Northern Ireland students recognised in Global Awards Programme

Fourteen undergraduate students from Northern Ireland have been recognised in The Undergraduate Awards 2017 Programme.

Fifteen papers from these students have been selected as among the very best from an overall pool of over 6,000 submissions from 299 institutions in 48 countries.

Congratulating the students on their achievements, the Permanent Secretary at the Department for the Economy, Dr Andrew McCormick said: “The recognition bestowed on our undergraduate students with these awards is fully deserved.  It is a testament both to the hard work and ability of our students, and to the quality of the education being delivered by our higher education sector.

This achievement will stand these students in good stead for their future careers and I wish them the very best for the future.”

The mission of The Undergraduate Awards, which is part-funded by the Department, is to find and celebrate outstanding undergraduate work, and those students who have the capacity to become future influencers. It is the world's largest international academic awards programme, recognising innovation and excellence at undergraduate level. It is supported in its mission by funding from the Department for the Economy to highlight the excellence of students within the Northern Ireland higher education system.

This year, Sarah McKenna from Queen’s University Belfast has been named the Undergraduate Award Global winner for her paper: ‘A Shifting Lens’: How intersectionality facilitates an understanding of the dynamics and structures of inequality in contemporary society in the category of Social Sciences: Sociology & Social Policy.

The following students have been named Regional Winners for the best papers from the island of Ireland in their category:

• Jasmine McCrory - Literature - Queen’s University Belfast
• Ryan Sterritt - Medical Sciences - Queen’s University Belfast
• Lucy Coburn - Education - Stranmillis University College

The following students from Northern Irish Institutions were Highly Commended for their work:

• Gamaliel Kan - QUB - Highly Commended in Law
• Deirbhile Murtagh - Business - Queen’s University Belfast
• Nicole Todd - Life Sciences - Queen’s University Belfast
• Jasmine McCrory - Literature - Queen’s University Belfast
• Royce HF Law - Medical Sciences - Queen’s University Belfast
• Ryan Sterritt - Medical Sciences - Queen’s University Belfast
• Ruth Haire - Nursing, Midwifery & Allied Healthcare - Queen’s University Belfast
• Steven Egan - Politics & International Relations - Queen’s University Belfast
• Sarah McKenna - Social Sciences: Sociology and Social Policy - Queen’s University Belfast
• Ciara Corr - Business - Stranmillis University College
• Hannah Barnes - Education - Stranmillis University College
• Lucy Coburn - Education - Stranmillis University College
• Megan Wilson - Education - Stranmillis University College
• Mark Bowers - Business - Ulster University
• Erin Walker - Earth & Environmental Sciences - Ulster University

Dr Brenda Cullen, The Undergraduate Awards Executive Director said: “It is an immense achievement for undergraduate students to benchmark their work globally. To be recognised for their creativity and innovative approach within their discipline can only propel them to become global thinkers and potential change-makers. We are very appreciative of the support of the global academic community who work closely with The Undergraduate Awards to identify these impressive students.”

Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland said: “The Undergraduate Awards celebrates original, creative thinking among students, and the world’s need for such critical capacity has never been greater.”

Notes to editors: 

The Undergraduate Awards assembles academics from around the globe to assess the work received and, through a rigorous judging process, it finds the best, most innovative, and creative undergraduate coursework.

The top 10 per cent of papers in each of the 25 categories are Highly Commended, just one paper from each category is named the UA Global Winner and the top papers from each region become Regional Winners.

All media queries should be directed to the Department for the Economy Press Office on 028 9052 9604

Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via 07623 974383 and your call will be returned.

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