STEM Passport for Inclusion Celebrates Expanded Partnership with Fexco to Empower More Young Women in STEM

The STEM Passport for Inclusion programme is delighted to announce the expansion of its partnership with Fexco, which will contribute €50,000 from 2025 to 2027. This partnership, which began in 2023, has allowed the programme to continue breaking down barriers in STEM education for young women from working-class communities across Ireland.

STEM Passport for Inclusion, led by Professor Katriona O’Sullivan at Maynooth University, is designed to address systemic inequality in access to STEM. It empowers Transition Year students with a third-level STEM qualification (Level 6 NFQ) while still in school and pairs them with industry mentors who inspire, guide, and support their journey into STEM careers.

The continued investment from Fexco marks a deepened commitment to inclusive innovation. In 2024 alone, 500 post-primary students in Munster benefitted from this partnership, gaining not only STEM education but also mentorship and real opportunities to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

“Through this partnership with Fexco, we are ensuring that young women, who are often left out of the STEM conversation, have a seat at the table,” said Professor Katriona O’Sullivan, Programme Director of STEM Passport for Inclusion. “This donation will help us continue our mission to provide equal opportunities in STEM education and inspire the next generation of innovators.”

Fexco, a long-time champion of innovation and inclusion, has been an essential supporter of the initiative over the past two years. Their involvement goes beyond funding, as Fexco employees serve as mentors, role models, and advocates for the next generation of STEM leaders. They are also committed to offering students valuable work experience, helping to build a strong and diverse future workforce.

“We are incredibly proud to support the STEM Passport for Inclusion programme,” said Neil Hosty, CEO of Fexco. “We believe in the power of education to transform lives and are committed to promoting inclusivity in STEM fields. This partnership aligns with our values of innovation, education, and community. By investing in these young women, we are investing in Ireland’s future.”

The STEM Passport for Inclusion programme is made possible through collaboration with educational and industry partners, including Research Ireland, the Department of Education, Microsoft Dream Space, Munster Technological University, and the RDI Hub. Together, these partners are building a more inclusive STEM ecosystem nationwide.

To celebrate the impact of the partnership, an awards event took place at the RDI Hub in Killorglin recently, honouring the achievements of students, mentors, and programme champions.

For more information on the STEM Passport for Inclusion programme or to find out how you can support this work, please visit STEM Passport for Inclusion | Maynooth University.