Thursday 26 February 2026

Nicola Latham, a civil engineering student at the University of Galway, has been awarded the inaugural Cunningham Civil & Marine Engineering Scholarship. This award supports inclusive participation, equal opportunities and supports the pursuit of engineering excellence.

Civil engineering plays a vital role in shaping sustainable communities, resilient infrastructure, and economic development. However, our industry struggles with participation and balanced participation. Scholarships such as this aim to address this imbalance by supporting talented students and promoting engineering as an accessible and rewarding career path.

Industry recognition

The Cunningham Civil & Marine Scholarship provides financial assistance and industry recognition to students who demonstrate strong academic performance and commitment to the field. Latham’s achievement reflects both her dedication to her studies and her potential to contribute to the future of the engineering profession.

Danielle Cunningham said: “Supporting young people and increasing female participation in civil engineering is essential for the future of the industry. We are proud to support students like Nicola as they begin their engineering careers.”

The award was formally presented to Latham recently at the University of Galway Donor Recognition event by directors Eoghan Cunningham, Danielle Cunningham and Richard Browne (who won Engineer of the year in 2015). It followed a selection process including a written submission and interview. 

The Cunningham Civil & Marine Engineering scholarship supports each student through their full honours degree and represents a 10-year collaboration with University of Galway.

The University of Galway is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion across STEM disciplines and actively encourages young people from all backgrounds to explore opportunities in engineering through education, outreach, and industry partnerships.