Cork Airport has announced a new partnership with Cork University Foundation, supporting Access UCC, PLUS programme for students from traditionally under-represented backgrounds. The new four-year partnership will fund bursaries for students wishing to further and enhance their education at UCC.
This ACCESS PLUS Programme offers comprehensive academic; financial and social supports assisting HEAR (Higher Education Access Route) scheme students to fully engage in student life to achieve their full potential. In working closely with DEIS secondary schools, the UCC Access, PLUS Programme also supports secondary education students through motivational and educational guidance enabling them to progress to third-level opportunities.
Several schools and further education colleges in the region are connected to the programme, and a dedicated Support Officer helps the students transition to university life; offers tailored in-person orientation on campus, and financial assistance.
Speaking of the new partnership, Niall MacCarthy, Cork Airport’s Managing Director, said: “Cork Airport sets out to be a positive force for good throughout the South of Ireland. We create and support thousands of jobs, directly and indirectly, in the airport, in our supply base and in tourism and hospitality businesses through inbound tourism. In addition, we are proud supporters of local arts, culture, tourism and education in the region. In this regard, we have undertaken new partnerships for social good with third-level institutions in Cork. On that basis, our team here could not be prouder of our partnership with UCC.”
Thanking Cork Airport for its support, Professor John O’Halloran, President of University College Cork said “Philanthropy has the power to change lives. This support will directly widen access to education ensuring every individual can reach their full potential, irrespective of background.”
Commending both Cork Airport and UCC for their new partnership, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jerry Buttimer TD added: “We all know the benefits our airports bring to our economy and our connectivity, particularly through enabling tourism and trade. But this partnership with UCC is a wonderful example of how Cork Airport can benefit our local communities on a very personal level, with the potential to have transformative impacts on the students to be supported.”
daa CEO, Kenny Jacobs concluded: “As a proud alumnus of UCC, I’m thrilled to see this new partnership between Cork Airport and UCC. The Access UCC, Plus Programme does so much good in supporting access to education for students. Cork Airport has always shown a strong community ethos and the new partnership with UCC is another great example of that.”
