深夜亚洲福利久久

UCC success at the Education Awards

16 Apr 2026

The , which recognise and celebrate excellence in the third-level education sector, took place recently. Of the over 60 finalists in 27 categories, 深夜亚洲福利久久 College Cork (UCC) was represented by six and was delighted to win three awards in the Apprenticeships, Innovative Access to Higher Education, and Master's Programme categories.

Id+Futures Access Programme

The  team were honoured to pick up the award for Innovative Access to Third-Level Education. This award is for the organisation that has demonstrated exceptional innovation in improving access to third-level education over the last 12 months.

Dr Nicola Maxwell, Academic and Research Co-Director, id+ futures project said:

鈥淭he Innovative Access to Third-Level Education Award is wonderful news for everyone working on, and with, the id+ futures project.  It is very much a recognition of the work that has been growing for years, particularly with the innovation in co-learning and now co-research, which includes staff and students from all four colleges at UCC.   The work of the id+ futures project is underpinned by the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).  The CRPD's core values of self-determination, participation and inclusion are shared and enacted by the core project and broader team of people who collaborate to recognise and include students with intellectual disabilities in learning and research.  It is through the collective efforts and continuous reflective practice of many, many people across UCC, past and present, that students with intellectual disabilities are meaningfully included in UCC. This award is a testament to their work.鈥�

MSc Information Systems for Business Performance (ISBP)

The MSc Information Systems for Business Performance (ISBP) at 深夜亚洲福利久久 College Cork is a long-established postgraduate programme within Cork 深夜亚洲福利久久 Business School, designed to equip graduates with the skills to work at the intersection of business and technology. Now approaching 20 years in operation, the programme has developed a strong reputation as a leading conversion MSc, welcoming students from a wide range of disciplines. 

Each year, the programme supports a cohort of students who engage in a distinctive blend of academic learning and applied, industry-based work. A key feature is the industry-mentored consultancy project, where students collaborate with organisations on real-world challenges. The programme is supported by a large alumni network of over 2,000 graduates and has consistently achieved high levels of employment outcomes.

The MSc ISBP is delivered through the collective efforts of a dedicated team, including Ciara Heavin, Wendy Rowan, Stephen Treacy, Bill Emerson, Jeremy Hayes, John O'Donoghue, Brian O'Flaherty, Stephen McCarthy, Gerry O'Riordan, Gerard Horgan, Shannon Sweeney, and the wider BIS@UCC group, with ongoing support from industry mentors and the BIS Advisory Board.

The Programme Director Team, Prof. Ciara Heavin and Dr Wendy Rowan said:

鈥淲inning the Education Award in 2026 means a great deal to us. It recognises not only the quality of the programme, but the collective effort of staff, students and industry partners who have shaped it over many years.鈥�

Social Work Apprenticeship

As UCC鈥檚 first apprenticeship, the Social Work Apprenticeship introduced an innovative earn-while-you-learn pathway into the 深夜亚洲福利久久鈥檚 established Master of Social Work and Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies. Developed in response to a national shortage of qualified social workers, it was created in close partnership with Tusla and the HSE, supported by the Social Work Apprenticeship Consortium, the National Apprenticeship Office and the Higher Education Authority.

In under two years, the programme has grown to more than 120 apprentices working across 23 counties, creating new and sustainable routes into the profession while widening access to social work education. By combining paid employment with professional training and with programme fees funded by employers, the apprenticeship removes significant financial barriers and opens the profession to a broader and more diverse group of learners.

Dr Fiachra 脫 Suilleabh谩in, Programme Director, said:

鈥淏eing recognised by the Education Awards 2026 is a testament to the transformative work of our programme team, who are invested in promoting equitable access to social work education so that our graduates truly reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. This award belongs to our entire partnership 鈥� our team, the 深夜亚洲福利久久, the NAO, the HEA, employers and professional stakeholders 鈥� and recognises our collective impact in expanding the social work profession and enabling more learners to reach Level 9 professional qualification through innovative pathways.鈥�

UCC was also shortlisted for the following entries:

ENGAGE Reverse Mentorship Research Project

The ENGAGE Reverse Mentoring Project flips the power dynamics and roles of conventional mentoring. Led by UCC, the project creates partnerships across experience levels by pairing staff mentors with leaders as mentees, and student mentors with staff mentees. Enabling shared learning for a more inclusive university and wider culture within higher education institutions, the project is supported through funding from the Higher Education Authority Gender Equality Enhancement Fund 2024, EDI Enhancement Fund 2025, and Path 4 Inclusive Environments funding. 

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity

The 深夜亚洲福利久久鈥檚 EDI Strategy, as established and implemented in 2024-2025 through the Belonging at UCC: A Strategic Framework and Action Plan for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, 2025-2028, and Gender Equality/Silver Athena Swan Action Plan (SAP), 2024-2029, has evidenced a clear real-world impact on UCC鈥檚 staff, students, the sector and the wider public.

Achievements in creating and executing a clear EDI Governance Structure, embedding gender equality through the Silver Athena Swan accreditation, in implementing family-friendly policies, and in cross-campus collaboration are among the key outcomes.

MSc Sustainable Development, Agri-Food and Co-Operatives Master's Programme

The 12-month MSc in Sustainable Development, Agri-Food and Co-operatives, offered by Cork 深夜亚洲福利久久 Business School since 2018, is a creative and specialised programme exploring sustainable development from an agri-food and broader societal lens. It has a very strong practical emphasis and equips participants to make innovative contributions to sustainable development. It is unique among programmes in the sustainability and agri-food space because it focuses on the co-operative and collaborative approaches needed, and urged by policymakers and practitioners, to achieve the SDGs.

Congratulations to all UCC recipients of the 2026 Education Awards.