First Michael O’Donnell Scholars Announced

DIT Foundation and the College of Engineering and Built Environment are delighted to announce the names of the first Michael O'Donnell Scholars. The recipients are Colm Quigley and Sean Fanning, both students on the Mechanical Engineering Honours Degree programme, and Post-Graduate student Colm Carey. The Michael O’Donnell Scholars will mentor undergraduates on two exciting projects that take a novel approach to engineering education.

Colm Carey with Naomi Mooney a 6th Year pupil in Mount Carmel Secondary School. Naomi is one of a number of pupils benefiting from the Voluntary Maths Tuition Programme

Colm Quigley and Sean Fanning will assist students on the DRIVE Project to design and build motorised Go-Karts. Colm Carey will be supervising the Voluntary Mathematics Tuition Programme which involves DIT engineering undergraduates tutoring local secondary school pupils.  Both these projects will allow DIT students to develop important skills such as design, analysis problem solving and team-work in a fun and informal setting outside of the lecture room.

Sean Fanning with students he is mentoring on the DRIVE Project

The scholars are being funded by the Michael O’Donnell Memorial Fund which supports engineering teaching and research activities in Dublin Institute of Technology. The fund was established following a substantial legacy from the estate of the late Michael O’Donnell, former principal of Bolton Street College of Technology and the first acting President of DIT. The Fund is managed by DIT Foundation, a registered charity that promotes and supports the development of DIT.

February 2011