Scholarship – Smurfit MBA Blog

IMAGE Businesswoman Of The Year Awards 2016

On The Silver Screen - The Award Winning Selfie — ‘On The Silver Screen’ – The Award Winning Selfie

On Monday evening, November 21st, among 800 guests, the winners of the IMAGE Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2016 were announced at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. The Smurfit MBA Team and IMAGE MBA Scholarship winners were delighted to join in the celebrations.

L - Editor in Chief IMAGE Magazine, Melanie Morris. R - MC Anne Doyle. — L – Editor in Chief IMAGE Magazine, Melanie Morris. R – MC Anne Doyle.

Now in its tenth year, the much anticipated IMAGE Businesswoman of the Year Awards champions trailblazing businesswomen’s contribution to Ireland’s economy and their vital role within the Irish business community at home and abroad. There were nine categories, with over 90 nominees; all inspirational, talented, not to mention glamorous, Irish businesswomen.

You can see the full list of winners here.

L-R: Susan Murdock, Davinia Anderson, Avril Donohue, Kathy O'Reilly, Ro Downing, Aisling O'Keeffe, Grace Milton, Virginia Stewart, Paula Thomas — L-R: Susan Murdock, Davinia Anderson, Avril Donohue, Kathy O’Reilly, Ro Downing, Aisling O’Keeffe, Grace Milton, Virginia Stewart, Paula Thomas

Ahead of the awards we enjoyed Winter Wonderland themed cocktails and admired the amazing, glittering backdrops by Miller & Lamb. It was a fantastic evening which left all guests feeling inspired and empowered. It was a pleasure to share it with so many extraordinary women. The Smurfit Team didn’t come away empty handed, we won the much coveted prize of ‘Best Selfie’, chosen by IMAGE and The Irish Independent.

I’m sure I speak for all guests when I say that I’m already looking forward to #BWOTY17!

To find out more about the IMAGE MBA Scholarship; application dates, entry criteria and how to apply, click here.

Avril Donohue ~ MBA Alumni Relations, Communications & Events

The Sunday Business Post – MBA Scholarship

The Sunday Business Post, in association with UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, is offering one exceptional candidate the chance of a lifetime; An MBA scholarship to an upper value of €34,500, for the Full-Time or Executive (part-time) MBA Programme, starting in late August 2017.

Over four weeks from Sunday October 30th to Sunday November 27th, applicants for the Scholarship must complete Stage 1 of the Scholarship Application Process, which involves completing a short entry form and answering 3 GMAT questions correctly.

Entrants who answer the 3 GMAT questions correctly and who also fulfill the minimum UCD Smurfit MBA entry requirements, will be invited to complete Stage 2 of the process which involves completing a full application to the Smurfit MBA Programme, if they have not already done so.

Candidates deemed eligible to be considered for the MBA Programme will then be invited for interview, with an overall winner selected by a panel of judges.

Before commencing your Scholarship entry, please review the entry criteria and terms & conditions which can be found here.

How to Apply

To enter the Sunday Business Post MBA Scholarship 2016 you must complete the online entry form by the deadline of Sunday November 27th.

Click Here to Enter

Participants who fulfill the minimum entry requirements for the Smurfit MBA, as outlined above and who answer the 3 GMAT questions correctly, will be eligible to progress to Stage 2 of the competition.

If you have any questions about the MBA Programme or application process, please email mba@ucd.ie

Avril Donohue ~ MBA Alumni Relations, Communications & Events

Newstalk MBA Scholarship

Newstalk, in association with UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, is offering one exceptional candidate the chance of a lifetime. A scholarship for the full-time or executive (part-time) MBA programme starting in late August 2016.

The scholarship worth up to €34,500 can only be used towards tuition fees on the full-time or executive (part-time) MBA programme at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School; it will be awarded to the best candidate who meets the selection criteria and standard MBA programme entry requirements.

Entrants to the scholarship competition must complete the online application form, where they will be asked to answer 3 GMAT questions correctly and submit a short essay outlining why they deserve to be awarded the 2016 Newstalk MBA Scholarship.

A panel of judges will evaluate submissions and entrants will then be invited to complete a full MBA application if they have not already done so.

Before commencing your application, please review the entry criteria and terms and conditions below.

Previous Newstalk MBA Scholarship winner, Peter Hynes, discusses the impact that winning the scholarship has had on his career and personal development, and offers advice to anyone considering applying to the Newstalk MBA Scholarship at UCD Smurfit School this year.

Closing date for applications is

Avril Donohue ~ MBA Alumni Relations, Communications & Events

The Smurfit MBA IMAGE Scholarship

Win up to €17,250 towards a Full-Time or Executive MBA at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.

IMAGE Magazine, in association with UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, is offering one female candidate a scholarship covering 50% of fees (upper value €17,250) for the Full-Time or Executive MBA programme starting end August 2016.

Selection will be based on submission of a short essays as follows:

“Tell us (in 500 words or less) about how you have demonstrated initiative and leadership in your career to date”.

A panel of judges will evaluate essay submissions and entrants will then be invited to complete a full MBA application if they have not already done so.

The scholarship worth up to €17,250 can only be used towards tuition fees on the Full-Time or Executive (part-time) MBA Programme at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School; it will be awarded to the best female candidate who meets the selection criteria and standard MBA programme entry requirements as outlined below. Applications close April 29th 2016. If you are interested in applying, please click here.

You must have a minimum university degree or equivalent professional qualification and a minimum of three years’ relevant work experience.
A panel of judges will select a short-list of candidates who will have to complete the standard MBA programme application process.
You must have already taken or be prepared to take at short notice the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Admission to the programme is subject to achieving a minimum score of 580 (full-time)/520 (part-time) on this test. Further information at www.mba.com and www.smurfitschool.ie. The scholarship winner must have taken and secured the relevant minimum GMAT test entry score by May 31st at the latest.
You must have two references, normally from current and/or former employer and/or colleague.
The Image Scholarship will be awarded to the highest calibre female candidate selected from the applications received, subject to their meeting, at a minimum, the standard entry requirements of the UCD Smurfit School full-time or executive MBA.
UCD Smurfit School reserves the right not to award the scholarship if the judging panel does not deem any of the candidates to be of the required calibre.
Final admission is subject to an interview.

Previous IMAGE MBA Scholarship winners, Davinia Anderson and Paula Thomas, discuss the impact that winning the scholarship has had on their careers and personal development, and offer advice to anyone considering applying to the IMAGE MBA Scholarship at UCD Smurfit School this year. Watch the video below:

Applications close April 29th 2016. If you are interested in applying, please click here.

Avril Donohue ~ MBA Alumni Relations, Communications & Events

The Irish Times Executive MBA Scholarship

UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School is delighted to partner with The Irish Times to offer readers the chance to win a scholarship to cover full tuition fees for a part-time Executive MBA at UCD Smurfit School, worth €30,700.

Over four weeks from Friday January 15th to Monday February 8th applicants have the chance to answer 3 GMAT questions. Applicants for the scholarship must answer the three questions correctly, submit a short form, complete a short essay and submit a copy of their CV.

Those who answer the questions correctly will be asked to submit a full MBA application form if they have not already done so. These will be assessed and successful candidates will be invited for interview. The best candidate will win the overall scholarship prize.

Hear from previous Irish Times Scholarship winners:

How to Apply:

Entrants to the scholarship competition must complete the online application form before the deadline of Monday 8th February 2016.

As part of the application process you will be asked to submit (a) personal information, (b) your current CV, (c) employer information (if applicable), (d) education/qualifications (e) a 400 word essay and (f) answers to 3 GMAT questions.

APPLY NOW

Before commencing your application, please review the entry criteria and terms and conditions.

Avril Donohue ~ MBA Alumni Relations, Marketing & Events

IMAGE Businesswoman of The Year Awards 2015

Last night, we joined almost 800 other guests to celebrate the IMAGE Businesswoman of the Year Awards at the Double Tree Hilton Hotel, Dublin. The awards, now in their ninth year, honour the incredible businesswomen of Ireland and their outstanding achievements.

'The Smurfettes' putting our complimentary selfie-stick to use! — ‘The Smurfettes’ putting our complimentary selfie-stick to use!

The room was buzzing with energy as we awaited the announcements of the awards. Presenter Pat Kenny (the “thinking woman’s crumpet”) got the evening off to a great start, reflecting on his student days and gender imbalance, and miraculously somehow managed to silence a room of 750 excited women (well done, Pat!). Mary Finan, former Chair of the RTÉ Authority and one of the founding partners at Wilson Hartnell Public Relations, gave an inspirational speech when picking up her Lifetime Achievement Award.

IMAGE MBA Scholarship Winners with Melanie Morris, Editor in Chief IMAGE Magazine L-R – Aisling O’Keeffe, Grace Milton, Melissa Camargo, Melanie Morris, Paula Thomas, Davinia Anderson

L-R – Olivia Caslin, Carley Wasechek, Paula Thomas, Davinia Anderson, Aisling O’Keeffe, Melissa Camargo, Grace Milton, Orla Nugent, Lindsey Nguyen

The Smurfit MBA was represented by both our past and present IMAGE Scholarship Winners and also two of our students who promote Women in Business via the MBA Social Outreach Committee.

Orla Nugent, MBA Programme Director and member of the IMAGE BWOTY judging panel, Olivia Caslin, UCD Smurfit Marketing Manager, and myself were also present to celebrate each of the winners and enjoy a truly fabulous evening.

IMAGE Awards 1 — L-R – Olivia Caslin, Melissa Camargo, Davinia Anderson, Carley Wasechek, Aisling O’Keeffe, Avril Donohue, Lindsey Nguyen, Paula Thomas, Grace Milton, Orla Nugent

A very special congratulations to our Smurfit MBA Alumna, Niamh Gallagher, on winning the award for Social Entrepreneurship, co-founder, Women for Election, along with her business partner Michelle O’Donnell.

Women for Election provides training, support and mentoring to women, to encourage them to become more politically active. The group was 2011 winner of the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland IMPACT award, and in 2014 the Ireland Funds Flagship Programme Award. Prior to Women for Election, Michelle spent over 17 years in the financial services sector focusing primarily in the area of multinational project management and change management, while Niamh worked as a Research and Policy Analyst at the Children’s Rights Alliance in Dublin.

Thank you IMAGE for a wonderful evening, you can see some of the highlights here IMAGE Highlights.

Avril Donohue ~ MBA Alumni Relations, Marketing & Events

The MBA Journey

The MBA was something that I was considering for a while. I can imagine there are many people like me out there – 10+ years in the work force and not sure what you want to do in 10 years time. Feeling like you have no options other than stay doing what you are doing so you apply for a couple of jobs, ‘just to see like’ you tell yourself. I my case I did not even get an interview!

Realising that I am not attractive to other employers I thought to myself ‘what will I do if something goes wrong with what I am doing now’. I had better do something. Exploring my options Smurfit was the obvious choice and the MBA part-time was the way to go. Smurfit put on a couple of typical MBA lectures for potential students. Before rushing into anything I attended two of these and I was hooked immediately. If anyone is serious about doing an MBA I’d advise attending these. You quickly realise it is not the boring old classroom lectures and I left the Michael Smurfit Business School after attending the lectures with the buzz of learning – it had been a long time since I had that feeling.

A few blank sheets ready for been filled in a exam.

Now that I knew I wanted do the Executive MBA I started reading everything I could about the course. Did you know that there are several scholarships and bursaries offered by the Business School and their partners? Before reading I didn’t. Having my heart set on doing the EMBA I set out to get awarded one of these. The obvious one is the GMAT merit based scholarship. If you can break 700 points (out of a possible 800) the you are in with a chance to win a scholarship. It is not easy, but constant persistence and you will get there.

As I write this I am 4 weeks into the EMBA at Smurfit. It is certainly not disappointing. When you are doing something you enjoy it does not feel like work. I’m chatting with the careers team and realise I made the correct decision to attend Smurfit. The careers team here are the real deal and I know my future is in safe hands!

Matthew McAllister ~ Executive MBA Year 1