Our Scholars
What distinguishes Uversity's Scholars is their commitment to being transformed and transforming others as a result of the Scholarship and educational experience.

Meet Our Scholars
These brief profiles of Uversity’s Scholars provide an indication of their diverse experiences, locations, and disciplines. They are unified by their inspirational ambition and determination.
Ciara Hicks
Hayden Nightingale
Karen Horan
Michelle Murray
Octavian Visan
Patrick Lynch
Ciara Hicks
Ciara worked in the gaming sector prior to returning to education initially at the Cork College of Commerce. After her degree, Ciara intends to complete a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She eventually wants to “work as a mental health professional in Cork City in the public sector and provide therapies and support to people who need it and improve people’s quality of life.”
Hayden Nightingale
Hayden was motivated to return to education when he gave up his job to move back home to help care for his mother. Knowing that he “wasn’t living up to his potential” and wanted to find a career he had a passion for, he enrolled on Belfast Metropolitan College’s Access Diploma in Mathematics and Computing. After his degree, Hayden may pursue a Master’s in Corporate Governance and hopes to specialise “in the programming development side of the IT industry and more long term work on a self-employed basis and develop my own company.”
Karen Horan
Karen was brought up in a working class community and experienced the difficulties faced by the community in relation to equal justice. By working for Inclusion Ireland she built up skills in information provision. She went onto volunteer as a Citizen Information Officer, where she developed a passionate interest in Law. She recently joined the National Advocacy Service as the National Administrator where she works full-time while completing her degree. Karen intends to use her legal knowledge to give back to the community that has given her so much.
Michelle Murray
Michelle’s passion is for animal welfare, particularly horses. In 2016, she set up a project to support equine health and education with the Kildare Traveller Action group. She subsequently completed a Community Development & Leadership course prior to enrolling on her degree. She recently completed a Level 7 Certificate in Youth Studies at Maynooth University. Her ultimate aim is to set up a mobile equine health unit to help horse owners in disadvantaged and rural communities that struggle to access veterinary care.
Octavian Visan
Octavian worked for many years as a Hotel Receptionist prior to setting up his own tennis equipment business in 2014. The onset of ill health motivated him to further his education and change career direction. He has completed a Level 6 Business Administration course along with extra modules in Maths and Computerised Accounts. His work placement in Cora Systems allowed him to further develop his existing design and communication skills. With his degree, Octavian intends to start a career in Digital Marketing and open his own business in the future.
Patrick Lynch
Due to the onset of a degenerative back disease, Patrick had to cease being a self-employed carpenter. As he is also a musician, Patrick decided to pursue this alternative career path. He hopes to equip himself “with a qualification relevant to a career in music, arts and media” and to continue to develop his own creative ambitions as an artist.
Gemma McKeown
Queen’s University Belfast PsychologyGemma McKeown
Queen’s University Belfast
PsychologyGemma has previously trained and worked as a quality assurance officer and lab technician. Personal experiences have led to her desire “to pursue a career as in Educational Psychology.” Gemma’s first step on that journey was to return to education to study the Access Course in Social Sciences in the Northern Regional College. Gemma intends to continue her volunteer work with a local addiction charity while enrolled on her degree.
Gillian Fitchie
Ulster University Social WorkGillian Fitchie
Ulster University
Social WorkFor the last fifteen years, Gillian’s work in the Northern Ireland Civil Service has provided her with unique insights, experiences, skills and the inspiration to become a Social Worker. With her qualification, she intends to help vulnerable people and those who need safeguarding, especially people those who are disadvantaged due to mental health illness. To prepare for her degree course, Gillian completed the Access Diploma in Foundation Studies in South Eastern Regional College.
Hayden Nightingale
Queen’s University Belfast Computer Science Professional ExperienceHayden Nightingale
Queen’s University Belfast
Computer Science Professional ExperienceHayden was motivated to return to education when he gave up his job to move back home to help care for his mother. Knowing that he “wasn’t living up to his potential” and wanted to find a career he had a passion for, he enrolled on Belfast Metropolitan College’s Access Diploma in Mathematics and Computing. After his degree, Hayden may pursue a Master’s in Corporate Governance and hopes to specialise “in the programming development side of the IT industry and more long term work on a self-employed basis and develop my own company.”
Hazel Creaney
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Donegal Health and Social StudiesHazel Creaney
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Donegal
Health and Social StudiesHazel Creaney is a mature student from Monaghan Town, Co. Monaghan. An abuse survivor, Hazel spent many years navigating the overwhelming emotions associated with her experiences and, despite having a great interest in the areas of social justice and adult education, Hazel spent many years working in retail.
Becoming a single parent inspired Hazel to return to education and she completed the Level 5 Applied Social Studies and Psychology in Monaghan Institute and, in 2021, was awarded Student of the Year for her class group. Hazel went on to complete the Level 6 award in Applied Social Studies.
Now, Hazel is a student in ATU Donegal through Monaghan Institute and is currently undergoing a BSC Level 7 in Health and Social Studies. She hopes to progress her education further in the coming years with aim to become involved in the fields of Adult Education and Advocacy.
Inese Aboltina
Maynooth University Social ScienceInese Aboltina
Maynooth University
Social ScienceOriginally from Latvia, Inese came to Ireland sixteen years ago with very little English. Prior to having her children, she worked in the food, hospitality and airline sectors. She developed an interest in pursuing Social Care and Social Science while enrolled on One Family Ireland’s New Futures Programme. With her degree, Inese hopes to work with families in crisis, lone parents, promoting equality and supporting women experiencing domestic violence. Inese would also like to receive a Master’s degree and develop further education programs for adult learners.
Jakub Břenek
Maynooth University ArtsJakub Břenek
Maynooth University
ArtsIn 2020, while working in low-skilled jobs, Jakub enrolled in a PLC/QQI Level 5 course in Media and General Studies. This experience led to his university application, and he has recently obtained a BA in Arts, majoring in English and Anthropology. Pursuing this degree has increased his qualifications and allowed him to develop new skills. Jakub deeply appreciates the opportunity to pursue third-level education, as he was not given the chance to study when he was younger. Finishing the course with first-class honours has boosted his confidence and motivation to pursue future academic goals. Jakub is highly motivated to make a positive impact on both his personal growth and the community as a whole.
Jamaica De Guzman
Queen’s University Belfast Software EngineeringJamaica De Guzman
Queen’s University Belfast
Software EngineeringLeaving school without formal qualifications, Jamaica worked for twelve years in multinational hospitality and retail companies. During this time she was exposed to integrated software and hardware solutions which tested the depths of her knowledge of technology and capabilities in complex computational problems. Wanting to qualify as a software engineering, Jamaica enrolled on a Diploma in Computing for the Economy to prepare for her degree. Jamaica volunteers with Cancer Fund for Children, You Glow Girl Northern Ireland and the British Heart Foundation because she believes small steps can make a change in someone’s life.
James Kennedy
National College of Art & Design Fine Art and Art EducationJames Kennedy
National College of Art & Design
Fine Art and Art EducationJames grew up in a disadvantaged social environment, and experienced many of the stereo-typical challenges associated with this upbringing. James originally worked as a carpenter, and always had a passion for creativity and sharing skills. In 2020 he returned to education to study Art and Design, before being accepted into NCAD, where he is studying the joint honours degree in Fine Art and Art Education. James plans to use these degree qualifications to teach youths and adults and to help those who have a passion for creativity to find their own direction and journey in life.
The Scholarships
Uversity advertises and awards Higher Education Scholarships to Adult Learners to enrol on a Bachelor’s Degree for the first time