After 25 years, BT Ireland has announced it is to step down “as custodian, organiser and sponsor” of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE).
Since it was first staged in 1965, the event has had only three major sponsors. It has grown to become Ireland’s leading event for young people involved in science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) – and the largest of its kind in Europe.
Many of the overall winners have gone on to win major prizes at similar competitions in the EU and US.
In recent years, entries from second level schools have increased to 2,000 projects, with 550 being exhibited annually at Dublin’s RDS and up to 40,000 people attending.
Trump’s adoption of imperial manner is a function of failure
Gerry Thornley: There is a theory France losing to England is good for Ireland, but is it?
Regretting working outside the home: ‘We’re told to parent like we don’t work. And work like we don’t parent’
Should I charge my homebird adult children rent?
BT extended the categories to include technology and it also added a successful primary schools fair and a boot camp for young entrepreneurs. In addition, it increased supports to ensure higher participation by DEIS schools, typically located in more economically deprived areas.
It said the decision was due to “realignment of the company’s strategy and structure in Ireland, following on from recently announced business unit divestments”. BT recently sold its wholesale fibre and business connectivity unit in Ireland.
BT Ireland is understood to have put some €1 million to €1.5 million into the event annually.
Prof Pat Guiry, chairman of the Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition board, said: “We would like to thank everyone at BT Ireland for their commitment to YSTE over the past quarter of a century. Their custodianship, organisation and sponsorship have elevated the exhibition to the position of national prominence that it enjoys today.”
He paid tribute to the board and staff at BT Ireland who have been involved over many years for their unwavering support, stewardship and integrity – “and for being the heartbeat of the exhibition”.
“Your commitment has enabled hundreds of thousands of young people to engage with Stem in such a meaningful way,” he added. “In line with proper governance, we, the board are opening the role of title sponsor to the market.”
Prof Guiry confirmed the exhibition would be staged in early January of next year and encouraged students to get their thinking caps on for entries into the competition.
BT Ireland managing director Shay Walsh said it was “a difficult decision for BT, taken due to strategy and organisational changes in Ireland”.
“It has been a privilege and honour to organise the Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition and we would like to thank [co-founder] Dr Tony Scott, Prof Pat Guiry, the Young Scientist Exhibition board, and the entire ecosystem who worked alongside us to inspire a passion for science, technology, engineering and maths in a generation of students across the island of Ireland.”
He said BT would be working closely with the board on a transition to a new sponsor, once their selection process is complete.
Given the very large outlay involved in staging the event and level of input required to run it, it is believed that a large pharma, biotech or IT company would be most likely to take up the opportunity. Aer Lingus was the original sponsor, followed by Esat Telecom and then BT – after it acquired Esat.
At this year’s BTYSTE, then tánaiste Micheál Martin signed an agreement between the Department of Foreign Affairs, BT and the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition board to support the staging of similar exhibitions in developing countries, notably in Africa. The concept has already been rolled out in Jordan and Kenya.
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Listen to our Inside Politics podcast for the best political chat and analysis
