Ballymoney students embark on career journey

Queen’s University Belfast students Richard Surgenor and Kenneth McAneaney from Ballymoney, have been selected to take part in IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience) which sees students from all scientific and technical disciplines undertake work placements across the globe.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Jul 2015, 08:00 BST
From Left: Richard Surgenor (Ballymoney), Kenneth McAneaney (Ballymoney) and Samuel Scott (Carrickfergus) have been selected to take part in British Councilâ¬"s IAESTE programme. Through IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience), the Queenâ¬"s University Belfast students will work in Macau, Poland and Switzerland respectively, where they hope to gain the skills needed to secure future employment when they return home. For more information visit http://nireland.britishcouncil.orgFrom Left: Richard Surgenor (Ballymoney), Kenneth McAneaney (Ballymoney) and Samuel Scott (Carrickfergus) have been selected to take part in British Councilâ¬"s IAESTE programme. Through IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience), the Queenâ¬"s University Belfast students will work in Macau, Poland and Switzerland respectively, where they hope to gain the skills needed to secure future employment when they return home. For more information visit http://nireland.britishcouncil.org
From Left: Richard Surgenor (Ballymoney), Kenneth McAneaney (Ballymoney) and Samuel Scott (Carrickfergus) have been selected to take part in British Councilâ¬"s IAESTE programme. Through IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience), the Queenâ¬"s University Belfast students will work in Macau, Poland and Switzerland respectively, where they hope to gain the skills needed to secure future employment when they return home. For more information visit http://nireland.britishcouncil.org

Richard, who is currently in his fourth and final year studying for a Masters in Chemistry, will spend the summer working for the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, at the University of Macau. Here the 22 year-old hopes to gain a better insight into Chinese herbal medicines.

He said: “I’m fascinated in the chemistry of medicinal natural products, so working in Macau, where Chinese medicine has such a rich history and cultural significance, will give me the opportunity to gain practical experience with these biologically important molecules.

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“Travelling to Macau will also be an excellent opportunity for me to broaden my horizons, meet new friends and experience the interesting fusion between traditional Chinese and Portuguese culture that Macau has to offer.”

Kenneth meanwhile, will be spending his summer working for an energy company (Biuro Studiow i Projektow Energetycznych) in the city of Poznan, Poland. The electronic engineering student, who previously attended Dalriada, Ballymoney, is most looking forward to gaining experience in system design work.

The 23 year-old stated: “The company has a great focus on design and consultation, so this placement is a real opportunity for me, especially since my goal is to have an international career.”

The boys will be joined by 16 other students from across Northern Ireland in the IAESTE programme, with placements taking place in countries as diverse as South Korea, Hungary and the United States. It is hoped that the skills they gain with IAESTE will significantly contribute to their future employment prospects when they return to Northern Ireland.