DCU Uaneen Module Award Reception
Thurssday 17 November

Daraine Ni Mhaoilmhichil (centre) pictured at the DCU Uaneen Module Award with her fellow awardees

71 students received ‘Uaneen Module’ awards at DCU’s graduation ceremonies which took place in the Helix on 1st and 2nd of November. The award scheme, which recognises the commitment and learning acquired by students involved in extra-curricular activities, is unique within the third-level sector. It was set up in 2000 in memory of DCU Communications Studies graduate, Uaneen Fitzsimons who played an active role in society and campus life, who died in November 2000.

A special reception was hosted each day between graduation ceremonies in the Helix which was attended by Mary O’Rourke, Senator for Seanad Éireann, Nicola Horgan, Director of Graduate Placement Programmes at IBEC, and Uaneen’s family, Ciaran, Mary and Brian Fitzsimons.

The ‘Uaneen Module’ is intended to encourage students to develop their extra-curricular activities along with their academic studies. The module recognizes the commitment that students put in to extra curricular activity and the personal development and learning derived from this activity. The module aims to encourage students to participate and become actively involved through their work with the Students’ Union, clubs, societies, community work and extra-curricular activity in general. Students are drawn from a wide range of disciplines.

Successful applicants are awarded 2.5, 5 or 7.5 credits which are additional credits to the degree. The credits awarded are dependent on the level of involvement of the student throughout their academic career. The credits can be used by students when applying for postgraduate programmes both in Ireland and in Europe, where the ECTS transfer system is fully recognised.

• Brian O’Reilly – Engineering and Computing
• Claire O’Neill – Humanities and Social Science
• Colette Godfrey - Humanities and Social Science
• Declan Weir - Engineering and Computing
• Donal Mulligan - Humanities and Social Science
• Eoin Kavanagh - Humanities and Social Science
• Fintan Lillis - Humanities and Social Science
• Jacqueline Mulhall - Humanities and Social Science
• Katie Duggan - Engineering and Computing
• Kenneth Griffin - Humanities and Social Science
• Leon Barron – Science and Health
• Lorna Greene – Business School
• Medb Riordan - Humanities and Social Science
• Riona Judge Mc Cormack - Humanities and Social Science
• Rosa Tomrop-Hofmann - Humanities and Social Science
• Sarah Farrell - Engineering and Computing
• Sinead Stimpfig - Humanities and Social Science
• Eimear Clowry – Humanities and Social Science
• Sandra Rieger – Business School
• Kevin Ryan - Engineering and Computing

Professor Pat Barker, who is a member of the Extra Curricular Awards committee, remarked that ‘DCU is not a teaching Institution. DCU is a learning Institution.’Nicola Horgan, Director of Graduate Placement Programmes at IBEC who is also the Chairperson of the Extra Curricular awards committee stated ‘As someone who hosts in excess of 350 interviews each year, it is evident to me that candidates who display a capacity for a balanced focus within academia are welcomed with open arms by employers.’