Businessman and Dragons Den judge Sean Gallagher has launched the Summer Scholars the new Summer Academic Programme for secondary school students.

“DCU Summer Scholars” is a programme run by DCU Student Recruitment and the Irish Centre for Talented Youth (CTYI). The course invites secondary school students to trial-run a real university course, meet new people from schools around the country and engage in some very exciting activities on the DCU campus. The specially chosen courses allow students advance their studies without the pressure of grades. The participants have the opportunity to experience college and attend classes covering a wide range of subjects including: biomedical diagnostics, marketing, genetics, international relations, journalism, psychology, Japanese language and culture and many more.

Well known entrepreneur and star of TV’s Dragon’s Den,  Sean Gallagher speaking ahead of the launch said, ‘‘I believe DCU Summer Scholars is a great opportunity for secondary school students. They will get the chance to try out university lectures and make lots of friends over the summer. It will help them to make better choices when they filling out their college application forms and encourage them to take courses at third level better suited to their interests."

DCU President Professor Brian MacCraith welcoming the students to the University said, ‘‘DCU is an innovative and dynamic institution. CTYI has a long record of stimulating and exciting talented students. We share the same educational philosophy and the same commitment to nurturing and challenging young people and assisting them to fulfil their intellectual potential.’’

Matheson Ormsby Prentice (MOP), Ireland's largest law firm, will be providing scholarships for students who would not otherwise be able to attend for financial reasons. Turlough Galvin, partner at Matheson Ormsby Prentice, said: "The aim of our charity programme is to help children fulfil their potential. We are delighted to work in association with CTYI to create access to university-level courses for talented secondary school students who would otherwise not be in a position to attend these courses." 

Dr Colm O'Reilly, Director of CTYI said "I think Summer Scholars is a great chance for students to try out college courses and also to meet other people interested in the same things. I would encourage anyone who is interested to attend. It's an amazing experience."