Assembly Bursary Programme Welcomes First US Fulbright Scholar

The Clerk/Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Assembly Mr Trevor Reaney hosted a reception in Parliament Buildings earlier this week to welcome this year's intake of Assembly Bursary students, which for the first time in the programme's history will include a US Fulbright Scholar.

Now in its sixth year, the successful Assembly Bursary Programme is delivered in partnership with Queen's University Belfast and provides postgraduate students with the opportunity to work towards an MA in Legislative Studies and Practice.

Speaking after today's reception, Mr Trevor Reaney said: "I am absolutely delighted to welcome our seven new Bursary students and would like to take this opportunity to extend a special welcome to James Hurley from New York, our first US Fulbright Scholar.

"The Assembly Bursary programme which is now in its sixth year has been a resounding success. We have welcomed 33 students all of whom have had the unique opportunity to work at the Assembly for a year and to develop a practical understanding of how our legislature works. We have watched with pride, as some of our graduates have gone on to work and make their mark in the spheres of public service and politics.

Mr Reaney concluded: "On behalf of the Northern Ireland Assembly I would like to take this opportunity to wish our new Bursary students good luck with their studies. We trust that they will enjoy their time at the Assembly and that their hard work and dedication in the coming year will ensure their continued success and that of the Bursary programme. We also look forward to continuing our successful partnership with Queen's University and strengthening and developing our new relationship with the US-UK Fulbright Commission."

ENDS

Back Row: L-R Christopher Eisenstadt (Bangor), James Hurley (Fulbright Scholar, New York), Jayne McGlaughlin (Antrim), Peadar Ó Lamhna (Monaghan), Dione Todd (Omagh), Daniel Donnelly (Belfast), Anna McDaid (Belfast)

Front row: L-R Mr Trevor Reaney Clerk/Chief Executive, Principal Deputy Speaker Mr Mitchel McLaughlin MLA