The Ireland Canada University Foundation announced the new programme of exchange scholarships in the Irish language for the coming academic year, with funding from Ireland's National Lottery and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

The Foundation is providing Irish language teaching assistantships and visiting professorships tenable at six Canadian universities that offer substantive courses in the Irish language.

"I am delighted that my department will be funding this new programme," said Éamon Ó Cuív, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

"Ireland and Canada have strong historical links, particularly since the Great Famine, and this programme will help to make the academic community in Canada more aware of the Irish language and its rich heritage as one of the oldest vernacular languages in Europe.

"It will place the language on a par with other European languages being taught abroad. I strongly encourage graduates with Irish to apply for these exchange scholarships. This is an excellent opportunity to travel, to gain valuable teaching practice, to experience living in Canada and to use their Irish in a new and exciting environment."

Awards will also be offered for Canadian university students to attend Irish language courses for credit in the Gaeltacht environment.

Applications for the teaching assistantships close on April 3 and details and application forms are on the website www.icuf.ie  (Source: University World News)