About ESBIE > Media Centre

November 2009
ESBIE & Queens University announce new Partnership

Queen’s University’s School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science has received a major boost with the announcement of a new partnership with the business energy supplier ESB Independent Energy (ESBIE). The new partnership will help support and create opportunities for Northern Ireland’s top engineering students.
The deal will see ESBIE providing scholarships to four students from the MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering programme on an annual basis. The package will include financial support, ongoing mentoring and practical experience through summer and corporate placements throughout ESB International’s many energy sites throughout Europe.

Queen’s ranks at number five in the UK for Electrical and Electronic Engineering in University League Tables and it is also a member of the prestigious UK Power Academy which is made up of the top seven UK universities for electrical power engineering.

Commenting on the initiative, Liam Molloy, Managing Director, ESBIE, said, “ESBIE is committed to supporting the business market here in Northern Ireland, not only through our competitive and tailored energy services but also by bringing our experience to bear in areas such as the renewable sector. This will ensure Northern Ireland, which has enormous potential, is at the cutting edge of business economies in the near future.
"This exciting new partnership with Queen’s is a reflection of that commitment by helping support the quality of students that enter into the workplace here.
"Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects have been earmarked as key areas that will impact our future competitiveness and ability to grow and maintain high value jobs.
"At ESBIE we believe that businesses should take the lead on this by establishing and supporting STEM initiatives and help position them as the central focus of our economy. Support is also needed from government, universities, FE colleges and schools but business can provide credible and effective leadership to support this goal.
"Queen’s has a proven track record and we are confident that supporting and working with its students is a win-win scenario. The financial and mentoring support that we will provide as well as access to our various engineering operations, including emerging businesses in the sustainable sector, will be a great aid in the development of the students. I am looking forward to seeing the long term rewards of this partnership with these students being at the heart of innovation within the engineering industry here in Northern Ireland in the years ahead.”
Queen’s School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science is one of the largest in the University with almost 150 undergraduates and over 80 postgraduate students studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Queen’s graduates in this area have a high employment rate, with 86% employed in jobs related to their degrees within six months of graduating.

"Dr Tim Littler, who oversees the management of scholarships within the School, said, “The ESBIE scholarships provide an excellent package that will support and shape the academic and career pathway of Electrical and Electronic Engineering students at Queen’s. The prestigious new scheme provides ESBIE with direct access to high calibre engineering students and offers an annual bursary and book allowance, comprehensive placement training, industrial mentoring and the prospect of a professional career with ESBIE after graduation.

"The joint scheme has been founded on a strong technical synergy between the two partners which embraces ESBIE innovation and global developments and the international reputation for high quality teaching and research at Queen’s University.”

For further information please contact:

John Conlon
ESB Independent Energy
Tel: 01 8867343
Mobile: 0871246779