Teaching excellence at NUI Galway was celebrated at a special ceremony this week, with awards presented to staff members for outstanding efforts in teaching.
The President’s Awards for Teaching Excellence and the College Awards for Teaching Excellence recognise the commitment of teaching staff who strive to ensure students at the university receive the best learning experience.
Presenting the awards, NUI Galway president Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said the event was an important event in the university’s calendar. "It is about recognising, demonstrating our appreciation, and rewarding the very significant teaching contributions made by our staff," he added.
“Excellence is a core strategic value of NUI Galway with an objective to respect and support the ambition of our students and staff and these awards recognise and celebrate that pledge. On behalf of the university community, I want to commend the recipients for their commitment to enriching the student learning experience, particularly during the recent times of using remote learning, alternative and innovative technologies to engage with our students.”
Recipients of the 2022 President’s Awards for Teaching Excellence are Dr John Murray, School of Natural Sciences; Ursula Connolly, School of Law; Dr Rónán Kennedy, School of Law; and Lindsay Myers, School of Languages, Literature and Culture.
The 2022 College Awards for Teaching Excellence were awarded to Dr Rónán Kennedy, Dr Sheila Malone, and Ursula Connolly, College of Business, Public Policy and Law; Dr Lindsay Myers, Dr Richard Hull, and Dr Su-Ming Khoo, College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies; Dr Leo Quinlan, Dr Sharon Glynn, and Dr Yvonne Finn, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences; and Dr Attracta Brennan, Dr Eoghan Clifford, and Dr John Murray, College of Science and Engineering.
Deputy president and registrar, Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh, said: “Inspirational teaching has always been a key feature of the learning experience at NUI Galway and I wish to congratulate both those receiving College Awards and the winners of the President’s Awards - it is a tremendous recognition of your commitment to enriching the student learning experience. I would also like to congratulate the awardees from 2019/20 and 2021 who were nominated and recognised during the pandemic. It is wonderful to be able to mark your excellence over the last two years.
“All winners this year and over the previous two years demonstrated a passion for teaching, evidenced strongly by outstanding student feedback on their teaching methods and approaches.”
The Teaching Excellence ceremony also celebrated the 2021 and 2020 awardees, who were announced during online events during the pandemic.
The 2021 President’s Awards for Teaching Excellence recipients were Dr Giuseppe Zurlo, College of Science and Engineering; Dr Eamon Ó Cofaigh, College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies; Dr Lorraine Morgan, College of Business, Public Policy and Law; and Dr Maeve O’Rourke, College of Business Public Policy and Law. The team award went to Dr Katrina Lacey and Professor Gerard Wall, College of Science and Engineering.
Recipients of the 2019/20 President’s Awards for Teaching Excellence were Professor Mary Dempsey, College of Science and Engineering; Dr Aisling McCluskey, College of Science and Engineering; Professor Frances McCormack, College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies; and Dr Ella Murphy, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. Therese Conway, Mike Hynes, and Professor Frances Fahy, College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies received the team award.
