KPMG has once again shown its commitment to developing future business leaders by announcing a new cohort of scholars at Queen’s University Management School.
The KPMG Scholarship Programme, developed in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast, aims to remove barriers to higher education by offering financial assistance, professional guidance and real-world experience at the firm to students throughout their degree.
Each scholar receives £3,000 per year to support living costs, along with a dedicated KPMG mentor who provides advice and career insight during their studies.
The programme also includes two paid summer internships that give students the opportunity to develop their skills in a professional setting and build connections across the firm. Many scholars progress to secure a graduate role with KPMG, strengthening its pipeline of local talent.
The initiative is an important part of KPMG’s commitment to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities it serves – across background, experience, ethnicity, gender and socio-economic circumstances.
Johnny Hanna, Partner-in-Charge of KPMG in Northern Ireland, said the continued success of the programme speaks for itself.
“We are incredibly proud of the KPMG Scholarship Programme and delighted to be supporting students to reach their potential academically and professionally. Although still a relatively young initiative, it has already uncovered exceptional talent from across Northern Ireland, many of whom will go on to represent the firm and enrich what we do.”
He added that the combination of financial support, mentoring and hands-on internships is what makes the programme so valuable.
“Students tell us the mentoring is invaluable and the internships give them a real sense of what it is like to work in a professional environment. It was wonderful to welcome our new line up of scholars recently and we look forward to supporting them throughout their university journey.”
With another group of ambitious students beginning university and their partnership with the firm, and other students thriving as they progress through second, third and final year of their degree, the programme continues to play a meaningful role in shaping future leaders and strengthening links between business and academia in Northern Ireland.
