A new bursary will be awarded to an Irish medical student today in recognition of the work of Donegal Nobel Prize winner William C Campbell.
Education Minister Joe McHugh will present the scholarship to the successful student at an event this morning. The student, who has not yet been named, has successfully secured a place to study medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland. They will receive a €5,000 annual bursary to support their academic studies.
The William C Campbell Bursary was announced by Minister McHugh this year in honour of Prof Campbell, from Ramelton, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2015 for his development of a cure for River Blindness.
Prof Campbell’s treatment has saved the sight of hundreds of millions of people in Africa, Latin America and Yemen.
In launching the scholarship, Minister McHugh said: “The aim of the award is to encourage the next generation of students to strive to replicate achievements like Prof Campbell which have transformed the lives of millions of people across the world.
“Professor Campbell is an inspiration. His life and his work has left a huge legacy and that is something I believe we need to build on.”
Minister McHugh said he hopes to see further scholarships created to honour the work, talent and legacy of all 11 Nobel laureates from Ireland.