The chairman of Independent Newspapers, Dr Tony O'Reilly, has set up a scholarship fund worth £20,000 a year to assist post-graduate students undertaking further study. The programme will be run by the O'Reilly Foundation, a charitable trust set up last year by Dr O'Reilly. An independent selection board, consisting of business people and academics, will assess the applicants. Former civil servant and chancellor of the National University of Ireland Dr T K Whitaker will chair this board. Two students will be sponsored for two years, although this may be extended in cases of "individual hardship or merit".
"The scholars on this programme will be individuals who have an excellent academic record and a diverse range of interests as well the potential and desire to make a significant contribution to the future of Ireland," said Dr O'Reilly.
Preference will be given to those planning their doctoral studies in business studies, law, marketing, media studies, technology and the arts. For further information write to O'Reilly Scholarship Programme, 1-2 Upper Hatch Street, Dublin 2 or telephone (01) 475 2691. Details are also available on www.oreillyfoundation.ie.
