‘Uaneen’ award scheme at DCU - graduates receive recognition for extracurricular activity
1 November 2004

46 students received `Uaneen' awards at DCU's graduation ceremonies which took place in the Helix today. The award scheme, which recognises the extra-curricular activities of students, is unique within the third-level sector. It was set up in 2003 in memory of DCU Communications Studies graduate, Uaneen Fitzsimons, who died in November 2000.

A special reception was hosted after the graduation ceremony in the Helix which was attended by Gay Byrne, who is a member of the DCU Educational Trust, as well as by Caroline Nash, Assistant Director of IBEC, and Uaneen's parents, Mary and Brian Fitzsimons.

The `Uaneen' module was launched in 2003 and is intended to encourage students to develop their extracurricular activities along with their academic studies. Final year students may register for this optional module in three different categories and receive appropriate `credits' on completion of the academic year. 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.

Students who register for the gold medal receive 7.5 credits for extraordinary excellence in extracurricular activity, while the silver medal is worth 5 credits and the bronze medal is worth 2.5. The gold award is for students who have demonstrated exceptional levels of leadership, innovation or achievement in their chosen activity, which can be sporting, social, political or creative.

This year, sixteen students received gold medals for extraordinary excellence in extracurricular activity:

• o Eoin McCarthy, Business Studies
• o Michael Moriarty, Accounting and Finance
• o Thomon Ni Ghoil, Humanities and Social Sciences
• o Sarah Mulkerrins, Humanities and Social Sciences
• o Keith O'Brien, Business Studies
• o Kate Marquis, Business Studies
• o Cliona Casserly, Science and Health
• o Peter Maxwell, Business Postgraduate
• o Ciara McGuinness, Computing
• o Wendy Hein, International Marketing and Languages
• o Niamh Burke, Science and Health
• o Damian McLoughlin, Business Studies
• o Patrick Bryan, Computing
• o Brendan Clerkin, Accounting and Finance
• o Mark Boyle, Computing
• o Andrew Forde, Computing

Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, President of DCU, said that the scheme highlights the importance of both the social and non-academic aspect of university life. "DCU actively encourages students to become involved in any activity outside their academic studies that helps develop them as all-rounded individuals. Our holistic approach to education in its broadest sense has resulted in DCU graduates being extremely sought after by employers. We have worked together with IBEC who have sponsored and supported this scheme since its introduction last year", he said.