Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) has further strengthened its position at the heart of Ireland’s polymer industry with the presentation of the 10th annual JL Goor Polymer Engineering Scholarships at a special event on the Athlone campus.
The scholarships were awarded to Anthony Ward, a Level 8 BEng (Hons) Polymer and Mechanical Engineering student, and Heorhii Zybin, a Level 7 BEng Polymer and Mechanical Engineering student. The initiative supports students pursuing careers in polymer engineering, a sector that continues to experience a significant skills shortage nationally.
The on-campus event was attended by representatives from JL Goor, Martin Brickland, Sales Director at JL Goor Materials, and Joe Wall, Director at JL Goor Machinery, as well as President of TUS, Professor Vincent Cunnane.
Established in 2016, the JL Goor Polymer Engineering Scholarships were created in response to persistent demand for skilled polymer engineers across Ireland’s manufacturing sector.
Over the last decade, each scholarship has provided a €1,500 annual bursary for three years of study (second, third and fourth year), supporting students while contributing to the development of a sustainable talent pipeline for the industry.
Polymers are the building blocks of many everyday materials, including plastics, and are increasingly driving innovation across sustainability, healthcare, energy and advanced manufacturing technologies. TUS has been involved in polymer education, research and industry engagement for more than 50 years, reflecting the long-standing importance of the sector to the region and the national economy.
The Athlone campus is home to the Polymer, Recycling, Industrial, Sustainability and Manufacturing (PRISM) Research Institute, which incorporates the Enterprise Ireland–funded Applied Polymer Technologies Gateway Centre, supporting applied research, innovation and enterprise engagement with industry partners nationwide.
JL Goor has been supplying the Irish polymer market with machinery, equipment and polymer materials for over 30 years, delivering integrated solutions to polymer manufacturers nationwide.
Professor Vincent Cunnane, President of TUS, said:
“TUS has a long-standing history of support and engagement with Ireland’s polymer industry, underpinned by decades of teaching, research and collaboration with enterprise.
Our strong research and innovation infrastructure, combined with deep industry partnerships, ensures our programmes remain industry-relevant and future-focused.
“Initiatives such as the JL Goor Polymer Engineering Scholarships play a vital role in developing the skilled graduates required to support the continued growth and competitiveness of the sector.”
For the third year running, TUS has recorded the highest graduate employment rate in the country, according to the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey published by the Higher Education Authority (HEA). The survey shows that 85.5% of TUS honours degree graduates were in employment within nine months of graduation, significantly ahead of the national university average.
Breda Lynch, Head of Department, Polymer & Mechanical Engineering, added:
“Our collaboration with industry partners is at the core of our programme design and development, ensuring our graduates are industry ready.
“As a result, our polymer graduates are highly sought after and every year, most if not all will have secured their ideal role before finishing their studies. Such is the demand within the polymer and broader medical device industry.
“We are delighted with the continued support of JL Goor, whose support of the awardees extends to invaluable mentorship and advice throughout their undergraduate and early career journey.”
