The RCSI Institute of Leadership, in collaboration with the 30% Club, is to offer a scholarship for its MSc in Leadership to one female candidate. This reflects RCSI's commitment to promote greater gender diversity in healthcare as well as the critical importance of effective and impactful leadership in healthcare.

The MSc in Leadership was devised to meet the needs of the professional in the unique and complex environment of healthcare. With a focus on theoretical and practical skill development through highly interactive lectures and simulations, the MSc is designed to increase leadership capabilities. Its aim is to empower participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to become more effective and confident leaders who can deal with complex issues in a rapidly changing environment.

Announcing the scholarship, Ciaran O'Boyle, Director of the RCSI Institute of Leadership said: "RCSI is fully committed to principles of equality, diversity &inclusion in the workplace and our engagement in the Athena SWAN process, is one of a number of tangible indications of this commitment. The mission of the Institute of Leadership is to improve healthcare by developing the management and leadership competencies of health professionals. We see this scholarship for our Masters in Leadership degree as an important expression of our core values reflecting both our commitment to improving healthcare for patients and families and also of our wish to support the excellent work of the 30% Club."

The 30% Club is a global movement committed to better gender balance at all levels of organisations, fostering greater representation of women at executive levels of business and large organisations.

Rachel Hussey, Deputy Chair 30% Club Ireland, said, "We are delighted that the RCSI Institute of Leadership is going to award a scholarship for an MSc in Leadership to a female candidate in September. Executive education is a very important part of career development. By awarding this scholarship, RCSI is not only providing an excellent opportunity to the successful candidate, but is also helping to reinforce the message to all women about the importance of investing in their own personal development as part of their career plan."

Dr Avril Hutch, Head of RCSI Equality and Diversity, commented, "The new RCSI 30% Club Scholarship demonstrates RCSI's wider commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and creates a unique opportunity for career advancement of women in STEMM. RCSI are honoured to partner with the 30% Club on this initiative and look forward to continued engagement into the future."

Commencing September 2018, this scholarship is valued at €12,500. Closing date for receipt of applications is 30 April 2018.

Further details are available from Dr Mary E. Collins, Programme Co-Director

About RCSI Institute of Leadership

RCSI has been developing leaders in medicine and healthcare since its foundation in 1784. In 2005, the College established the Institute of Leadership, Ireland's only third level institution dedicated exclusively to developing the leadership, management and educational capacity of health professionals.

About RCSI

RCSI is ranked among the top 250 (top 2%) of universities worldwide in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2018) and its research is ranked first in Ireland for citations. It is an international not-for-profit health sciences institution, with its headquarters in Dublin, focused on education and research to drive improvements in human health worldwide. RCSI is a signatory of the Athena SWAN Charter.

About the 30% Club

The 30% Club Ireland officially launched in January 2015, with a goal to achieve better gender balance at all levels in leading Irish businesses. The 30% Club believes that gender balance in executive leadership not only encourages better leadership and governance, but further contributes to better all-round performance, and ultimately increased corporate performance for both companies and their shareholders. The initiative is complementary to individual company efforts and existing networking groups, adding to these through collaboration and the visible commitment of senior business leaders.

The 30% Club is a collaborative business-led effort to make real change in Ireland, aiming towards 30% female representation in senior management by 2020.