Sir, – The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, thriving for over 50 years, is one of the finest examples of a movement of like-minded individuals and organisations working to deliver a common goal.
Thousands of people from across the island of Ireland came together last week to enable young people to shine in the critical subjects of science, technology, engineering and maths. Organisations such the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Education in Northern Ireland, Analog Devices, Intel, Perrigo, RTÉ, judges, teachers, parents, guardians, media outlets, and of course the talented students who entered the competition in their thousands.
What strikes us most in BT is how much our young people have their fingers on the pulse of current local and international issues that our economy and society face. Humanitarian crises, road and farm safety, same-sex marriage, climate change and health issues were among the themes they chose to address in their projects.
So many of their ideas were about improving lives and creating a better future for the world, and we departed the exhibition venue an inch taller and reassured about the attitude and aptitude of this wonderful next generation of leaders. Ireland did itself proud last week. – Yours, etc,
SHAY WALSH,
Managing Director,
BT Ireland,
Upper Grand Canal Street,
Dublin 4.
Sir, – The obituary of Sr Eileen Randles appeared on January 7th. The Loreto nun – and passionate advocate for females in education – would have been more than pleased with the photograph of our 2016 Young Scientists of the Year in the same edition. Two young minds from Loreto Balbriggan, Co Dublin (Maria Louise Fufezan and Diana Bura), in turn taught by a Loreto past pupil (Dr Niamh McNally).
Rarely can a legacy have been so vibrantly demonstrated. Extraordinary timing – or perhaps this formidable nun has found a new position of influence! – Yours, etc,
Prof DONAL O’SHEA,
Terenure, Dublin 6.