The National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in partnership with NUI Galway have announced the Karzan Sabah D Ahmed Memorial Research Bursary Scheme.
The bursary has been created to recognise and honour NUI Galway researcher Dr Karzan Sabah D Ahmed, who died in a road accident with his wife Shahen Qasm and baby daughter Lina on the M6 in August 2021.
At the time of his death, Karzan Ahmed was a PhD candidate at NUI Galway undertaking research in Environmental Science. His work focused on evaluating insect ecosystem function in farm habitats for inclusion in novel agri-environmental schemes and involved close collaboration with the National Parks and Wildlife Service
NUI Galway awarded Karzan Ahmed a posthumous PhD in Environmental Science in October.
President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said: they are extremely grateful to the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for their support and partnership in remembering our colleague Karzan Ahmed and his wife Shahen Qasm and their baby daughter Lina.
“Their deaths had a profound impact on our community and, in particular, those who worked directly with Karzan.
“This generous bursary will help to continue his work, celebrating and remembering his excellence and both his and NUI Galway’s commitment to this important area.”
Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan T.D. said Karzan Ahmed undertook important and impactful research in High Nature Value farmland during his time at NUI Galway.
“He worked closely with staff of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS ) and was exceptionally generous and giving with his time and expertise.
“The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are confident that this research bursary will continue to build upon Karzan’s research and afford students an opportunity to gain vital experience in the area of farmland biodiversity, in collaboration with NPWS,” he said.
The Karzan Sabah D Ahmed Memorial Research Bursary Scheme will run as a summer research programme in the School of Natural Sciences at NUI Galway, focusing on high nature value farming and invertebrate biodiversity.
The new scheme will be open to interested students from all higher education institutions in Ireland.
