Aaron Domoney, From Carrigaline Announced As The Winner.
The global automotive technology provider Keyloop, based out of Dublin awarded its annual bursary to one Automotive Business Management and Technology student at Munster Technological University (MTU) during an online ceremony on Thursday 27 May 2021. The lucky winner was first-year student Aaron Domoney of Carrigaline.
Students studying for the Honours degree at MTU were all eligible to apply, but only four reached the final stages. Alongside Aaron were Eoghan Boyce, Kieren Doyle and Sean Kelly.
Keyloop launched its annual bursary programme with MTU in 2018, to give students deeper exposure to automotive technology and management. Speaking after being presented the bursary, Aaron said: "I would have been delighted if any of the other students had won. I couldn't think of a better class, and they all deserve it. I am grateful to have been a part of this process and it is an honour to have been awarded this prize. I can't wait to come back in the autumn, and I've never said that about school in my life!"
John McManus, Keyloop Ireland Manager, who was one of the judges for this year's entries, continued: "The standard of entries for this year's process were outstanding, and all students presented really well. It was a tough decision to judge all of the presentations, and each student is a credit to the university. The future of the automotive industry in Ireland is in safe hands."
Since launching the bursary in 2018, Keyloop (known as CDK Global until March 2021 when it was rebranded following the purchase by Francisco Partners) and MTU have created 20 simulated automotive retail outlet centres using the Keyloop Drive Dealer Management System. Each centre emulates the departments found in any modern automotive retail outlet, including vehicle sales, customer service, marketing, parts and workshop.
These simulated outlets have given MTU students first-hand experiences of the technology systems used by dealers across Ireland and globally, enabling real-time, real-world experiences in areas previously only delivered using theory practices.