BT has announced that after 25 years, it is to step down as organiser and sponsor of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition.
The company said the decision is due to the re-alignment of its strategy and structure in Ireland, following on from recently announced sales of some of its business units, subject to competition clearance.
The board of the Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition said it will now be opening the role of title sponsor to the market.
It is also encouraging students to start thinking about entries for the 2026 exhibition, which will be held on 7-10 January next year.
"We would like to thank everyone at BT Ireland for their commitment to YSTE over the past quarter of a century," said Prof Pat Guiry, Chair of the Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition Ltd.
"Their custodianship, organisation and sponsorship have elevated the exhibition to the position of national prominence that it enjoys today," Prof Guiry said.
Shay Walsh, Managing Director, BT Ireland said it was a difficult decision for BT, taken due to strategy and organisational changes in Ireland.
"It has been a privilege and honour to organise the Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition and we would like to thank Dr Tony Scott, Prof Pat Guiry, the Young Scientist Exhibition Board, and the entire eco-system who worked alongside us to inspire a passion for science, technology, engineering and maths in a generation of students across the island of Ireland," Mr Walsh said.
"We will work closely with the board on a transition to a new sponsor once their selection process is complete," he added.
