U.S. Educational Delegation to Visit Irish Universities

June 01, 2004

A 25-member delegation, representing colleges and universities across the United States, will visit Ireland and Northern Ireland beginning this week to examine opportunities for graduate research and study for Americans on the island. The group is sponsored by the National Association of Fellowship Advisors (NAFA), the organization for administrators on US campuses who are responsible for graduate and professional school opportunities for their students. The U.S. delegation includes administrators from a diverse range of small and large universities, including Yale, Dartmouth, the University of Washington (Seattle) and Rice University.

This will be the first-ever visit by NAFA to Ireland. Their trip stems from the widening recognition of graduate study possibilities stimulated by success and recognition of the George J. Mitchell Scholarship program, the flagship project of the US-Ireland Alliance. Launched in 1998, the Mitchell Scholarship program identifies outstanding young Americans for a year of graduate study on the island. With the fourth class of Mitchell Scholars graduating this year, the program has quickly become established in the US as one of the most prestigious scholarships for young Americans. Over 250 Americans compete for 12 scholarships annually. Last fall, when the Rhodes competition held their interviews on the same weekend as Mitchell interviews, nine of the eleven candidates who were still in both competitions opted to drop from the Rhodes competititon to seek a Mitchell Scholarship.

The Mitchell program is supported by the Irish, U.S. and British governments as well as Automsoft, BD (Becton Dickinson & Co.), Bombardier Aerospace (NI) Foundation, Cross Atlantic Capital Partners, the Crucible Corporation, and the McDonnell Charitable Foundation. Awards are made based on demonstrated records of academic excellence, leadership and community service. The Mitchell Scholarships director, Dell Pendergrast, who suggested the idea of the Ireland visit to NAFA said: "Expanding graduate study for Americans in Ireland benefits both countries. At this defining stage in American history, the global education of America’s future leaders is an indispensable, timely priority. And Americans studying in Irish universities make a contribution to the schools they attend. Additionally, Ireland’s demographics of a declining college-aged population mean that there is an economic need for paying international students on Irish campuses."

The NAFA delegation arrives on June 6 in Belfast for visits to Queen’s University and the University of Ulster. They will continue their tour in Dublin at Trinity College, University College Dublin and Dublin City University. In Galway, the NAFA members will meet with representatives of both NUI Galway and NUI Limerick. At each university, the NAFA members will have discussions with faculty and students as well as with high-level university officials.

Trina Vargo, President of the US-Ireland Alliance noted that: "Our mission to educate Americans about contemporary Ireland is enhanced by more and more young Americans living and studying on the island. Such opportunities serve to strengthen the relationship in immeasurable ways."