Alumni Achievement Awards: Nomination Criteria

For the purpose of the Alumni Achievement Awards, the definition of ‘alumni/alumnae/alumnus’ includes anyone who has studied at University College Cork for at least one semester.

Eligibility

• Be an alum of University College Cork.
• Posthumous awards will not be considered.
• Self-nominations will not be considered.
• Joint awards are allowed.
• Be able to attend the awards ceremony in person. If a nominee cannot attend, they will not receive an award.

Typically up to five awards are made each year. Awards will be presented to alumni who have made an outstanding contribution in any of the following areas:

Arts & Culture; Business & Entrepreneurship; Engineering; Environment; Film & Media; Health; Health Services; Innovation; Law; Learning & Teaching; Medicine; Music; Public Service; Research; Science; Sport; Sustainability; Voluntary Service to UCC.

In special circumstances, there will be a President’s Award, awarded to an outstanding alum at the discretion of the UCC President.

Guidance for nominations:

A nominee for an Alumni Achievement Award should:

• Have achieved excellence in his/her profession or life work.
• Have demonstrated leadership/innovation in his/her particular field.
• Be a source of inspiration to students and pride to the whole university community.
• Be a person who reflects the importance of his/her education at UCC.
• Reflect UCC’s graduate attributes of being either: a creator, evaluator & communicator of knowledge; an independent & creative thinker; digitally fluent; socially responsible; or an effective global citizen.
• Align with the values as outlined in the UCC Strategic Plan

Nominations may be submitted by:

UCC alumni, staff and students.

Process:

• The Advancement Office will longlist the nominees.
• All nominations for the Alumni Achievement Awards will be recorded on the UCC Alumni Database.
• The longlist of approx. 20 nominees will be put forward to the Judging Panel (composition outlined below).
• The judging panel will shortlist the award recipients for ratification by the Honorary Degrees Board.
• A minimum of five alumni will be selected. Consideration will be given to gender balance and representation across award categories.
• The Advancement Office will reach out to the recipients via email/phone.
• The President will congratulate confirmed recipients via email.
• Alumni Achievement Award recipients will be recorded on the Alumni Achievement Awards register.

Note: At the discretion of the board, a nominee may be kept on the register to be considered in the following year. The names of nominees who do not receive an award may be kept on the register for one year.

Judging Panel:

• Deputy President & Registrar representing the UCC Honorary Degrees Board
• VP Global Engagement representing the UCC Honorary Degrees Board
• Director of Business Development and Advancement, Advancement Office, UCC
• Director of Stakeholder Engagement, Advancement Office, UCC