Ulster University has been named winner of the overall excellence award at The Education Awards 2026, held at the Johnstown Estate Hotel in Enfield. Now in its 10th year, the awards programme recognises excellence across the third-level education sector in Ireland, drawing entries from both state- and privately-funded institutions. This year’s event attracted 182 entries from across the sector, with 30 trophies presented on the night.
The judging panel said Ulster University’s award reflected its commitment to meeting the evolving needs of students and industry through teaching innovation and a focus on real-world impact. The university also picked up the award for best marketing and communications team. “Ulster University’s collaborative approach and investment in excellence have strengthened both academic performance and student experience,” the award citation read. “By continuously raising standards and embracing change, it sets a benchmark for others across the sector.”
Errigal Group took the apprenticeship programme award for its Accelerator Pathway, an employer-led initiative addressing construction skills shortages through a combination of training, formal qualifications and pastoral support. Judges praised the entry, noting it was backed by apprentice feedback and demonstrated a holistic approach to learner development with a clear commitment to career progression within the organisation.
Owen McGowan, Ireland country manager for Ireland at Compass Education, said sponsoring the awards reflects the company’s commitment to driving innovation and recognising excellence in the sector. “We champion digital transformation that empowers staff and students and celebrate the vital role further education plays in shaping skills for the next generation of learners,” he added.
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The best online learning experience award went to Flúirse, which has delivered continuous professional development to Irish primary school teachers for 19 years. Judges singled out the organisation’s integration of universal design for learning, artificial intelligence-supported development, moderated engagement and measurable completion rates as particularly impressive.
Pamela O’Brien of Bristol Myers Squibb described winning the internship award as “a tremendous honour”, highlighting the company’s investment in developing future talent through mentoring, meaningful work and academic partnerships to strengthen Ireland’s life sciences pipeline.
Maeve Liston of Mary Immaculate College said recognition for the Craft Maker Space affirms the value of sustained engagement with schools, families and communities, built on a shared commitment to making Steam education inclusive and accessible.
Mary Lyons, director of enterprise, employees and skills at Solas, said the organisation was proud to support an awards programme that recognises innovation, excellence and partnership across lifelong learning, noting that the collaboration celebrated between education providers and employers shows how skills development strengthens Ireland’s workforce, productivity and competitiveness across key sectors.
Among the shortlisted finalists, Donn O’Sullivan of Limerick City and County Council said the Limerick Student City initiative positions the city as a hub of academic excellence and student life, offering opportunities and experiences beyond the lecture hall. He added that the council is proud to see the initiative recognised at a national level through the awards.
Paul Dunne at Phlow Academy described being recognised across multiple categories as a hugely encouraging moment, noting that the platform was built on the belief that learning should move at the pace of understanding. He called the acknowledgment “both humbling and motivating”.
Andrea Leyden of the National College of Ireland (NCI) said visibility at the awards this year was especially important as NCI celebrates its 75th anniversary. She said that the event offered a valuable opportunity to showcase the college’s research, outreach and access initiatives.
PCI College’s David O’Mara said the college was thrilled to see its MSc Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and MSc Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy programmes shortlisted for best masters programme, describing the recognition as a reflection of students’ commitment as much as staff support.
Laura Grehan of the Adapt Centre at DCU said #DiscussAI has reached more than 85,000 people nationally, working with communities often excluded from technology conversations. She credited the achievement to collaboration between Adapt professionals, 170 researchers and diverse community partners.
The outstanding contribution award was presented to UCD’s Professor Michael Peter Kennedy, in recognition of a distinguished career spanning microelectronics research, engineering education and academic leadership. His output across non-linear circuits, neural networks, and signal processing is evidenced in over 400 publications and multiple patents.
Judging coordinator Willie Donnelly said the programme had seen a marked increase in submissions from individual businesses and business associations this year, with entries showing a better balance between initiatives addressing the economic, social and cultural needs of society. He added that the entries highlighted the potential of the higher education ecosystem to respond to the economic and social environment by delivering innovative solutions, offering a positive outlook for the future.
Speaking at the ceremony, Kevin O’Driscoll, director of partnership programmes at awards organiser Business River, thanked the event’s sponsors and supporters for making the evening possible, singling out gold sponsors Compass Education and Solas for their investment in and support of the awards.
Awards judges
- Willie Donnelly (judging coordinator), director of research and innovation, the Technical Higher Education Association (THEA)
- Georgina Andrews, vice chancellor and chief executive, Bath Spa University
- Joe Collins, director of further education and training, ETBI
- Triena Delany, director of operations, Faculty of Education, Mary Immaculate College
- Lisa Griffith, director, Digital Repository of Ireland
- Colette Henry, head of Department of Business Studies, Dundalk Institute of Technology
- Helen Higson, professor of HE learning and management, Aston Business School, Birmingham, UK
- Mary Kelly, president, Hibernia College
- Allison Kenneally, vice president for equality, diversity and inclusion, South East Technological University
- Rachael Langford, president and vice chancellor, Cardiff Metropolitan University
- Donal McAlister, international affairs manager, South East technological University
- Anne McGlynn, accreditation and curriculum manager, Insurance Institute of Ireland
- Denise McMorrow, student experience manager and chair of Unesco Dublin Learning City, IADT
- Paul Mullally, director, Education Lighthouse
- Ciarán Ó Hannracháin, director of strategic business projects, Atlantic Technological University
- Patricia O’Sullivan, executive director, The Higher Education Colleges Association
- Rory O’Boyle, head of PPC, Law Society of Ireland
- Martin O’Connell, head of EU programmes (Photonics), UCC-Tyndall
- Rory O’Sullivan, adjunct professor, FET Research Centre, Institute of Education, Dublin City University
- Lorcan O’Connor Lloyd, chief executive, English Education Ireland
- Kushan Rathnasekara, researcher, University of Kelaniya
- Patrice Twomey, director, co-operative education and careers, University of Limerick
- Yuxin Wang, chief executive and co-founder, GoMappED
- Shauna Whyte, vice president of people, culture and EDI, South East Technological University
- Claire Woods, head of the School of Education, Ulster University
Award winners
Overall excellence award
Winner: Ulster University
Outstanding contribution award
Recipient: Professor Michael Peter Kennedy
Apprenticeship programme award
Winner: Errigal Group
Apprenticeship programme award – education provider
Winner: University College Cork – Social Work Apprenticeship
Best graduate training programme
Winner: Iarnród Éireann Graduate Development Programme
Best internship programme award
Winner: BMS Cruiserath – BMS Ireland Internship Programme
Diversity, inclusivity, equality award
Winner: South East Technological University
Career impact strategy – employability, access & skills development
Winner: MTU Access Service – Ready Steady Work
Career impact strategy – industry engagement, placements & work-based learning
Winner: University of Limerick – UL@Work
Innovative access to third-level education
Winner: University College Cork – id+futures initiative
International engagement award
Winner: International Office, Mary Immaculate College
Most innovative digital transformation (sponsored by Compass Education)
Winner: StudentVolunteer.ie – Platform+
Student engagement & communications award
Winner: University of Limerick – Academic Registry
Excellence in education by a professional body
Winner: Chartered Accountants Ireland Skillnet – Professional Scepticism Virtual Reality Training Programme
Excellence in sustainability
Winner: National Learning Network – Delivering Sustainability with Social Impact
Best workforce upskilling initiative (sponsored by Solas)
Winner: Iarnród Éireann – Career Development
Best education outreach award – learner, schools & academic engagement
Winner: Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, Ireland – CRAFT Maker Space at MIC
Best education outreach award – community & public engagement
Winner: The Alzheimer Society of Ireland – Creating a Dementia Inclusive Generation
Best collaboration award – international
Winner: Mary Immaculate College & CAPES – Professional Development Programme for Brazilian Primary and Secondary Education Teachers in Ireland
Best collaboration award – domestic (economic, digital & workforce development)
Winner: Gaelchultúr & MSLETB – Advancing Careers le Gaeilge
Best collaboration award – domestic (public good, culture & social impact)
Winner: University of Galway – Building the Empathy Studio Through Co-Creation and Collaboration
Best Erasmus programme
Winner: RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Best further education provider (sponsored by Compass Education)
Winner: Mayo College of Further Education and Training
Best language school
Winner: Gaelchultúr
Best library team
Winner: Bord Bia’s Library, Knowledge & Market Intelligence Team – A Strategic Insight Engine
Best marketing/communications team
Winner: Ulster University – Market Engagement Team
Best masters programme
Winner: University College Cork – MSc Information Systems for Business Performance
Best online learning experience
Winner: Flúirse – Online Teacher Summer Courses Programme
Best research project
Winner: Maynooth University – NeoSepsis: Research producing a life-changing neonatal test kit in Uganda
Best student experience award
Winner: Certified Irish Angus
