The ATU School of Engineering has won the ‘Best Community Academic Collaboration’ at the recent National Education Awards 2025.
The award is for the Civic Engagement module on the Bachelor of Engineering in Software & Electronic Engineering programme, which saw students teach programming and electronics to 306 children, teenagers and young adults during the past academic year.
The aim of the module is for students to share their knowledge and skills with young people in the community while at the same time awakening them to the possibility of attending university.
The project connects ATU Galway to people in the city for whom, previously, the university may have been just a large building with little relevance to their lives.
Collaborating organisations in 2024 were Galway City Community Training Centre, International Protection Centre Salthill, and five local schools as well as Creagh National School from Ballinasloe. Four of the participating schools have DEIS status.
Des O’Reilly, Head of Department, ATU Galway School of Engineering, said, “The collaboration is designed to enhance ATU students’ understanding of their role in global citizenship and partnership in the community”
It also aims to expose people to the joy of learning and open their minds to the possibility of following the same path as their student mentors.
The background to the Engineering Civic Engagement programme started in 2010 when lecturers tossed around a few ideas as to how their students could use their skills to benefit the community.
The first community partner was Camara, which is a charity that recycles old computers and sends them to the Developing World.
The next milestone was to integrate Civic Engagement into the degree programme so that students gained academic credits for their work.”Lecturers on the Civic Engagement Module were Des O’Reilly, Emer Cahill and Natasha Rohan.
Three of the 22 ATU students shared their experience of teaching what they learned to school children.
“My engagement with Galway City Community (GCC) was not just about teaching Arduino circuits. It was a journey of self-discovery, growth, and empowerment,” said Alex Paton from Athlone, Co Westmeath.”
“It reminded me of the profound impact that education and community engagement can have in shaping individuals’ lives and driving positive change in society.”
“Moving forward, I am committed to continuing my journey as a lifelong learner and advocate for inclusive, hands-on education for all.”.
“This was a wonderful experience helping within the community,” added Ellen McIntyre from Cloonagh, Co Offaly.
Sean Maloney from Galway City said that they would love to do all of this again.
