Wicklow duo in running to be ambassadors
A young social entrepreneur and a pioneering engineer from Wicklow are in the driving seat to become Nissan Generation Next ambassadors after being named among the 20 finalists who have been put forward to the public voting stage of the popular competition.
Adam Harris (22), from Greystones and Colin Keogh (28), from Bray are both just one step away from landing the keys to a brand new taxed and insured Nissan to drive for a year. They were among almost 1,000 people who applied to the innovative ambassador programme which helps people to follow their dream and to get ahead with the backing and support of Nissan.
Adam Harris is the founder and CEO of AsIAm. ie, an organisation working to build an Ireland where every person with Autism can ‘live and succeed as they are. Adam founded AsIAm.ie based on his experience of living with Aspergers Syndrome, a condition on the Autism Spectrum.
Adam spent three years in special education, five in mainstream primary education with the support of a Special Needs Assistant (SNA) and completed secondary school with the support of an SNA. Having benefited from early intervention, he felt the need to do something to give back to the autism community in Ireland.
AsIam.ie provides a central online hub for the Autism community which aims to inform and empower those affected by the condition, their families and supporters. Through online engagement with users, AsIAm creates training programmes and campaigns to engage various aspects of Irish life to understand Autism better and to become more Autism friendly.
Colin Keogh works as an engineer in UCD and is determined to change the world by using science and technology to solve some of the world’s biggest problems. He utilises low cost disruptive technologies to make an impact on global issues and has already been named as one of Forbes 30 under 30 in science and medicine. ‘I believe that most problems can be solved via simple, technologically aided solutions, by anyone anywhere. My goal is to inspire, train and nurture innovation in everyone around the world, to empower them to create solutions to global issues,’ said Colin.
He co-founded The Rapid Foundation which aims to change the world by giving people in underprivileged area access and training in disruptive technologies to allow them to help solve their own problems.
Colin also co-founded the Printastic Project in UCD which is developing and promoting low cost waste re-purposing and recycling methods to enable local communities around the world to tackle the issue of marine plastic waste.
You can vote for Adam and Colin at nissangenerationext.ie by July 14.