Shane Lynn from Celbridge was presented with the Intel prize for first place in Computer Engineering at a recent award ceremony in National University of Ireland, Maynooth recently after successfully completing a degree in Computer Engineering for which he also received an Intel Undergraduate Scholarship.

As part of his undergraduate scholarship, Shane completed a work placement in the Sort department in Intel. “It was a great experience and gave me a nice taste of working life. The people I worked with were good fun and I am still in contact with them. I feel the work placement as part of the course give us somewhat of a boost to our employability for the future.”

Intel funds 25 post graduates through a joint funding programme with the Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology (IRCSET). The research projects fit into four broad areas of strategic interest for Intel; silicon / nanotechnology, information and communications technology, high volume manufacturing and digital health. Projects last between three and four years, roughly the time it takes to complete a PhD research degree.

All projects are mentored by Intel Ireland employees who are selected based on proven technical competence, leadership and interest in research. Mentors provide guidance to the PhD students and their academic supervisors by communicating Intel’s technology roadmap and research challenges, thus ensuring alignment with Intel’s research efforts. Mentors partner with Intel corporate researchers and are the link through which knowledge transfers between the corporate technology groups and the university research. Shane’s PhD involves using maths and software to try to develop an accurate model of the process and activities that occur within a plasma etching machine that is used during the etching of patterns onto a wafer. His Intel mentor is Niall MacGearailt.

Commenting on the partnership between Intel and IRCSET, Martin Hynes from IRCSET said, “The benefits of having Intel on board allows for direction setting and engagement with latest technology and research advances at Intel. Not only do they benefit from this scientific environment but the emphasis on communications and team work are major contributions to their education.”

Dr Padraig O Murchú who manages the higher education programme for Intel said, “The government’s support for knowledge based economy growth is a key factor contributing to our success here. We depend on a supply of engineering and science graduates with research experience to drive technology breakthroughs in the future. Our joint funding programme with IRCSET provides an opportunity for Intel to contribute directly to the growth of new research talent in Ireland.”

Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.

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