Irish Students Complete US Internships

Nineteen Irish Science and Engineering Graduates have recently completed a six month internship with prestigious organisations in the United States including NASA, Rice University, Texas, University of Central Florida and the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI).

The team were part of the FÁS Science Challenge Internship Programme which offers graduates the opportunity to work alongside leading experts in the world of scientific research. Selected from hundreds of applicants, they undertook projects in areas of cancer research, space radiation, biotechnology, nanotechnology and astrophysics including others fields of research.

At the closing ceremony in Texas Medical Center, Houston, Minister for Trade and Commerce, Michael Ahern said: “The Science Challenge initiative is very much in line with the Government’s strategy to invest heavily in science, education and training. No longer can we depend on FDI [Foreign Direct Investment] alone. In future, industrial and scientific endeavour will have to be harnessed in partnerships across countries and continents. We must demonstrate our own capacity to generate original research in order convince others that it is worth doing business with us, rather then simply regarding us as a potential location for outsourcing a few business functions.”

Among their mentors was Dr Ferid Murad, Nobel Prize winner in 1998 for Physiology and Medicine. Representing the Irish Aer Corp, four apprentice aircraft mechanics completed their Phase Five training with Helicopter Adventures located in Florida.

“I am confident these young people here today will be able to use their newfound experiences and contacts not just to forward their own careers but to strengthen links between the Irish and US scientific communities,” Minister Ahern added.

The Science Challenge initiative, developed by FÁS, aims to create greater awareness and involvement in Science Disciplines by students of all ages in order to meet the future needs of the labour market.

It complements the Government’s policy of ensuring that Ireland continues be recognised as a knowledge based society. In order to meet this challenge we need to cultivate and capitalise on our talent pool and encourage entrepreneurship and research in Applied Science and Advanced Engineering. The FÁS Science challenge initiative is comprised of four distinct programmes which engage young people at various stage of the learning cycle for Science and Engineering studies and exposes them to new technologies and research opportunities.

(SP)