Graduation day service for US placement students

The minister responsible for education, Jane Kennedy, has congratulated 130 students from Northern Ireland who have completed a year-long study placement in the United States of America.

The Northern Ireland students, who spent a year studying in United States in over 100 universities and colleges, graduated at a special service held today, which was addressed by Victor Haslett, President of the NI Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The students, who spent a year in the States, were given the chance to study in America as part of a Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) programme called the Business Education Initiative (BEI).

As part of the programme the DEL meets BEI participants’ expenses for their year in US colleges and Universities in conjunction with fee-waived places for one academic year.

Sending a message of congratulations and support to the students, Jane Kennedy said: “Congratulations to all the students who are celebrating their graduation today. The experience gained has made a real difference to the lives of individuals who have taken part. It is rewarding to see how, each year, students returning home are more confident, more business minded and have acquired a positive and focused approach to achieving their ultimate career goal.

“BEI provides students with a challenging and rewarding opportunity to sample both US business learning and cultural awareness at first hand. It also provides those involved with a better understanding of how life and commerce in Northern Ireland is viewed on an international level."

The BEI is designed to equip local undergraduates, from all disciplines, with key business and management skills, drawing on US `best practice’ during their time in the US.

Now in its ninth year, BEI has provided nearly 1,200 undergraduates with exposure to the best of US business practice, in over 100 participating church-related institutions.

The programme was developed to provide students with a range of `real business’ skills and ultimately improve their employability.

(AMcE)