Mayo student awarded prestigious University College Cork scholarship

A Mayo student has been awarded the prestigious Quercus Active Citizenship Scholarship at University College Cork (UCC).

Mohammad Naeem, a former student of St Colman’s College in Claremorris was awarded the distinguished scholarship which is part of UCC's Quercus Talented Students’ Programme, designed to recognise students who have made significant contributions through active citizenship and leadership. Mr Naeem has accepted his first-choice CAO offer to study Law at UCC.

Being selected for this esteemed scholarship is a testament to the young man's unwavering commitment to active citizenship and his impactful work in fostering social change. 

During the scholarship Mr Naeem will benefit from a range of academic, financial, personal, and other resources and opportunities at UCC, including a bursary, mentorship from experienced leaders, campus accommodation, and the chance to collaborate with other talented students. 

This scholarship will enable him to pursue his academic goals while continuing his work in community development and leadership.

As one of the first recipients of the Active Citizenship strand of the scholarship from the West of Ireland, Mr Naeem has already built an impressive resume at just 19 years old. Currently finishing his gap year, he became the youngest United Nations Youth Delegate globally, representing Ireland's youth on an international stage over the past year. 

He has attended multiple UN conferences in New York, speaking on behalf of Ireland on a range of issues. Throughout this journey, he has engaged with high-level officials both in Ireland and internationally, including President Michael D. Higgins and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

This accolade is just one of many awarded to Mr Naeem, with other achievements including Mayo Young Person of the Year 2022 and Mayo Young Environmentalist of the Year 2021. 

More recently he was appointed by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to the Advisory Group on Anti-Racism as an independent expert. Here the group will monitor the implementation of the National Action Plan Against Racism

Principal of St Colman’s College, Roy Hession, said these accolades are ‘extremely impressive’.

“Mohammad will continue on this journey and the Quercus Active Citizenship Scholarship bestowed on him by UCC will enable him to expand his horizons even further and here in St. Colman’s College, Claremorris, we firmly believe that the sky is the limit for Mohammad,” he continued.

The principal expressed his pride for the work Mr Naeem ‘did as a student’, encouraging many others to ‘get involved in various areas of student life’.

“We extend our very best wishes to Mohammad and know he will continue to do himself, his family and his alma mater proud in the years ahead,” concluded Mr Hession.