NCI was proud to meet and compete with education peers from across Ireland.

Our International Department took home the top prize for best International Engagement at this year’s Education Awards for the Young Future Leader Project.

Great credit is due to Brenda de Azevedo and Michael Shiel for their work on this initiative, which gave secondary school students in international markets their first taste of what Higher Education would be like in NCI, through provision of free, online leadership seminars, delivered by lecturers: Assistant Professor Joe Wilde, Assistant Professor Dave Cormack, Dr Louise Maguire, Dermot Bradfield, Dr Philip McGovern and Professor Jimmy Hill, supported by Dean of the School of Business, Dr Colette Darcy.

Professor Jimmy Hill, Vice President of NCI, and Robert Ward, Director of Marketing, joined Brenda and Michael for the award presentation

Professor Danielle McCartan-Quinn, Vice Dean of NCI School of Business and Bertie Kelly, NCI Commercial Director, also contributed to the occasion, as part of the judging panel (recused from NCI entries, of course!), joining representatives from HEIs across Ireland at ‘the top table’.

Bertie Kelly, Commercial Manager at NCI, presents SETU Waterford with the Best Diversity, Inclusivity, Equality Award

NCI was shortlisted in 6 categories, in highly competitive company. You can learn more about all our entries through the links below, and see a sample of the judges' feedback.

Winner

Best International Engagement Award – Young Future Leader Programme 

“An effective student-centred programme allowing learners to explore their third level options in an English-speaking setting without cost or risk.”

Finalists

Best Industry/Business-Academic Collaboration – P-TECH 

“The focus of the project on addressing educational disadvantage in inner city Dublin through engagement with a significant number of local academic institutions and global IT companies is impressive.” 

Best International Collaboration Project – SPuMoNI 

“Excellent example of a good international collaborative project supported through the European Framework. The technical challenges addressed by the project partners is of international importance particularly with the increase in on-line medicine."

Best Research Project – SAMI Lab

“An important project that will have significant impact on policy in Irish healthcare, and beyond. In particular, the focus on the stigma around mental health is likely to yield significant benefits and facilitate early disclosure from people who are suffering. The project also has impressive collaborations in research and practitioner settings.”

Excellence in Diversity, Inclusivity, Equality – Brigit’s Basket 

“This is an important initiative by the college which essentially addresses the issue of welfare poverty and the ability of students to fully participate in academic life. The initiative has to be commended.” 

Best Education Outreach Award – ELI @ NCI - Parenting 365

“It is very evident that this project is servicing a need that is much in demand. There is a very strong sense of the benefits not only to the children themselves in need of the service, but also to the much needed support for their immediate family. The expansion of the programme needs to be given the due support that is required with the results of the project very commendable to all involved.” 

National College of Ireland would like to thank all involved in the organisation of the Education Awards, including the judges. As well as our own international team, we congratulate all those who won on the night: we are proud to have been shortlisted in such prestigious company! Well done to all those who participated: it was inspirational to hear of the great work undertaken in education in institutes all across Ireland.

For full details of all finalists and winners, go to EducationAwards.ie