These awards, managed by the Development and Alumni Relations Office, help to maximise and significantly enhance the students’ academic experience at Ulster University, by providing financial help to those who need it most, rewarding academic excellence, supporting some of our most talented athletes and helping to realise travel opportunities which enhance studies. 2018 saw the largest number of students benefitting from awards supported by philanthropy with an incredible £331,767 distributed to 145 students (43% more than last year). Many donors, alumni, staff and corporates, attended the ceremony and were moved by the very real impact their giving has on our students’ lives.
Caroline Armstrong, Head of Fundraising, Ulster University, said:
“This annual ceremony allows us to celebrate the drive, commitment and ambition of our amazing students, as well as thank our donors for giving our students the opportunity to significantly enhance their experience of academic life here at Ulster University. We now have more donors than ever before, which quite simply means we can assist more students and be more innovative and widespread in how we can enhance our students’ experience of university life.”
Ulster University Masters student Nicholas Winchester is one of the many students to benefit. Nicholas is studying for an MA in International Journalism: Hostile Environment Reporting and received an award to enable him to travel to Lebanon next year.
It is Nicholas’ ambition to work as a journalist in the Middle East and thanks to this award he will have the opportunity to apply his studies to the very real situation in Lebanon. He commented:
“I am delighted to receive this award and have the opportunity to travel to the Middle East. Lebanon has many underreported stories of value and I intend to visit refugee camps and produce a multimedia project on this important issue. Without this support from the Student Fund, I would be unable to make the trip which I have no doubt will enhance my knowledge and skills immeasurably.”
Mr Peter Coll QC was one of the first cohort of law students to graduate from Ulster University, and was made member of the Queens Counsel in 2014. Peter has been supporting the Ulster University Student Fund for some years. He commented:
“Ulster University took a chance on me and I am very happy to now be in a position where I can give something back and support students who need some extra help to achieve their ambitions. But I have realised that it is also so much more than just financial help.”
“One quote from the recent Donor Impact struck a chord with me – ‘This scholarship offers more than the much-needed financial support; it has also been a real boost to my confidence and morale and has inspired me to continue pursuing my goals.’ I am delighted to contribute in this way, along with other alumni and Ulster staff, to help such students reach their potential.”