DCU’s Centre for Talented Youth in Ireland celebrates 15 year anniversary
Wednesday 7 May 2008

Prof Ferdinand von Prondzynski, DCU President, Education Minister Mary Hanafin and Director of CTYI Colm O’Reilly

On Saturday April 26 Education Minister Mary Hanafin attended DCU for the 2008 CTYI anniversary celebrations. As part of the celebrations 300 students, ranging in ages from 13-16 years old, were presented with certificates by Minister Hanafin to mark their achievements. Since its formation in 1993 The Irish Centre for Talented Youth has identified and provided classes for over 35,000 high ability students from both primary and secondary schools from all over Ireland. This year 800 secondary schools participated in a talent search for gifted children to allow them take part in the 2008 CTYI summer programme. These students undertook the PSAT exam which is the American college entrance exam and is normally taken by 17 year olds. As a result of their excellent performance some 300 students were invited to DCU to celebrate their success.

DCU President, Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski attended the event. He said: “Nurturing the abilities and opportunities of talented people of all ages is part of DCU's core mission. But this can have the most significant effect when the support is given at a very young age. The work of CTYI will bring many benefits to Ireland for years to come, as the graduates apply their talents in the cause of national development”.

Director of CTYI Colm O’Reilly said: “This event is a very special one for these students. For many of them it is the first time that their academic talents are recognised and we hope that following on from this they can participate in the exciting college courses run by CTYI and they can realise their full potential.” This summer CTYI are running classes in Novel Writing, Gothic Studies, Philosophy, Psychology, Sports Science, Biomedical Diagnostics and Superhero Science. During the summer months CTYI will run over 100 academic courses for some 1800 students”.

CTYI is a non-profit making organisation formed to meet the needs of high ability children from all over Ireland. CTYI is partially funded by the Department of Education and Science to allow it to reach its goals. As part of the celebration of talent ceremony there was also the award of four corporate scholarships for students to attend the CTYI summer programme. Deloitte who sponsored Saturday’s event, will sponsor a student to participate in the Corporate Business programme, William Fry sponsor a student to participate in the Legal Studies course, RPS group sponsor a student for the engineering and VJK Ltd sponsor a student for the archaeology course.