Assembly Marks Five Years of Bursary Programme

The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mr William Hay MLA today hosted a reception in Parliament Buildings to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Assembly's Bursary programme. Organised in conjunction with Queen's University, the post-graduate programme leads to a Masters in Legislative Studies and Practice and has provided 33 bursaries since its launch five years ago.

This programme is the only Masters of its kind in Ireland or the United Kingdom. It benefits those wanting to play their part in future political life, whether as MLAs or public servants, and gives them an opportunity to gain experience in a working legislature.

The reception provided an opportunity for the Assembly to recognise the students' work and for current Bursary students to give short, informal presentations on their work during their placement.

Speaking at the reception, Speaker Hay said, "I am very pleased to celebrate five years of the Northern Ireland Assembly Bursary Programme and to recognise the students who have participated. During my time in office, this is a scheme in which I have taken keen personal interest as there is huge value in giving young people the opportunity first hand to understand how this legislature works, particularly in the context of a wider perception of young people being disinterested in politics.

"The programme has proved very successful, with past students progressing on to a range of posts such as an Internship in the European Parliament, working in the Scottish Youth Parliament and working with MLAs and political parties. I have greatly enjoyed my interactions with the Bursary students over the years and I am always struck by how much they take away from seeing directly the amount of work it takes behind the scenes to make the Assembly operate, something which does not come across in the media."

Professor Ellen Douglas-Cowie, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students, Queen's University said: "Queen's has been very pleased to be a partner in the Assembly Bursary Scheme. Not only has it given a number of students an unrivalled opportunity to learn about the way government works, it has shown how successful partnerships between government and academia can be. I am confident that we will be building on this success in the years to come."

Pictured at a reception to mark the fifth anniversary of the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Bursary Programme are: back row (l-r) Bursary students Stephen Orme, Martin McTaggart and Christopher Buchanan. Front row (l-r): Bursary students Laura Steele, Clare Rice; Professor Ellen Douglas-Cowie, Pro Vice Chancellor for Education and Students, QUB; Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly Mr William Hay MLA; Professor Rick Wilford, QUB; and Bursary students Megan Ward and Conal O’Hare.