Undergraduate students Esther Ozonyia from Maynooth University, Johana Hajduchová and Ainsley Hamilton from Trinity College Dublin, and Anastasiia Ukhlova from University College Dublin, have won the Matheson University Challenge 2024 held at Matheson's Dublin office on Thursday, 28 March 2024.
The competition encouraged university students to explore the numerous opportunities for law firms to innovate and transform in the future, and was designed to identify students who strive to achieve purpose and deliver change for Ireland's future legal landscape.
Students from different universities across Ireland were invited to submit a four-minute video as a team, choosing between two topics:
- "How far should the law go to protect children and vulnerable people from harmful content online, while allowing platforms to be as user friendly as possible?"; or
- "How can society ensure Artificial Intelligence is deployed for the benefit of all and not just certain groups?"
From over 180 entries, a shortlist of five teams were invited to present their proposal to a panel of judges comprising Carlo Salizzo, partner in Matheson's Technology and Innovation Group; Kyle Gribben, Head of the Matheson Digital Services Group; and guest judge, Maebh Earlie, Senior Corporate Counsel, Indeed.
The winning team of Esther Ozonyia, Johana Hajduchová, Ainsley Hamilton, and Anastasiia Ukhlova were each awarded a place on Matheson's summer internship programme, in addition to a team cash prize of €5,000.
The Matheson University Challenge builds on the reach and significance of Matheson's student, graduate and academic programmes, such as the UCC and Matheson Innovation Partnership and the Innovation and Legal Technology Graduate Programme. Through these programmes and scholarships, Matheson is focused on promoting a culture of innovation that allows students to develop new skills and reach their full potential.
