Chip firm makes donation to stay in school plan


19 Nov 2003

Semiconductor design software firm Synopsys has joined up with Junior Achievement Ireland to drive an initiative to encourage local children in the Blanchardstown area of Dublin to remain in school and complete their secondary education.

The six-month initiative will involve an investment of €9,000 by Synopsys’ non-profit arm and will involve more than 300 students. More than 25pc of Synopsis’ local staff, approximately 15 people, volunteered for the initiative.

The three schools involved in the initiative are St Patrick’s New School in Corduff, St Philips New School in Mountview and Blakestown Community School.

Synopsys believes it is helping to inspire the next generation of technology leaders by reaching out to local communities to foster education and science initiatives. The Synopsys Foundation provides financial donations to further science and maths education. It gave more than US$1.2m to 55 organisations during the 2003 fiscal year.

Junior Achievement is a non-profit making organisation dedicated to building bridges between the classroom and the workplace by encouraging young people to participate in a range of educational programmes designed to help them understand the world of work.

“Our involvement with Junior Achievement marks a continuation of a long company tradition of community involvement,” said Charles Watchorn, controller of Synopsys’ Irish office. “Synopsys is strongly committed to helping develop the next generation of technology leaders in Ireland. We believe this initiative will contribute to achieving Junior Achievement Ireland’s goals by encouraging local children to stay in school.”

By John Kennedy