National Supervisors Forum
Pathways Scholarship
The National Supervisors Forum was established to help and support board oversight/supervisory
committee members in carrying out their duties in accordance and compliance with the Credit Union
Act. The role of the board oversight/supervisory committee is to protect the safety and soundness of
the credit union by overseeing the board of directors and assessing if it is operating in accordance
with all relevant legislation, best practice and good corporate governance. The recent legislative
changes in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland have focussed on increasing the role
and scope of the board oversight/supervisory committee. The actions of the board
oversight/supervisory committee are now seen as an essential element of good corporate
governance.
The National Supervisors Forum, in association with the Centre for Co-operative Studies, University
College Cork, and CU Learning & Development, Irish League of Credit Unions are offering 2 annual
scholarships to current board oversight/supervisory committee members in any credit union
throughout the island of Ireland who meet the entry requirements of the UCC-ILCU Accredited
Learning Pathway for Credit Unions (Pathways Programme). Each applicant will be judged on the
applicant’s written statement on their suitability for and expected benefits from completing the
Pathways Programme and an interview by an expert panel.
Scholarship award
The successful applicants will receive a scholarship equivalent to the full cost of fees (not to exceed
€1,7501) to undertake the Certificate in Credit Union Governance and/or the Diploma in Credit Union
Governance, where the candidate meets the entry requirements for each qualification. The
expected duration of the Certificate is 3 months and the expected duration of the Diploma is 9
months.
Applicants are advised to familiarise themselves with the Pathways Programme content and delivery
format. Further details can be accessed at www.culearn.ie.
Potential applicants should complete a scholarship application form and an applicant’s statement.
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This scholarship does not cover travel or any other associated costs with completing the Certificate and/or
Diploma. These costs should be covered by the candidate’s own credit union.
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Application procedure
Applications should comprise of
1. Completed application form
2. Applicant’s statement
All applications should be completed in hard copy and signed by the applicant.
Two completed and signed applications should be posted to:
Dr. Olive McCarthy
Centre for Co-operative Studies
O’Rahilly Building
University College Cork
Western Road
Cork
The envelope should be clearly marked “NSF Scholarship”. Applications should be submitted by the
second Friday in January each year. All applications will be acknowledged by email. Only completed
applications received on or before the submission date will be acknowledged and considered.
Shortlisted applicants will be called for interview.
The award of the scholarship will be made pending acceptance by UCC and CU Learning &
Development of the successful candidate on to the Pathways Programme. The participation of the
successful candidate in activities during 2014/2015 to promote this scholarship may be required.
Selection criteria
The applicant will be judged on the following criteria:
1. Suitability to undertake the Pathways Programme
2. Clarity and coherence in the applicant’s statement
3. Anticipated benefits for the applicant and for their credit union of undertaking the Pathways
Programme (or elements thereof)
4. Commitment to the completion of the Certificate and/or Diploma if selected
5. Performance at interview
The decision of the expert panel is final. The expert panel will be comprised of representatives of the
National Supervisors Forum, the Centre for Co-operative Studies at University College Cork, and CU
Learning & Development.
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National Supervisors Forum
Pathways Scholarship
Application form
For Official Use Only
Date received:
Reference No.:
Eligibility check:
Result:
PLEASE USE BLOCK CAPITALS
Applicant information
Surname: ______________________________ First name: _________________________________
Title:
Mr [ ] Ms [ ]
Date of birth DD/MM/YY: ____________________
Current address:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Telephone: ______________________________
Email: ______________________________
Credit union: _______________________________________________________________________
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Credit union experience (Please list all relevant voluntary and/or paid experience in credit unions.
Feel free to continue on a separate page if necessary.)
Experience/role
Credit union
Voluntary or
paid
Time frame
Please provide details of 2 referees whom we may contact.
Referee 1
Surname: ______________________________ First name: _________________________________
Address:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Telephone: ______________________________ Email: ___________________________________
Nature of relationship: ______________________________________________________________
Referee 2
Surname: ______________________________ First name: _________________________________
Address:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Telephone: ______________________________ Email: ___________________________________
Nature of relationship: ______________________________________________________________
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National Supervisors Forum
Pathways Scholarship
Applicant’s statement
Please write an Applicant’s Statement utilising the following headings:
1. Why you think you are personally suitable for this scholarship
2. What benefits (work, career, personal etc.) you expect to gain from pursuing the Pathways
Programme (or elements thereof)
3. What benefits you expect your credit union will gain by you pursuing the Pathways
Programme (or elements thereof)
4. Confirmation that you have reviewed and satisfy the entry requirements of the Pathways
programmes
5. Demonstrated commitment to part-time study
6. Any other information you consider relevant
7. Signature of applicant
(maximum 500 words in total)
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