DCU Uaneen Module Award Reception
Friday 10 November 2006

Uaneen Awards recipients picture with Prof Ferdinand von Prondzynski, DCU President, Professor Maria Slowey, Vice-President for Learning Innovation and Registrar, and Dave Fanning, RTÉ 2FM DJ

51 students received ‘Uaneen Module’ awards at DCU’s graduation ceremonies which took place in the Helix on 6th and 7th 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. Uaneen died in November 2000.

This is the 3rd year that the Uaneen Module has been given academic recognition. To celebrate this, a special reception was hosted each day between graduation ceremonies in the Helix which was attended by Nicola Horgan, Director of Graduate Placement Programmes at IBEC, and Uaneen’s family, Mary and Brian Fitzsimons. The guest speaker at Monday’s reception was Bill Cullen and at Tuesdays reception was Dave Fanning.

The ‘Uaneen Module’ is intended to encourage students to develop their extra-curricular activities along with their academic studies. The module recognises 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 University and outside clubs and societies, sports, recreation, hobbies, community activities and all forms of non-academic activity.

Successful applicants can take the module as a 5 credit elective module which contributes to the final year award for their programme of study or as an optional additional module with a 5 credit value which does not contribute to the final degree award.

In both cases, the credits and marks awarded are recorded on the applicants’ transcript.

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.

This year, fourteen students received 1st class honour Uaneen Module awards:

• Deirdre Moran
• Laura Ní Fhinneadha
• Michael Robinson
• Brian Smyth
• Claire Kehoe
• Maurice Cosgrave
• Stephen Butler
• Denise Canavan
• Charlene Barrett
• Louise Reilly
• Hannah Mc Cormack
• Jennifer Lynch
• Joseph Coughlan
• Charlene Connolly

In his speech, Bill Cullen, head of Renault Ireland said that ‘when opportunities arise they should be grasped by both hands. Graduates should appreciate the opportunities presented to them through their education and involvement in extra curricular activities. Through this involvement they are in turn giving something very worthwhile back to the wider community.’

Dave Fanning, RTÉ 2FM DJ spoke passionately about how Uaneen Fitzsimmons was the epitome of extra curricular life. He spoke of her energetic, enthusiastic personality which endeared her to others and others to her and how fitting it is that this module is named in her memory.