Latest news with #MTU
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Plush £150m superyacht laden with luxuries like jacuzzi & helipad owned by ex-Starbucks CEO sails through Dutch canal
The massive vessel has won prizes in yacht shows A LATTE TO OFFER Plush £150m superyacht laden with luxuries like jacuzzi & helipad owned by ex-Starbucks CEO sails through Dutch canal A LUXURY superyacht owned by the US billionaire who transformed Starbucks into a global brand has been spotted sailing through a murky Dutch canal. Howard Schultz's 254-foot vessel, named Pi, boasts a range of over 4,500 nautical miles and onboard spa facilities, including a glass-bottomed swimming pool. 9 A superyacht called Pi passed through the Woubrugsebrug in the Netherlands on Wednesday Credit: Alamy 9 The yacht belongs to Ex-Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, estimated to be worth $6b (£4.5b) 9 The yacht has a sleek, modern interior The huge yacht, believed to be worth $200m (£150m), can accommodate up to 12 guests in six cabins and a crew of 18 people. At a staggering 254 feet long and 37 feet wide, Pi ranks as the 183rd biggest yacht in the world, according to Wikipedia's latest list of motor yachts by length. The vessel is powered by MTU engines, which make it capable of speeds up to 18 knots. It features its own helicopter landing pad as well as various onboard luxury spa facilities. Built by Dutch boat builder Feadship, it was delivered to Schultz at the 2019 Monaco Yacht Show, where it won Best Yacht in Its Class and Motor Yacht of the Year. Schultz's net worth surpasses $6b (£4.5b), according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. He built the bulk of his fortune as the CEO of Starbucks, initially leading the company from 1986 to 2000. Under Schultz, Starbucks grew from a small Seattle-based chain into a global coffee empire. Schultz returned to the helm during the 2007–2008 financial crisis, after the company faced major store closures in a bid to cut costs. He remained CEO until 2017, then returned briefly as interim CEO from 2022 to 2023. 9 The main salon of the superyacht Pi, featuring a large off-white sectional sofa and teal rug 9 A master suite on the Pi 9 The Pi superyacht is 254 feet long Credit: Alamy Inside the invite-only superyacht 'sea hotel' with four-story penthouse - & another $450m 'twin' ship is on the way It comes as the superyacht was spotted in Cornwall's Falmouth harbour in May 2022. Meanwhile, the luxury Four Seasons hotel franchise recently announced its plans to launch a superyacht cruise ship, dubbed the Four Seasons. The superyacht promises to be decked with "sea limousines", luxury restaurants, a cigar room and even a four-story private penthouse suite. Set to launch in January 2026, the 'sea hotel' will sail on over 30 voyages in its first year, cruising through the Bahamas, Caribbean, and Mediterranean. Seven nights along the rivieras of Cassis, France and Portofino, Italy, for example, will cost north of $25,000 (£18,500). While reservations for the first voyages opened in January 2024, they are on an invitation-only basis for loyal Four Seasons guests. The exclusivity is "driven by the need to manage extraordinary demand", according to the luxury hotel franchise. 9 Set to launch in January 2026, the 'sea hotel' will go on more than 30 voyages in its first year Credit: Four Seasons 9 The 190-passenger Four Seasons will feature 14 decks and 95 residential-style cabins with ocean views Credit: Four Seasons
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Plush £150m superyacht laden with luxuries like jacuzzi & helipad owned by ex-Starbucks CEO sails through Dutch canal
A LUXURY superyacht owned by the US billionaire who transformed Starbucks into a global brand has been spotted sailing through a murky Dutch canal. Howard Schultz's 254-foot vessel, named Pi, boasts a range of over 4,500 nautical miles and onboard spa facilities, including a glass-bottomed swimming pool . 9 A superyacht called Pi passed through the Woubrugsebrug in the Netherlands on Wednesday Credit: Alamy 9 The yacht belongs to Ex-Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, estimated to be worth $6b (£4.5b) 9 The yacht has a sleek, modern interior The huge yacht, believed to be worth $200m (£150m), can accommodate up to 12 guests in six cabins and a crew of 18 people. At a staggering 254 feet long and 37 feet wide, Pi ranks as the 183rd biggest yacht in the world, according to Wikipedia's The vessel is powered by MTU engines, which make it capable of speeds up to 18 knots. It features its own helicopter landing pad as well as various onboard luxury spa facilities. Built by Dutch boat builder Feadship, it was delivered to Schultz at the 2019 Monaco Yacht Show, where it won Best Yacht in Its Class and Motor Yacht of the Year. Schultz's net worth surpasses $6b (£4.5b), according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. He built the bulk of his fortune as the CEO of Starbucks, initially leading the company from 1986 to 2000. Under Schultz, Starbucks grew from a small Seattle-based chain into a global coffee empire. Most read in The US Sun Schultz returned to the helm during the 2007–2008 financial crisis, after the company faced major store closures in a bid to cut costs. He remained CEO until 2017, then returned briefly as interim CEO from 2022 to 2023. 9 The main salon of the superyacht Pi, featuring a large off-white sectional sofa and teal rug 9 A master suite on the Pi 9 The Pi superyacht is 254 feet long Credit: Alamy Inside the invite-only superyacht 'sea hotel' with four-story penthouse - & another $450m 'twin' ship is on the way It comes as the superyacht was Meanwhile, the luxury Four Seasons hotel franchise recently announced its plans to launch a superyacht cruise ship, dubbed the Four Seasons. The superyacht promises to be decked with "sea limousines", luxury restaurants, a cigar room and even a four-story private penthouse suite. Set to launch in January 2026, the 'sea hotel' will sail on over 30 voyages in its first year, cruising through the Bahamas, Caribbean, and Mediterranean. Seven nights along the rivieras of Cassis, France and Portofino, Italy, for example, will cost north of $25,000 (£18,500). While reservations for the first voyages opened in January 2024, they are on an invitation-only basis for loyal Four Seasons guests. The exclusivity is "driven by the need to manage extraordinary demand", according to the luxury hotel franchise. 9 Set to launch in January 2026, the 'sea hotel' will go on more than 30 voyages in its first year Credit: Four Seasons 9 The 190-passenger Four Seasons will feature 14 decks and 95 residential-style cabins with ocean views Credit: Four Seasons 9 Passengers will be able to dine in the "Michelin-calibre" onboard restaurant - although only breakfast will be included in the price Credit: Four Seasons
Irish Independent
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Kerry athletes achieve rare clean sweeps at Munster Schools Athletics Championships
Kerry racewalker David Kenny recorded a seasonal best competing for Ireland at the European team race walking event in Czechia Kerryman There was great success for Kerry's post-primary students at the Munster Schools' Athletics Championships at a sun-drenched MTU stadium in Cork on Saturday. Something rare happened, twice at these championships, with three Kerry students making a clean sweep of medals in the intermediate shot and later in the intermediate discus. The gold medal in the shot was won by the ever-consistent Kieran Keane (Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne) with a mighty put of 16.57m with the 5kg ball. That was his third attempt and he tried his all to increase that in the final two throws but that will come another day.
Irish Times
18-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Does my daughter need a postgrad to get a decent job in engineering?
My Leaving Cert daughter has a keen interest in engineering but I'm unsure whether a bachelor's degree will be enough to secure her a good job. We live in Kerry and I'm worried about having to fund a postgraduate qualification and accommodation. Can you advise? Your daughter is at a crucial juncture and it's great that both of you are thinking ahead. Traditionally, students completed an undergraduate (bachelor) degree entirely within a third-level educational setting with little to no exposure to the workplace before entering the workforce. In today's competitive job market, particularly in science and engineering disciplines, many undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes are co-designed by universities with industry partners, ensuring students gain the essential industry skills and personal attributes employers look for in graduates. Your daughter could start by choosing an undergraduate degree with an integrated work placement. This provides students with practical experience, enhances their employability and understanding of their respective fields. READ MORE While work placements were first developed by institutes of technology/technological universities, they are now very much embraced by all the traditional universities. As it happens, MTU 's Kerry campus is offering a new bachelor of engineering (hons) in mechanical and manufacturing engineering. You may see it referred to as the 'Reedl' (rethinking engineering education in Ireland) engineering degree. Students spend the first two years on campus and the final two years on a paid work placement at a host industry partner. Student engineers studying on this degree get to learn in teams and on real-world engineering project challenges, which helps ensure they are well rounded engineers of the future for Ireland's manufacturing sector. Not far away from you, Johnson & Johnson awards three scholarships annually to MTU Cork students studying biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering and pharmaceutical biotechnology. In addition to annual funding, these scholarship students can engage in internships and work placements, gaining access to invaluable learning opportunities while building a support network of mentors and contacts. The higher education system in Ireland is designed with pathways and supports, especially once your daughter gets to postgraduate level. You won't necessarily be carrying the financial weight all alone. Many universities in Ireland offer fully funded postgraduate research scholarships, particularly in science and engineering fields that are supported by national and international funding agencies. These scholarships can often cover full tuition fees, a generous student stipend and project costs. Your daughter can find information on funded PhD programmes in Ireland through a variety of official websites, including individual university websites and national funding agencies such as The website is also a great portal for finding PhD positions globally, filtering by country, discipline and funding status. I encourage your daughter to explore postgraduate options during her undergraduate years, speak with faculty and consider how a postgraduate research degree could shape her future career. Do you have a career or education query? Email askbrian@
Irish Times
12-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Degrees without CAO points were meant to be a ‘game changer'. Why do so few students avail of them?
Cullain Burke's delight with his Leaving Certificate results was short-lived. The 424 points he achieved in 2023 were not enough to secure his dream course, software development at Munster Technological University (MTU), which had soared above 500 points. 'I was a little bit devastated to miss out,' he says. 'It was upsetting. All my friends were going there. I had enough points for a business course, but I knew, really, it wasn't something I'd be interested in.' As he weighed up whether to complete a post-Leaving Cert course, Burke was told of a brand new option: tertiary degrees . READ MORE They are regular university bachelor's degrees which begin in a further education college and finish up in a higher education institution. Entry is not based on CAO points and there are no tuition fees for the first one to two years. [ 'No points needed, just potential': Forty college degrees open for applicants outside CAO system Opens in new window ] As it happened, there was a new tertiary degree in software development, with the first two years at Cork College of Further Education and Training and the final two years at MTU. 'I thought, 'there's no way it's real – it's too good to be true',' Burke recalls. 'It's far cheaper. It's even closer to home. And it meant I'd have full access to all the facilities at MTU and could keep in contact with my friends.' Tertiary degrees were announced in a blaze of publicity three years ago by then minister for higher education, Simon Harris. They were, he said, a 'game-changer' and had the potential to lift the stress on students forced to compete in a highly competitive CAO points race for college places. 'These [tertiary] third-level courses challenge the notion that your Leaving Cert results should determine your education and career path, define a person or their capabilities, or get in the way of their dreams,' he said, shortly after the launch of the scheme. 'With these courses I want to send a clear message to young people and their parents when considering options after school: you can be an engineer, a nurse, study business or work in ICT without ever having to worry about those archaic and stressful Leaving Cert points.' Yet, three years into the operation of the initiative, the numbers taking part are disappointing. A total of 152 students started courses during the first intake in 2023 across 14 different degrees. Last year the number climbed to 224 tertiary students. By comparison, the CAO this year received a record 83,000-plus applications, up from almost 77,000 last year. [ Could my son really lose a college offer if his CAO details are incorrect? Opens in new window ] So, why haven't tertiary degree options caught the imagination of school leavers? One chair of a further education college board, who declined to be named, questioned the extent to which higher education institutions have bought into the scheme. 'If you look at the courses on offer, they tend not to be the ones in high demand through the CAO,' the source said. 'In many cases, they are courses the colleges are struggling to fill anyway. Until you see the really high points courses on offer, it won't be the game-changer it was intended to be.' The most popular tertiary degree routes so far are for courses in nursing. While it used to attract high points, it has fallen to between 340 and 420 points in recent years. Some tertiary courses have not had any participants. Burke feels numbers taking part are relatively low because students are not aware of it, as well as a lingering stigma over further education being 'second best'. 'There can be a feeling that if you're not going straight into [University College Cork] or MTU, then you're not really progressing properly,' says Burke, from Blackrock in Cork. 'This is completely not the case.' Another senior education observer points to the 'rushed' manner in which tertiary degrees were introduced. [ Many apprentices are now on higher salaries than college graduates. Is snobbery around 'earn and learn' options fading? Opens in new window ] 'I think Harris wanted it done in a hurry, with details to be thrashed out later. So, there are still unresolved issues around pay rates for staff in [Further Education and Training] colleges and poor linkages with traditional universities. Like it or not, they're still seen as having a higher status.' There are some signs of change, however. University College Cork (UCC) is the first traditional university to offer tertiary degrees. One of its offerings is a BSc in occupational therapy, which had CAO entry points in excess of 500 points last year. Tanya Jones, deputy director of the National Tertiary Office, which oversees the roll-out of the new offerings, says demand is increasing. A total of 38 tertiary degrees are on offer this year across business, ICT, arts, engineering, social sciences, early learning & care, agricultural science, sport, construction and nursing. More programmes are now being designed in partnership with industry to tackle skills shortages and equip students for careers in sectors that need them. 'Whether you're finishing school, returning to education, or upskilling later in life, tertiary bachelors' degrees are about meeting you where you are and helping you get to where you want to go,' Jones said. 'Options and demand are increasing year on year, demonstrating the need for and importance of a more accessible route like the one presented by tertiary bachelors' degrees.' These programmes ensure that your exam results won't limit your options. If you're willing to study and work hard, there's a path for you in tertiary education. Nessa White, executive director for transformation at Solas , the State body which oversees the further education and training (FET) sector, adds that a key differentiating factor for tertiary degrees is that they are much more accessible. The fact that further education is available in almost every community across Ireland is, she says, creating a 'supportive and tailored environment where people can develop their abilities and skills.' 'This makes it a great platform for progression to higher education,' she said. Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless is convinced that the pathway will grow and give more students than ever the chance to pursue their ambitions without being tied down by the CAO points race. 'I understand that many young people feel anxious about their educational future, worrying each year if their Leaving Certificate results will be enough to get into the course they want,' he said. 'These programmes ensure that your exam results won't limit your options. If you're willing to study and work hard, there's a path for you in tertiary education.' Burke, meanwhile, is on course to progress into the third year of his BSc in software development at MTU in September, having completed two years at Cork College of FET. He says he values the one-to-one help he received in a further education setting, while smaller class sizes in first year meant the transition from secondary school wasn't as daunting. 'If you need help in class, there's never an issue. There's a big emphasis on learning by doing ... you're not just sitting in a lecture hall and listening.' While he knows some students have struggled in university, Burke feels he has a more solid foundation of learning. His dream of working as a data scientist is alive and well. 'I'll tell anyone who'll listen to me to try this as an option. I'm excited to be gong to MTU in September ... I couldn't recommend it highly enough.'
