A current student and graduate spoke powerfully about overcoming financial and societal barriers to higher education as Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) celebrated 25 years of its Access service at a special event on the Athlone Campus.
The event brought together students, graduates, staff, community partners and education stakeholders to reflect on the impact of the Access programme and the opportunities it has created for learners and families across the region over the past quarter century.
Among those sharing their experiences were Master’s graduate Tikambechi Mwalughali, who arrived in Ireland as an asylum seeker before progressing to postgraduate study, and current Master’s student Martin Maughan, who spoke about overcoming barriers faced by many Travellers in education.
The Access service at TUS supports students from a wide range of backgrounds, including mature learners, students with disabilities, lone parents, students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds and members of the Traveller & Roma community.
Today, TUS Access delivers a broad range of initiatives designed to widen participation and remove barriers to higher education, including mentoring programmes, financial supports, outreach work with schools and communities, and pre-entry initiatives such as the long-running Saturday Maths programme. Among its initiatives is the award-winning Whidden Workshops: It’s Kushti to Rokker programme, which has supported more than 400 prospective Traveller and Roma students since 2020.
More than 2,150 students enrolled at the Athlone Campus are currently in receipt of SUSI funding supports, while almost 4,000 students have received assistance through the Student Assistance Fund since 2021.
Professor Vincent Cunnane, President of TUS, addressed the gathering and said:
“The success of Access over the past 25 years is built on belief, perseverance and partnership. Behind every student supported is a network of families, schools, communities and staff working together to help people find a pathway into higher education.
“At TUS, Access is not an add-on to our mission — it is central to who we are, and to our belief that talent and potential exist in every community.”
Master’s graduate Tikambechi Mwalughali spoke about rebuilding her life after arriving in Ireland as an asylum seeker and living in direct provision in Athlone.
Tikambechi said:
“When I arrived in Ireland in 2016 and later moved into direct provision in Athlone in 2017, I had dreams of becoming an accountant but I did not know how to get there.
“Financial barriers were a major obstacle, especially when I got accepted into the accounting degree programme and realised I could not afford the fees because I did not yet have my residency status. Balancing education while raising my child also came with responsibilities and pressures that were not always easy.
“The Access team believed in me even when I doubted myself. Through the Sanctuary Scholarship, Student Assistance Fund supports, and constant encouragement, they helped me continue pursuing accounting instead of settling for a path I did not truly want.
“Receiving the Student of the Year Award and securing graduate job offers from some of the top accounting firms in Ireland reminded me how far I had come.”
Current Master’s student Martin Maughan said:
“One of the biggest challenges I faced was balancing college life with the barriers many Travellers experience in education. At times, I struggled with confidence and a sense of belonging because of negative stereotypes and low expectations placed on Travellers.
“Financial pressures and managing coursework alongside personal responsibilities were also difficult. But with determination, support from TUS Access, and encouragement from my family and mentors, I kept going.
“The Access team offered guidance, emotional support and reassurance whenever I faced challenges or doubted myself. They also helped me connect with other Traveller students, which gave me a sense of belonging and community within the college.
“I’m extremely proud that I continued my educational journey and am now completing my Master’s in Social Work, something I never imagined when I first started.”
At the Coonagh Campus, a separate event was held to mark 25 years of Access serving the Midwest region.
Frances O’Connell, Vice President, Student Education and Experience at TUS, added:
“Access is about far more than entry routes into higher education — it is about ensuring every student feels supported, valued and empowered to succeed throughout their journey.
“Over the past 25 years, we have seen the transformative impact education can have on individuals, families and communities, and we remain deeply committed to continuing that work across all of our campuses and regions to assure equity of opportunity for all.”