Sianar oileanach bho Shabhal Mòr Ostaig air bursaraidh Gàidhlig fhaighinn
Tha sianar oileanach aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig air taic-airgid fhaighinn am bliadhna tron Sgeama Bursaraidh Gàidhlig a tha air a ruith le Oilthigh na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean.
Seo an fhicheadamh bliadhna den sgeama seo a tha a’ toirt taic-airgid do dh’ oileanaich ann an sgìrean na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean a tha an sàs ann am foghlam tron Ghàidhlig aig ìre Cert HE, Dip HE no BA.
Tha mòran oileanaich air taic airgid fhaighinn bhon sgeama seo bhon thòisich e, agus anns na deich bliadhna a dh’ fhalbh tha 96 oileanach bho Shabhal Mòr Ostaig air a bhith soirbheachail bursaraidh fhaighinn. A-mach às a’ bhuidheann a fhuair am bliadhna e, thàinig ceathrar dhan cholaiste bhon Ghàidhealtachd fhèin agus dithis bhon taobh a-muigh.
Tha Ciorstan Howarth, à Inbhirnis, air an dàrna bliadhna aig SMO is i ag obair a dh’ ionnsaigh BA Cànan is Cultar na Gàidhlig agus ‘s i aon den fheadhainn a fhuair bursaraidh am bliadhna: “Tha am bursaraidh cuideachail airson stuth is goireasan a cheannach a tha gam chuideachadh le mo chuid fhoghlaim. Tha e cuideachd feumail leis gu bheil a’ toirt beagan faochadh dhomh bho a bhith a’ gabhail uallach mu dheidhinn airgead, a tha gam chuideachadh a thaobh mo shlàinte-inntinn.”
Thuirt an Comhairliche Calum Rothach, Cathraiche air Comataidh na Gàidhlig agus Ball de Uàrd Eilean a’ Cheò agus Ratharsair: “Tha e na fhìor thoileachas dhuinn a bhith cumail taic ri Sgeama Bursaraidh UHI leis gu bheil e a’ toirt cothrom do dh’ oileanaich a tha ag ionnsachadh aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig iarrtas a chur a-steach airson bursaraidhean beaga. Tha e nas cudromaiche buileach am bliadhna leis mar a tha Covid-19 air ar cuingealachadh gu lèir, gu h-àraid beatha nan oileanach. Bu mhath leam gach soirbheachas a ghuidhe air na h-oileanaich gu lèir leis an cuid fhoghlaim agus tha mi a’ coimhead air adhart rim faicinn air-loidhne a-rithist mas crìochnaich iad.”
Chuir Iar-Phrionnsapal is Stiùiriche an Fhoghlaim aig SMO, an Dr Marsaili NicLeòid, ris a seo is i ag ràdh: “Tha Sabhal Mòr Ostaig fada an comain Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd airson an taic leantainneach dhan sgeama seo. Tha Covid-19 air buaidh mhòr a thoirt air beatha nan oileanach san fharsaingeachd, agus mar thoradh air gainnead chothroman obrach pàirt-ùine. Nì na bursaraidhean diofar mhòr dhan sianar oileanach sa bhliadhna carraideach seo, is iad uile a’ dèanamh an cuid ionnsachadh tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig is ag amas air dreuchdan ann am foghlam, na meadhanan no obair iomairt airson na Gàidhlig san àm ri teachd.”
Tha an sgeama seo air a chur air dòigh le Oilthigh na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean agus air a mhaoineachadh le Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd agus Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. Tha e fosgailte do dh’ oileanaich a tha ag ionnsachadh agus a’ fuireach anns na sgìrean comhairle seo.
Airson tuilleadh fiosrachaidh:
Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd – Morag Anna NicLeòid MoragAnna.Macleod@highland.gov.uk
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig - Eilidh NicPhàidein enp1.smo@uhi.ac.uk
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig students benefit from Gaelic bursaries
Six students from Sabhal Mòr Ostaig have received financial support this year from the Gaelic Bursary Scheme which is run by the University of the Highlands and Islands.
This is the 20th year of the Gaelic Bursary Scheme which provides a bursary to students, throughout the Highlands and Islands, who wish to learn, or study through the medium of Gaelic, with priority given to students in their first year of study who hope to gain a CertHE, DipHE or BA.
Many students have benefited from the scheme since it began and over the last ten years, 96 SMO students have been successful in their applications for a bursary. Of the six who were chosen this year, four came to the college from within the Highlands itself and the other two from outwith.
Kirstyn Howarth, from Inverness, is on her 2nd year at SMO working towards a BA in Gaelic Language and Culture and was one of those awarded a bursary this year: “The bursary is helpful as it enables me to purchase items and resources that are necessary for my studies. It’s also a help in that it takes a bit of the financial pressure and stress off me, which ultimately helps my mental health.”
Councillor Calum Munro, Chair of the Gaelic Committee and Member of the Isle of Skye and Raasay Ward said, “We are delighted to be supporting the UHI Bursary Scheme as it provides students who are studying at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig the opportunity to apply for small bursaries. It is even more important this year given the restrictions the pandemic has brought on us all, particularly on student life. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the students the very best with their studies and look forward to catching up with them virtually before they complete their individual educational programmes.”
SMO Vice-Principal and Director of Studies, Dr Marsaili Macleod, added to this by saying: “Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is very grateful for the continued support of Highland Council to this scheme. The impact of Covid-19 is felt keenly by students, due to limited part-time working opportunities and the many restrictions on everyday student life. In such a turbulant year the financial support will make a real difference to the six successful students studying through Gaelic, and who hope to work in Gaelic teaching, media or in Gaelic campaign work in the future.”
This scheme is administered by the university and jointly funded by Highland Council and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. Students wishing to apply to this scheme are required to be resident and attending the university within these Council areas.
For further information contact MoragAnna.Macleod@highland.gov.uk or Eilidh NicPhàidein enp1.smo@uhi.ac.uk