Courses
TE Connectivity awards academic bursaries to two ATU engineering students
Two promising ATU student have received a significant boost to their future careers after being awarded prestigious bursaries, each worth €2,500, from TE Connectivity, a global industrial technology company that designs and manufactures connectivity and sensor solutions essential for a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, industrial equipment, energy, and communications.
Mayo student Kate Rooney and Galway student Shane Finnerty win academic bursaries
Two promising ATU students have received a significant boost to their future careers after being awarded prestigious bursaries, each worth €2,500, from TE Connectivity, a global industrial technology company that designs and manufactures connectivity and sensor solutions essential for a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, industrial equipment, energy, and communications.
Kate Rooney from Belcarra, Castlebar, Co Mayo, is studying Biomedical Engineering and Shane Finnerty from Recess, Co Galway, is studying Manufacturing Engineering Design. Both students are entering into their final year of their undergraduate studies in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering in ATU Galway.
The awards which are designed to recognise future engineering talent will help support the students in their final degree year and help them explore new career opportunities.
TE Connectivity is also supporting all of the department’s engineering students with the Formula Student project.
Kate Rooney says, “I have always had a keen interest in figuring out how things work and will happily solve problems for fun. This trait of mine, coupled with my interest in the world of medicine, ultimately led me to biomedical engineering. I was fascinated by the integration of engineering principles with science to create solutions to help people. One of my biggest worries when choosing engineering was that I would be stepping into a male-dominated field. I thought I might feel out of place, but I am happy to say that from day one I have been welcomed in ATU Galway and supported, both in college and during my time on placement in industry. I hope this will serve as an encouragement for other girls like me who are considering entering this field.
The bursary will make a very positive significant impact on my life and will alleviate some of the financial worries associated with college life and allow me to focus on my studies and enjoy my final year of college. I would like to thank TE Connectivity for sponsoring this generous bursary and investing in our engineering futures. It is a great encouragement for myself to see the work I have put into my studies thus far being recognised.”
Shane Finnerty says “I grew up on a farm and have always seen my father take on projects around the house, and as child this sparked my engineering interest. This interest grew in secondary school with the completion of different technical projects which led me into Common Entry Engineering in ATU – Galway. Ever since I’ve enjoyed gaining a deeper knowledge and love the engineering discipline I’m pursing.
Receiving this bursary will be a massive help finically, but more importantly it will provide me greater motivation to continue to work hard on my degree as I prepare to enter the engineering industry. I would like to sincerely thank TE Connectivity for this bursary which I am honoured to receive. I’m excited for the opportunity to have an engineer from TE Connectivity to guide me with my Major Project which will no doubt be invaluable. Thank you again for this generous sponsorship and support.”
Dr Oliver Mulryan, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering lecturer, says:
“Today was a tremendous day for our two students; I would like to congratulate both and all other students working on Formula Student.
Formula Student is an educational motorsport competition run by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (UK) at Silverstone and rolled out in ATU with the support of TE Connectivity who are contributing €5,000 towards the project this year. On behalf of ATU, I would like to thank TE Connectivity for continually supporting our students, programmes and graduates. Your support is truly appreciated.”
Eamon Walsh, Head of Dept, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, says: “We really are very grateful to TE Connectivity and the staff at the Galway operation for their continued support. This kind of industry support is so important for our students to recognise their achievements and motivate them to achieve even more that they thought themselves capable of. It is truly wonderful! We look forward to continuing to work with TE Connectivity well into the future.”
TE Connectivity is a global industrial technology company that designs and manufactures connectivity and sensor solutions essential for a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, industrial equipment, energy, and communications. Headquartered in Ireland, it employs around 85,000 people worldwide. The company focuses on creating reliable products such as electrical connectors, sensors, and wiring systems that power everything from electric vehicles to data centres. Through continuous innovation, TE Connectivity plays a key role in advancing safer, sustainable, and more connected technologies.
