CTYI Annual Talent Search Awards
6 May 2009

Daryl Hanberry, Deloitte, Eimhear O Brien, CTYI-Deloitte Scholarship winner, Councillor Eibhlin Byrne, Lord Mayor of Dublin and Mr David Byrne, Chancellor of DCU

The Irish Centre for Talented Youth (CTYI), based in DCU, hosted the CTYI Annual Talent Search Awards on Saturday 25 April 2009. 250 secondary school students received awards for their high academic ability with results which placed them in the top 5% of the population academically for their age.

This ceremony marks the launch of the 2009 CTYI Summer Programme where these students will join other like minded students to study subjects like Biomedical Diagnostics, Social Psychology, War and Conflict Studies, 21st Century Skills and Superhero Science at DCU in June and July. Last summer 1800 students aged between 6 and 16 took part in this programme.

These students exceptional achievement were recognised by the presentation of certificates by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Eibhlin Byrne. Special awards for the top scorers on this exam were presented by Mr David Byrne, SC, Chancellor of DCU. Four full scholarships were awarded at this event. The Deloitte award for Corporate Business was presented to Eimhear O’Brien, the VJK award for Archaeology was presented to Conor Noone. The RPS award for Engineering was presented to Kate Molloy and the DCU Learning and Innovation scholarship for 21st Century Skills was presented to Mark Laherty.

Director of CTYI Mr Colm O’Reilly said “These events are so important to recognise exceptional achievement for high ability students. Too often recognition is only given to excellence in sporting areas and students who are good academically rarely get praise for their achievements. This day is about celebrating academic talent and providing these students with a platform to fulfil their potential. In this current economic climate these students are vital for getting this country back on track.”