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. 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.Winners of The Education Awards 2026 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 judgesWillie Donnelly (judging coordinator), director of research and innovation, the Technical Higher Education Association (THEA)Georgina Andrews, vice chancellor and chief executive, Bath Spa UniversityJoe Collins, director of further education and training, ETBITriena Delany, director of operations, Faculty of Education, Mary Immaculate CollegeLisa Griffith, director, Digital Repository of IrelandColette Henry, head of Department of Business Studies, Dundalk Institute of TechnologyHelen Higson, professor of HE learning and management, Aston Business School, Birmingham, UKMary Kelly, president, Hibernia CollegeAllison Kenneally, vice president for equality, diversity and inclusion, South East Technological UniversityRachael Langford, president and vice chancellor, Cardiff Metropolitan UniversityDonal McAlister, international affairs manager, South East technological UniversityAnne McGlynn, accreditation and curriculum manager, Insurance Institute of IrelandDenise McMorrow, student experience manager and chair of Unesco Dublin Learning City, IADTPaul Mullally, director, Education LighthouseCiarán Ó Hannracháin, director of strategic business projects, Atlantic Technological UniversityPatricia O’Sullivan, executive director, The Higher Education Colleges AssociationRory O’Boyle, head of PPC, Law Society of IrelandMartin O’Connell, head of EU programmes (Photonics), UCC-TyndallRory O’Sullivan, adjunct professor, FET Research Centre, Institute of Education, Dublin City UniversityLorcan O’Connor Lloyd, chief executive, English Education IrelandKushan Rathnasekara, researcher, University of KelaniyaPatrice Twomey, director, co-operative education and careers, University of LimerickYuxin Wang, chief executive and co-founder, GoMappEDShauna Whyte, vice president of people, culture and EDI, South East Technological UniversityClaire Woods, head of the School of Education, Ulster UniversityAward winners Overall excellence awardWinner: Ulster UniversityJoe Collins, awards judge, presents the overall excellence award to Laura Prior, Ulster University Outstanding contribution awardRecipient: Professor Michael Peter KennedyPatricia O Sullivan, awards judge, presents the outstanding contribution award to Michael Peter Kennedy, University College Dublin Apprenticeship programme awardWinner: Errigal GroupPatricia O Sullivan, awards judge, presents the apprenticeship programme award award to Sheena Woods, Errigal Group Apprenticeship programme award – education providerWinner: University College Cork – Social Work ApprenticeshipAllison Kenneally, awards judge, presents the apprenticeship programme award - education provider award to Maria Keane, University College Cork Best graduate training programmeWinner: Iarnród Éireann Graduate Development ProgrammeAllison Kenneally, awards judge, presents the best graduate training programme award to the Iarnród Éireann team Best internship programme awardWinner: BMS Cruiserath – BMS Ireland Internship ProgrammeLorcan O'Connor Lloyd, awards judge, presents the best internship programme award to Fiona Stapleton and Padraig Landers, BMS Cruiserath Diversity, inclusivity, equality awardWinner: South East Technological UniversityLorcan O'Connor Lloyd, awards judge, presents the diversity, inclusivity, equality award to Roisin Shanahan, South East Technological University Career impact strategy – employability, access & skills developmentWinner: MTU Access Service – Ready Steady WorkRory O'Sullivan, awards judge, presents the career impact Rory O'Sullivan, awards judge, presents the career impact strategy - employability, access & skills development award to Olga Mitchell, MTU Access Service Career impact strategy – industry engagement, placements & work-based learningWinner: University of Limerick – UL@WorkRory O'Sullivan, awards judge, presents the career impact strategy - industry engagement, placements & work-based learning award to Sinead Burke and Fiona Morrissey, University of Limerick Innovative access to third-level educationWinner: University College Cork – id+futures initiativeYuxin Wang, awards judge, presents the innovative access to third-level education award to Carol Veiga, University College Cork International engagement awardWinner: International Office, Mary Immaculate CollegeYuxin Wang, awards judge, presents the international engagement award to Holly Cowman and Annette Cregan, Mary Immaculate College Most innovative digital transformation (sponsored by Compass Education)Winner: StudentVolunteer.ie – Platform+Sarah O'Loghlen, customer success manager, Compass Education, presents the most innovative digital transformation award to Lorraine Tansey and Rhona McCormack, StudentVolunteer.ie Student engagement & communications awardWinner: University of Limerick – Academic RegistryMary Kelly, awards judge, presents the student engagement & communications Award to Mags Corbett, University of Limerick Excellence in education by a professional bodyWinner: Chartered Accountants Ireland Skillnet – Professional Scepticism Virtual Reality Training ProgrammeMary Kelly, awards judge, presents the excellence in education by a professional body award to Aisling Mooney, Chartered Accountants Ireland Skillnet Excellence in sustainabilityWinner: National Learning Network – Delivering Sustainability with Social ImpactMary Kelly, awards judge, presents the excellence in sustainability award to Siyaa Inaya and Patrisha Greaney, National Learning Network Best workforce upskilling initiative (sponsored by Solas)Winner: Iarnród Éireann – Career DevelopmentMary Lyons, director of enterprise, employees and skills at Solas, presents the best workforce upskilling initiative award to the Iarnród Éireann team Best education outreach award – learner, schools & academic engagementWinner: Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, Ireland – CRAFT Maker Space at MICShauna Whyte, awards judge, presents the best education outreach award - learner, schools & academic engagement award to Maeve Liston and Eleanor Walss, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, Ireland Best education outreach award – community & public engagementWinner: The Alzheimer Society of Ireland – Creating a Dementia Inclusive GenerationShauna Whyte, awards judge, presents the best education outreach award - community & public engagement award to Alison McCarthy and Cathryn O'Leary, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Best collaboration award – internationalWinner: Mary Immaculate College & CAPES – Professional Development Programme for Brazilian Primary and Secondary Education Teachers in IrelandClaire Woods, awards judge, presents the best collaboration award - international award to Holly Cowman and Annette Cregan, Mary Immaculate College Best collaboration award – domestic (economic, digital & workforce development)Winner: Gaelchultúr & MSLETB – Advancing Careers le GaeilgeClaire Woods, awards judge, presents the best collaboration award - domestic (economic, digital & workforce development) award to Ellen Curtin, Gaelchultúr & MSLETB Best collaboration award – domestic (public good, culture & social impact)Winner: University of Galway – Building the Empathy Studio Through Co-Creation and CollaborationNeil Wall, community director, Business River, presents the best collaboration award - domestic (public good, culture & social impact) award to Natalie Walsh and Naomi Hanlon, University of Galway Best Erasmus programmeWinner: RCSI University of Medicine and Health SciencesNeil Wall, community director, Business River, presents the best Erasmus programme award to Chiara Pittalis, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences Best further education provider (sponsored by Compass Education)Winner: Mayo College of Further Education and TrainingOwen McGowan, country manager, Compass Education, presents the best further education provider award to Michael Murphy and Eithne O'Malley, Mayo College of Further Education and Training Best language schoolWinner: GaelchultúrShauna Whyte, awards judge, presents the best language school award to Niamh Nic Leoid, Gaelchultúr Best library teamWinner: Bord Bia’s Library, Knowledge & Market Intelligence Team – A Strategic Insight EngineRory O'Boyle, awards judge, presents the best library team award to Mairéad Mc Keown and Lauren Sneyd, Bord Bia's Library, Knowledge and Market Intelligence team Best marketing/communications teamWinner: Ulster University – Market Engagement TeamDenise McMorrow, awards judge, presents the best marketing/communications team award to Conán Meehan and Laura Prior, Ulster University Best masters programmeWinner: University College Cork – MSc Information Systems for Business PerformanceDenise McMorrow, awards judge, presents the best masters programme award to Ciara Heavin, University College Cork Best online learning experienceWinner: Flúirse – Online Teacher Summer Courses ProgrammeMartin O'Connell, awards judge, presents the best online learning experience award to Tomas Finneran, Flúirse Best research projectWinner: Maynooth University – NeoSepsis: Research producing a life-changing neonatal test kit in UgandaMartin O'Connell, awards judge, presents the best research project award to Nicola Mountford, Maynooth University Best student experience awardWinner: Certified Irish AngusJoe Collins, awards judge, presents the best student experience award to Charles Smith and Órlaith McLaughlin, Certified Irish Angus