The shortlist for this year’s Education Awards has been released, with third level institutions from across the island of Ireland featured among the nominees. Given recent CSO figures showing an employment rate of 85 per cent among 25- to 64-year-olds who have a third level qualification, compared to 71 per cent for those who have no qualification above secondary level, it’s clear that the importance of third level education is increasing.
With 62 per cent of 15- to 24-year-olds in the Republic of Ireland currently classified as students, institutions are under pressure to meet growing demand and provide a positive and rewarding experience. Many are rising to the challenge and this year’s shortlist features public and private education centres who have shone in areas such as student experience, online offerings, career impact and more.
An independent panel of recognised judges, drawn from educational institutions in Ireland and abroad, will determine the winners across 23 categories. Judging co-ordinator Dr Jane O’Keeffe, from the National Maritime College of Ireland, CIT, spoke of the high standard of the entries, saying “the calibre of this year’s submissions is even higher than last year, drawn from a broad spectrum of third level institutions. These educational institutions provide enhanced and creative learning environments in catering for the evolving needs of the student population, industry and the business community. The advancement of knowledge is evidenced in the quality of the submissions, year on year, across the award categories. We can be proud of the achievements of the third level sector.”
Shortlisted in three different categories, University College Cork (UCC) is looking forward to a night of celebration. Daniel Blackshields, BA (Hons) Economics (through Transformational Learning), Department of Economics at UCC, programme director for academic development said: "We are delighted with our Irish Education Award nomination. For us authentic learning must integrate students’'self” and scholarly development. This is a deep dive learning journey which our nomination challenges us to continue. The ceremony will be a fantastic opportunity to dialogue with a community of critical friends.”
Speaking to the honour of being shortlisted in the Best Academic Partnership category, Trinity College Dublin’s vice president for global relations, Professor Juliette Hussey said: “Trinity College Dublin are delighted that our Dual BA programme with Columbia University, New York offering students a unique educational experience spanning two continents. We look forward to engaging with colleagues and the opportunity to be part of a showcase of excellence.”
Air Products is this year's Platinum Sponsor. Lynn Willacy, community and STEM ambassador for Ireland, spoke about why they are supporting this event; "Air Products is very proud to sponsor the Education Awards which celebrate educational excellence. The Awards are a great example of how important it is to us that we support students and recognise their achievements."
The awards take place on February 21st and will be a black-tie event. Those interested in attending can book tickets here.
To read about other Business River events visit their news hub.
The full shortlist is available below.
Overall Excellence in Education
The winner of this award will be announced at the awards ceremony on February 21st.
Best College of Business
- DBS
- J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics, NUI Galway
Best College of Arts & Social Science
- College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, NUI Galway
- DBS
- Department of Social Sciences, IT Sligo
Best Language School
- ACET
- Atlas Language School
- Bridge Mills Galway Language Centre
- Cork English College
- Donegal English Language School
- Everest Language School
- Galway Cultural Institute
- The English Studio
- Twin-Chapterhouse Dublin
Best Further Education Provider
- Barrow Training & Consultancy
- City Colleges Group
- CMIT
- Cork College of Commerce
- CSN College
- DBS
- Drogheda Institute of Further Education
- Limerick College of Further Education
- Pitman Training Ireland
- The College of Progressive Education
Best Third Level Institution
- DBS
- University College Cork
Best Erasmus Programme
- Inchicore College of Further Education
- RCSI
- University College Cork
- University of Limerick
International College Achievement Award
- IADT
- Mary Immaculate College International Office
- St. John's Central College
Best International Collaboration Project
- 3EP Malaysia - UCD Innovation Academy, UiTM & UKM
- DBS & Kolej Poly-Tech MARA (KPTM)
- Dundalk Institute of Technology & Heilbronn University
- Global Student Programme - Dundalk Institute of Technology & RMIT University
- HOT Project - College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland & Malawi Partners
- International Library Project Network - Limerick Institute of Technology
- Mary Immaculate College & St. John's University, New York
Best Business & Third Level Institution Collaboration
- DBS & Harvey Norman
- Food and Consumer Testing Suite - Ulster University
- Logistics Associate Apprenticeship Consortium - Dublin Institute of Technology
- NUI Galway & Deloitte
- Pfizer & University College Cork
Best Marketing / Communications Team
- City Colleges Group
- Griffith College
- J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics, NUI Galway
- LINC Programme
- National College of Ireland
- Southern Regional College
- University College Cork
- University of Limerick
Best Library Team
- DBS
- Limerick Institute of Technology
- Southern Regional College
Best Academic Partnership
- Cork Institute of Technology & Auckland University of Technology
- Dundalk Institute of Technology & Heilbronn University
- Project-Social - Ulster University
- SURE Network - Athlone Institute of Technology
- Trinity College Dublin & Columbia University
Best Student Experience Award
- DBS
- Department of Biological Sciences, Cork Institute of Technology
- GoGlobal@UL - University of Limerick
- Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick
- Maynooth University
- University College Cork
Best Student Campus Award
- DBS
- Letterkenny Institute of Technology
- University College Cork
- University of Limerick
Career Impact Strategy Award
- Breaking Barriers and Building Networks - National College of Ireland
- Career Development Centre, NUI Galway
- Civil@UL - University of Limerick
- Cork College of Commerce
- DBS
- Department of Economics, University College Cork
- DkIT Work Placement Development Model - Dundalk Institute of Technology
- Dublin Institute of Technology & GetReSkilled
- Griffith College
- M.Sc. in Addiction Recovery - School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin
Best Online Learning Experience
- BA (Hons) in Business Studies Blended Learning Programme - Griffith College
- Centre for Adult Learning & Professional Development, NUI Galway
- CMIT
- Code Institute
- LINC Programme
- Setanta College
- Tallaght Training Centre
Best Education Outreach Award
Sponsored by Air Products
- Certification in Preparatory Studies for Third Level - Institute of Technology Tallaght
- DCU Connected University of Sanctuary Scholarships
- I WISH Campus Programme - Faculty of Engineering and Science, CIT
- Law Clinic, Derry - Ulster University
- NUI Galway Youth Academy
- REACH RCSI
- STEAM Bursary Initiative - Griffith College
- Suite Science - Insight Centre for Data Analytics
- UCC PLUS+ Homework Clubs
- UCD Future You Mentoring Pogramme
Student Engagement & Communications Award
Sponsored by Air Products
- Cork Institute of Technology
- LINC Programme
- Southern Regional College
- The Skills Centre, University College Cork
Business Collaboration Award
- Cork College of Commerce
- DBS & Harvey Norman
- Employee Development Programme - Institute of Technology Tallaght & Pfizer Newbridge
- The College of Progressive Education & 4Front Pharmacy Solutions
- Ulster University Professional Experience Programme
Best Use of Educational Technology/ICT Initiative of the Year
- Blending Chemistry - School of Science and Computing, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology
- CMIT
- Griffith College
- Reflect - Dublin City University
- South Eastern Regional College
- St. Vincent's University Hospital
- Ulster University
Best Research Project
- Douglas Matters - University College Cork
- Home Works - DCU Institute of Education
- LINC Programme
- Maybe There Is Another Way - University of Limerick
- SepTec - Dublin City University
- Sonic Histories of Cork City Project - University College Cork
Best International Research Project Collaboration
- ADAPT Centre for Digital Content Technology & Huawei
- Cork Institute of Technology & Auckland University of Technology
- Library Network Support Services - Limerick Institute of Technology
- St. John's Central College
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