Together with health and hospitality, education was the sector that was most seriously disrupted by the pandemic. The last two Leaving Certs had to be significantly re-imagined, and all third level classes migrated, temporarily we hope, to the virtual classroom. So, as parents throughout the land struggled with the challenges of home schooling, it’s fair to say that never have the skills of our educators been as keenly appreciated.
Those skills, and the trojan efforts that went into adapting to the challenges presented by the pandemic, were recognised and acknowledged at The Education Awards 2021. The event took place on Thursday, May 20th where the winners were announced at a virtual ceremony in front of a live digital audience. The event was presided over by the broadcaster and comedian Colm O'Regan.
One of the big winners on the night was University College Cork, which came away with no fewer than four of the trophies. John O’Halloran, UCC’s interim president, said; “UCC’s success in The Education Awards 2021 is a tremendous acknowledgement of the commitment and resilience of the entire community. This achievement makes me incredibly proud of our students and staff, particularly in light of the challenges of the past year.”
Another institution to have won multiple awards at this year’s event was the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, who won two awards, including Best library team. Margaret Waldron, institute librarian there, said; “The library as a neutral place welcomes, supports and engages with all users to provide a positive library experience. Virtual and physical engagement is underpinned by a very strong customer service ethos.”
Similarly, the National College of Ireland also won two awards. Caroline Kennedy, career development manager there, said; “We are delighted to have won these awards for the work we have done since lockdown, to provide students with continued opportunities to engage with employers and alumni through networking sessions, mentoring opportunities, skills sessions and employer focused events.”
And the Munster Technical University also won two awards, including the Student Engagement and Communications Award. Marese Bermingham, head of AnSEO, the Student Engagement Office and of the Teaching and Learning Unit at Munster Technical University, said; “Student Engagement activity at MTU works in partnership with our learning and teaching practices. And these awards are a demonstration of our commitment to enabling opportunities for students and staff to connect with each other and build a shared educational experience.”
This was the fifth annual holding of the event, and the full list of the 2021 winners are as follows:
Overall Excellence Award
Winner: University College Cork
Best Business & Third Level Institution Collaboration
Winner: BEng in Automation & Robotics - ThermoKing & GMIT
International Engagement Award
Winner: Supporting International Students at NCI - National College of Ireland
Best International Collaboration Project
Winner: Gender Equality Matters - DCU IoE
Best Research Project
Winner: Translational Medical Device Lab
Best Education Outreach Award
Winner: Calmast, Maths Outreach for Covid - Waterford Institute of Technology
Best Language School
Winner: Cork English College
Best Further Education Provider
Winner: Drogheda Institute of Further Education
Best Online Learning Experience
Winner: The Insurance Institute of Ireland
Career Impact Strategy Award
Winner: National College of Ireland
Best Student Experience Award
Winner: University College Cork
Best Student Accommodation
Winner: Griffith Halls of Residence
Best Use of Educational Technology / ICT Initiative of the Year
Winner: School of Management, TU Dublin & Enovation
Student Engagement & Communications Award
Winner: Le Chéile Programme, AnSEO - The Student Engagement Office, MTU
Best Student Campus Award
Winner: University College Cork
Best Library Team
Winner: GMIT Library
Best Marketing / Communications Team
Winner: Trinity Development & Alumni, Trinity College Dublin
COVID Crisis Response Award
Winner: Reach Academic Mentoring, Munster Technological University
Excellence in the Provision of Professional Services
Winner: University of Limerick Academic Registry
Best Green Campus
Winner: University College Cork
Here is the full list of the 2021 judging panel:
- Declan Allen, assistant head, School of Management, College of Business, Technological University Dublin
- Finneen Bradley, Careers Academy manager & deputy head of Learner Services, North West Regional College
- Dr. Matt Cotterell, head of School of Mechanical, Electrical & Process Engineering, Munster Technological University, Cork
- Prof. Willie Donnelly, president, Waterford IT
- Dr. Sheila Flanagan, vice president for Academic Affairs & Registrar, Dundalk Institute of Technology
- Prof. Graham Heaslip, head of School of Engineering, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology
- Dr. Kieran Hickey, senior lecturer & head of the Department, Geography & head of the School, Human Environment, University College Cork
- Dr. Teresa Hurley, former head of School of Management, Technological University Dublin
- Donal McAlister, MBA International Affairs manager, Institute of Technology Carlow
- Dr. David McKevitt, lecturer, Management, University College Cork
- Aine McManus, head of Faculty, Graduate Business School, Griffith College Dublin
- Paul Mullally, director, Education Lighthouse
- Gerard O'Donovan, head of the Faculty of Business and Humanities, Munster Technological University, Cork Campus
- Dr. Alison Porter-Armstrong, senior lecturer Rehabilitation Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Ulster University
- Elaine Rea, International Marketing manager, College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, NUI Galway
- Dr. Penpatra Sripaiboonkij, lecturer/assistant professor, University College Dublin
- Dr. Ciarán Ó hAnnracháin, project manager, LYIT CUA (Technological University)
Find out more at the Education Awards 2021 - www.educationawards.ie
