400 students from across Ireland attended the National Awards in the Clayton Whites Hotel in Wexford. The National Awards are an opportunity for student societies to showcase their numerous achievements from the previous year.

The purpose of the awards is to recognise the huge effort made by the many individuals who run student societies across Ireland.

4 awards at the annual BICS awards held in Clayton Whites in Wexford. 

• Best New Society- UCC Neurodiversity  Society  

• Best Society in a Charity/ Civic Field- UCC Surgeon Noonan Society 

• Best Green Initiative- UCC Enactus Society (Sustainable Community Market)

• Best Society in a Cultural/ Academic and Social Field- UCC Government and Politics Society

Best Social Event: UCC WARPS Society: Warpcon XXXIII: Warpcon was a 3 day convention featuring tabletop gaming events. 

Best Political and Activism Event: UCC Fáilte Refugees Society: Annual Refugee Week Conference - ‘Cultural Healing’: In the face of rising hatred, racism, and violence towards marginalized groups in Ireland, including refugees, migrants, asylum seekers, and travelers, the conference took on a new meaning. 'Healing Cultures' featured guest speakers and performers who shared how these practices offer solace and strength amidst obstacles and injustices. The conference provided a space for various forms of expression, including singing, short film screenings, presentations, and conversations.

Best Cultural and Debating Event: UCC English Literature Society: Read Dating: Speed friending, but with books! Each person brought a book, a current read or a favourite and chatted in ten minute slots. The aim event aimed to get students chatting and to help make new friends in college. 

Best SEFS Event: UCC Architecture Society: 24 Hour Charette: To protest dereliction and urban decay in Cork City Centre, 84 CCAE students staged an overnight occupation of the Douglas Street Campus on November 9, 2022. The "Design Charrette" involved students creating A3 drawings proposing revitalization ideas for a derelict building in the city center.

Best Medical and Health Event: UCC Surgical Society: UCC Surgical Conference: Making the Cut: The overall theme of the conference is for surgeons to give students an insight into the training path they took and any tips they may have for current students looking to enter a career in surgery.

Best Business and Law Event: UCC Economics Society: Visit of the Governor of the Central Bank to UCC:  A panel event with the Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland who came to UCC to educate students about the work of the Central Bank and its role in the Irish Economy.

Best Charitable and Religious Event: UCC Surgeon Noonan Society: “Songs For Africa” - A Musical Concert organised in aid of the Surgeon Noonan Charity with the aim to fundraise money for underprivileged hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa and raise awareness about the Surgeon Noonan Charity. 

Best Creative Event: UCC Traditional Music Society: TradFest: A multitude of events and concerts spanning a few days that bring Irish music to UCC and Cork, including sessions, charity events and a Battle of the Bands Competition. 

Best Collaborative Event:  UCC Fáilte Refugees Society with  UCC Law Society, UCC Japanese Society, UCC Africa Society, UCC Jewish Society, UCC Hispanic Society, UCC Korean Society, UCC Slavic Society, and UCC An Chuallacht Society - Cultural Festival: The Cultural Festival aimed to connect UCC students and staff with diverse cultures inside and outside the university, highlighting cultural societies, local NGOs, and migrant businesses. It celebrated cultures and fostered connections.

Best Community Engagement:  UCC Medical Society: Teddy Bear Hospital: An inclusive event that helps children overcome fear and stigma of healthcare settings. Engaged with over 800 kids from Cork city and county, supported by 150 volunteers. Collaborated with schools, including Gaeilscoils and schools with children with additional needs, through "Ospidéil na mBéiríní" and quiet sessions.

Best Innovation:  UCC Government and Politics Society: Used livestreams and Menti.com to enhance event accessibility and engagement for diverse student groups. Enabled voting before and after debates, providing audience feedback. Introduced Q&A feature and shared event links with online audiences, fostering unique participation opportunities.

Best Social Media Presence:  UCC Feminist Society

Best Campaign: UCC Architecture Society: Dereliction is Vandalism - The Future of Cork City: A student-led endeavour to highlight and spread awareness about the plight of dereliction in Cork City and to explore how we can utilise our architectural skills to create a brighter future for the city.

Best Publication: UCC Fashion Society - STÍL - link here

Best Photo: UCC Comedy Society

Best Promotional Video: UCC Comedy Society - Open Mic Nights

Best Mental Health Promotion:  UCC Fáilte Refugees - The Impact of Racism on Mental Health: An event with the aim of promoting an open discussion on how racism can severely impact people’s mental health and how it is an ongoing issue in our society. 

Best Intervarsity:  UCC French Society: UCC French Society organised in collaboration with other French Societies, the first-ever intervarsity based on the French language. 

Best Green Initiative:  UCC Enactus Society - Sustainable Community Markets: The Society promoted sustainable consumerism by providing a platform for sustainable businesses and charities to sell their products. All traders at the market have a sustainable aspect associated with them, such as selling honey made on the trader's farm or using sustainable packaging.

Best Accessibility Awareness (Sponsored By UCC Access Department) - UCC Neurodiversity Society

Most Improved Society - UCC Philosophical Society

Best New Society - UCC Neurodiversity Society

Best Departmental - UCC Chemistry Society

Best Social Society - UCC Sci-Fi, Horror, Fantasy and Anime Society

Best Political and Activism Society - UCC Government and Politics Society

Best SEFS Society - UCC Science Society

Best Medical and Health Society - UCC Translational Medicine Society

Best Charitable and Religious Society - UCC Surgeon Noonan Society

Best Creative Society - UCC Traditional Music Society

Best Cultural and Debating Society: UCC Government and Politics Society