-level admissions to STEM subjects is of national concern.
At the same time, the country is confronting another issue: the rise in the expense of studying at third level. It costs to educate someone to university degree level and beyond and, in an increasingly competitive and globalised world, costs keep rising.
In Ireland, most costs for providing undergraduate education are borne by the state. But students are required to share some costs. And of course there is also living and accommodation to consider. For some students, the expense can seem prohibitive.
No-one of potential should turn away from third-level because of financial concerns: that makes no sense, either at the private level of the individual – since education is the means through which we turn around our lives - or at the public level of society and the economy, which needs bright, skilled workers.
Various solutions have been suggested. The issue is under continuing debate. In the midst of such concerns, the Naughton family stepped in, bringing action.
They knew how crucial these issues are; they also knew that the proposed solutions would take time to have effect, and in the meantime, talented students were coming through secondary school every year. Their potential risked going to waste.
The solution the Naughtons came up was strong, simple and impartial: to provide scholarships for exceptional students to study science, engineering or technology at any Irish third-level institution of their choice.
The Naughton scholarships were started in 2008; by the following year this country was in recession. Throughout the difficult years the Naughton scholarships provided light and hope – to students, schools, universities, communities, and to the whole country.
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The Naughton scholarships are a community initiative in the best sense. So it’s particularly appropriate that the whole Naughton family is involved, and we’re delighted to see them here today. That this is a family initiative gives special heart and value to these scholarships.
In Trinity, some of our original Naughton scholars from 2008 and 2009 are now pursuing PhDs with us. They are contributing original research, linking with industry, and providing important support to our academic and teaching programmes. This is a palpable achievement of these scholarships, in just a few short years.
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To the new Naughton scholars, our 2017 scholars: all of you have been singled out to receive these scholarships as reward for your excellence and ambition. You are getting the best possible start to university life. You will of course have a dream for your career and your life. Having been given such a start, it’s now your responsibility to hold on to that dream and pursue it tenaciously.
We will help you all we can.
In your turn, during what I hope will be long and successful careers, I can wish you nothing better than that you, like the Naughtons, will help others.
Thank you.
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