The Centre for Academic Achievement wins Effective Practice in Education Award

Pictured left to right: Eleanor Cooke, CTYI, Ita Tobin, Head of Access, and Colm O'Reilly, CTYI Director

The Centre for Academic Achievement, based here at DCU, won a prestigious award for 'Effective Practice in Education' at the Awards for Services to Children and Young People on 19 February 2008. This award was presented by the Minister for Children Mr Barry Andrews on behalf of the Children Acts Advisory Board at a ceremony in Croke Park last week. The awards were established in 2007 in order to recognise the invaluable work and contribution made by service providers to children and young people nationally under the relevant Irish Children Acts.

The Centre for Academic Achievement is a programme run by the Irish Centre for Talented Youth and the DCU Access service to give primary school students from local areas the opportunity to take Science and Engineering courses in DCU. Often these students are from schools in designated disadvantaged areas and would not have outlets to show their academic ability. These schools may not have adequate science facilities and the students enjoy the opportunity to come to DCU to avail of the state of the art labs and cutting edge research facilities. The programme is sponsored by Discover Science and Engineering and is free to students attending local DEIS schools. In the past year some 240 students have taken courses in areas such as astronomy, sports science, forensics, aeronautical engineering and superhero science.

CTYI Director Colm O'Reilly said, "We are delighted to achieve this award. It's a great recognition for a hugely successful programme. It's a great opportunity to give young people from local areas, who traditionally may not many links with DCU, the chance to experience university life."