DCU News
News at DCU

DCU uniTY programme shortlisted for global award

DCU’s uniTY programme, in conjunction with Donahies Community school, has been shortlisted for an award at the international Adobe Youth Voices competition. Through the programme, students from the Community School produced a short film entitled ‘Keep Calm and Be Mindful,’ which is a finalist in the ‘narrative’ video category of the media awards. The winners will be announced on June 16.

 

The video produced through the programme focuses on the issues that teenagers have to cope with, often silently. There are 20 other finalists in the ‘narrative’ category with prizes being awarded to first and second place after judges’ decisions while an audience award will also be given to the project that garnered the most votes in an online poll. Prizes include a year-long subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud, a Samsung tablet and donations to a charity of the winners’ choice.

 

The goal of Adobe Youth Voices is to promote learning through creativity by allying with educational centres worldwide and it is supported by The Adobe Foundation which provides those who engage in the programme with funding and software as well as comprehensive programmatic support. The awards recognise young people from 13 to 19 years of age who have used technology to creatively express their vision for driving positive change in local communities. Since 2006, the competition has attracted almost 100,000 entries worldwide across seven categories.

 

DCU’s uniTY programme aims to provide transformative educational opportunities for students residing in communities with high levels of social and financial disadvantage. The initiative is provided to 24 schools in disadvantaged areas, reaching approximately 1,500 students per annum. The scheme also benefits the educators, with intensive teacher training provided, including support from DCU staff.