Shay Murtagh was delighted to attend the STEM Passport for Inclusion Industry Engagement Awards on 11th June 2026, celebrating the extraordinary impact being created through collaboration between schools, students, and industry across Ireland.
Our Director, Gillian Murtagh, was honoured to receive a Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Individual Impact, recognising her exceptional contribution to the programme and the meaningful change she has helped inspire. Gillian also participated in a panel discussion on the importance of industry engagement, inclusion, and creating clear pathways for future STEM talent.
The event, hosted at the Mastercard Dublin offices, marked a significant milestone for the programme, with over 10,000 students now having completed the STEM Passport for Inclusion. For those unfamiliar with the initiative, STEM Passport creates an innovative pathway for students from under-served backgrounds into third level education, offering a Level 6 STEM qualification, work experience opportunities, and mentoring from industry role models.
Shay Murtagh was also proud to receive an Industry Trailblazer Award on the night, reflecting our commitment to supporting initiatives that open up the world of work to young people and help them discover opportunities within STEM and precast concrete.
The most powerful message from the evening was a simple one: talent is everywhere, and opportunity should be too.
We would like to sincerely thank the STEM Passport for Inclusion team, the mentors, educators, students, and all industry partners whose commitment continues to make a meaningful difference. Companies interested in supporting the programme, whether through financial contributions, mentoring, or work experience, can get in touch with the team at Maynooth University for more details.
