ATU launches alumni scholarship for master's programmes to support higher education strategy

The Alumni Master’s Scholarship offers a 20% reduction in academic fees for a range of taught master's programmes across the university’s nine campuses for members of the ATU Alumni Network.

The initiative follows national reports highlighting the need for upskilling and reskilling within Ireland's workforce. The National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 highlights the urgency for lifelong learning, upskilling and the need to broaden participation in higher education.

Ireland faces a significant gap in lifelong learning compared to its EU counterparts, with only 14% of adults engaging in such programs, trailing behind Finland (31%) and Sweden (35%), according to OECD reports.

ATU, recognising the importance of lifelong learning in addressing skills gaps and empowering individuals in a changing job market, has launched the Alumni Scholarship to encourage greater participation in lifelong learning initiatives by offering a 20% discount to its alumni network.

Dr Orla Flynn, President of Atlantic Technological University, said the new initiative will help alumni respond to changing work patterns, "Our alumni are the backbone of our university, we are committed to supporting them throughout their academic and professional journeys. The ATU Alumni Network is a vast network, potentially 100,000 individuals, we want to ensure our alumni are mobilised as a workforce to respond to changing patterns of work. Initiatives like the Alumni Masters Scholarship aim to encourage participation in lifelong learning which plays a vital role in ensuring future success in the workforce."

The announcement of the Alumni Master’s Scholarship is the first of several alumni programmes that the university is introducing. Anticipated in the upcoming year is the launch of an Alumni Mentorship Programme, aimed at assisting current students in transitioning from academia to the professional world under the guidance of ATU alumni mentors. Additionally, plans are underway for the inaugural ATU Alumni Awards, an annual event designed to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of esteemed ATU alumni.

Established in 2023, the ATU Alumni Network, through the support of the Alumni Office at ATU, offers professional advancement, mentoring and networking opportunities for ATU alumni.

ATU alumni interested in applying for the ATU Alumni Scholarship 20% discount can contact the ATU Alumni Office for further information and assistance with the application process via email alumni@atu.ie or visit atu.ie/alumni.

Photo Caption: L-R Cleo Devaney Marketing and Student Recruitment Manager, Michael Gill, Head of Department of Organisational Development, Dr Michèle Glacken, Registrar & Vice President Students, Teaching & Learning, Deborah Seddon, Careers Officer, Helen McGuire, Head of School Home Economics, Lauren Reynolds, Alumni Officer

Aidan Haughey 
ATU Communications Manager /
Bainisteoir Cumarsáide OTA
Ollscoil Teicneolaíochta an Atlantaigh (OTA), Éire
Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Ireland       
Tel: +353 86 086 6913
www.atu.ie/communications