Atlantic Technological University and AbbVie launch educational STEM partnership

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and AbbVie have announced a new five-year educational partnership. 

The agreement includes the establishment of a new ‘AbbVie Scholarship’ programme which supports future science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talent.

The new partnership reflects the university’s and biopharmaceutical company’s ongoing support for talent development with the launch of the AbbVie Scholarship programme and the naming of the main auditorium at ATU Sligo campus as the ‘AbbVie Auditorium.’

The AbbVie Scholarship programme will support students from less advantaged and under-privileged backgrounds by providing an annual bursary to support the cost of attending third level education. The initiative is designed to ensure more students have access to opportunities in STEM.

As part of the agreement, AbbVie will continue to support STEM events, such as the renowned Sligo Science Festival, which aim to encourage young people to explore their options in STEM.

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AbbVie will also have the honour of naming ATU’s main auditorium, which will be known as the ‘AbbVie Auditorium’. This 280-seater state-of-the art auditorium is architecturally designed and centrally located in the Sligo campus. The auditorium serves as an inspiring teaching space throughout the academic year and is also host to high profile industry and academic conferences, as well as community events.

AbbVie has two facilities in Sligo, one in Ballytivnan and the other on the Manorhamilton Road, employing more than 500 people in total. Atlantic Technological University has nine campus locations across the west and north-west region - including Letterkenny and Killybegs - offering over 600 academic programmes with over 26,700 students enrolled across full-time and part-time programmes.

Commenting on the new agreement, Michelle McNulty, Site Head at AbbVie Ballytivnan, Sligo said: “We are delighted to be announcing this new educational partnership and further strengthening our longstanding educational relationship with ATU. As a company that is driven by innovation and discovery, we are confident that this investment will help to nurture local talent from all backgrounds and provide a platform for future groundbreaking advancements in science.”

AbbVie actively engages with students and graduates throughout their educational journey, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting the next generation of STEM professionals. The company has a proud tradition of offering dynamic and well-structured graduate programmes designed to develop future leaders and employees.

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Michael Gallagher, Site Head at AbbVie Manorhamilton Road, Sligo welcomed the new partnership, saying: “We believe it is essential to be proactive in ensuring a robust talent pipeline for all companies involved in STEM areas in Ireland. This new collaboration underscores our ongoing commitment to supporting STEM education and career pathways within our local communities and universities. It also highlights the diverse opportunities available in the pharmaceutical industry. We are excited to see the future innovations that this partnership will inspire.”

Dr Orla Flynn, Atlantic Technological University President, said: “This collaboration with AbbVie represents a significant investment in the future of our students and the broader STEM community. The establishment of the AbbVie Scholarship programme and the continued support for STEM outreach will have a lasting impact, helping to shape the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.”

The five-year agreement between AbbVie and ATU is a commitment to ensure students, regardless of background, have the resources and support needed to explore career opportunities in STEM. 

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