SCHOLARSHIP:Irish students will get the chance to work and study in Silicon Valley under a scholarship developed by the Dublin-San José sister city programme.

The chosen students who complete the course will finish with an industrial masters of science and engineering degree and gain experience working at some of California's best known tech companies.

Dublin City University postgrad Barry Cannon was named this week as the first recipient of the scholarship. He will attend San José State University (SJSU)

and spend two semesters working for Cypress Semiconductor.

Cypress provides engineering and design services to Apple, among others, and has been pivotal in developing the iPhone.

Cannon's background is in mathematics and applied physics and while in San José he will work with a team from the US and Ukraine on improving the touch screens used in smartphones and tablets.

"I'm honoured by the opportunity to study at San José State University and work with Cypress in San José which is, as far as I'm concerned, the epicentre of advancement in applied physics and mathematics," he said.

President of the Sister City programme Tim Quigley said: "This scholarship series will create a long-lasting and deeper relationship between San José and Dublin.

"The students who join the exchange programme will come to represent the cultural, academic and economic linkages that exist between our two great cities."

The scholarship will be funded by ME Fox founders Mary Ellen and Michael Fox and other Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, while Cypress has stumped up $30,000.

EOIN REYNOLDS