NUI Galway, in collaboration with the 30% Club, are offering two scholarships targeted at high potential women. The scholarships will go towards two part-time Masters courses, the Executive MBA and the MSc in Technology Management.
Irish businesses compare badly when it comes to female representation at board level, with an average of only 12.5 per cent, compared to 23 per cent in the US. Women accounted for less than 12 per cent of plc board appointments in Ireland last year, according to research carried out by the 30% Club in Ireland. The 30% Club is a collaborative business-led effort which aims to have 30 per cent female representation in senior management and on boards by 2020. One of the mechanisms being employed to improve gender balance on senior boards is through partnering with universities to support women undertaking postgraduate business and technology courses.
“As well as seeing 30 per cent of women on boards, we are also focused on growing the pipeline of women in management,” says Carol Andrews, Managing Director, BNY Mellon and Ireland Chair of the 30% Club. “Executive education is a powerful tool in building a career.”
Last year, Galway businesswoman Sandra Divilly fought off tough competition to win the 30% Club Scholarship for the NUI Galway Executive MBA programme. Ms Divilly said: “I am greatly honoured to be chosen to receive the 30% Club Scholarship for an Executive MBA at NUI Galway. The 30% Club is an inspiring initiative to address global gender imbalance issues in organisations. I commend NUI Galway for joining the list of successful universities across the world that support and drive the 30% Club goals. Having graduated from NUI Galway in 1996 with a degree in Industrial Engineering and Information Systems, I have since enjoyed a varied and challenging career in private industry and as a self-employed businesswoman. I am very grateful to NUI Galway and the 30% Club for providing me with this exciting opportunity to undertake the Executive MBA.”
Pictured above: Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton T.D.; Dr Niamh Nolan, NUI Galway; and 30% Club Ireland Lead, Carol Andrews
