Queen’s University and DkIT announce transformative scholarship opportunity

The first joint PhD programme between Queen's and Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) is set to support key research in AI through a fully funded scholarship.

The Tiernan QUB-DkIT Postgraduate Scholarship will fund PhD research across the thematic areas of Healthy Living for All, Secure Connected Intelligence, and Transformative and Sustainable Economy.

Welcoming the scholarship, Queen’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Ian Greer, said:

“The partnership between Queen’s and Dundalk Institute of Technology gives us an opportunity to build on our education, research and cross-border collaboration to boost the Dublin-Belfast economic corridor.

“We are extremely grateful to the Tiernan family for supporting this first ever joint scholarship. AI is transforming the way we live, work and do business, and this investment will help drive research and innovation, delivering benefits for education and the wider economy across the island.”

Dr Diarmuid O'Callaghan, President of Dundalk Institute of Technology, said:

“It is fantastic to launch the first ever scholarship between Queen’s University Belfast and Dundalk Institute of Technology, marking another notable collaboration between both institutes. AI is having a rapid impact on education and global society and further research in this area is vital.

“It is particularly fitting to have such a generous initiative funded by Declan Tiernan, who has ties to Dundalk. I look forward to seeing the impact of this wonderful initiative across the region.”

The family behind the groundbreaking scholarship are long-term supporter of the University, Declan Tiernan and his wife Philippa. Declan, a Queen’s University graduate, former Senate member and part of the Queen’s Foundation Board, which supports philanthropy at the University, said:

“Education can be transformative; it certainly transformed my life.

“I grew up near Dundalk Institute of Technology and studied at Queen’s so when the opportunity arose to establish this scholarship, it resonated with me.

“We are delighted to play a part in creating opportunities for talented researchers to develop their expertise. It is particularly important to us to support key research, particularly taking the opportunity to support all island research and collaboration.

“The Dublin-Belfast corridor is probably the one of the most important economic regions on the island and Dundalk is at its heart. I hope this partnership between Queen’s University and Dundalk Institute of Technology, and the provision of this scholarship, will pay huge dividends for research and innovation across the whole island.”