Students celebrate successful business study in US

Around 130 local students, who have successfully completed a year of study in the United States, celebrated their success at the weekend at a graduation dinner at Belfast’s Hilton Hotel.

The students participated in the Training and Employment Agency’s (T&EA) Business Education Initiative (BEI), which is designed to provide undergraduate students, from any discipline, with international business and management skills gained in the US.

Welcoming the students and other guests representing the key partners of the programme, Mr Ian Walters, T&EA’s Chief Executive, said: “We are celebrating the seventh graduation and are now recruiting for next year’s programme.

“Since its inception, the BEI initiative has opened doors to literally hundreds of Northern Ireland students. The benefits that the students derive from this experience is incalculable in terms of widening their horizons and developing a greater awareness of international business.

“The skills and experience they have acquired in the US over the year will help to broaden their career goals. I would expect many to progress into business and management related positions following the completion of their studies. This augurs well for our next generation of business leaders and prospects for continued economic growth in Northern Ireland.”

Mr Walters paid tribute to those representing the Church related universities and colleges in the US, in excess of 100, which offer study places each year. The guest speaker at the graduation was Dr Duncan Ferguson from the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities in the US whose address challenged the students to consider what contribution they could make in future.

The Training and Employment Agency meet BEI participants' expenses for their year in the US and the participating US colleges and universities offer fee-waived study places for one academic year.

Students must be in their pre-final year of study at the time of application. HND students are eligible to apply.

Applications are now being sought for next year’s programme. Contact Business Education Initiative, Department for Employment and Learning, Commercial Union Building, 1-3 Donegall Square South, Belfast BT1 5LS or call (028) 9054 8897. (SP)