National College of Ireland today celebrated an Education Award for Best Infrastructure, which acknowledges the acquisition and refurbishment of a building in Spencer Dock, just 5 minutes’ walk from the original Mayor Square building, to strategically extend the NCI campus.
Competition for the Award was stiff. NCI Spencer Dock was up against University of Limerick’s Student Support and Engagement Hub and DCU’s Polaris Building.
A lot of effort went into compiling the entry from those externally involved in the project as well as the NCI team, with contributions from John Bright, Project Manager, and Conor Galligan, from Henry J Lyons Architects, joining student and staff testimonials. Bertie Kelly and Owen Delaney provided details and dates, and the final submission was written by Teresa Murray and designed by Brian Keogh.
The 5-page brochure plots the journey from the College’s long-recognised need for campus expansion, through building purchase and repurposing of Spencer Dock, to student and staff responses to the additional space. The work of Governing Body, the Executive Group, and the Spencer Dock Steering Group is acknowledged, alongside our Facilities, IT, and Library Teams, highlighting cross-college collaboration and commitment, and sometimes a seeming ability to be in two places at once!
The Education Award for Best Infrastructure Upgrade recognises strategy, focus, clear communication amongst all stakeholders during the refurbishment process, and the strong commitment of NCI staff.
Professor Gina Quin, President of NCI said:
“I want to thank everyone who worked to make NCI Spencer Dock possible: I hope we can all take pride in our share of this Education Award.
“Our submission prefaced and told the first chapter in the story of Spencer Dock. I encourage the team to submit our PlayLab and Sanctuary, and our Student Support Hub to the competition next year, neither of which would be possible without additional space: they show the ongoing impact of campus expansion not just for our staff and students but for families in Dublin’s inner city.
“We have done great, hard work over these past few years and it is worth taking the time to record that effort for ourselves, and to declare our achievements to our peers in higher education and the wider community.”
Attending the Awards event on behalf of NCI were Professor Breda McTaggart and Robert Ward, who accepted the trophy for Best Infrastructure Upgrade, presented by Denise McMorrow, Student Experience Manager at IADT and Chair of UNESCO Dublin Learning City.
Bertie Kelly was also in attendance, serving as a judge for the competition and presenting awards for Best Online Learning to DCU and Best Research to RCSI.
National College of Ireland was shortlisted in two other categories of the Education Awards, for Sustainability (won by MTU) and for International Engagement (won by TUS Global).
You can find all winners and shortlisted entries here: https://www.educationawards.ie/shortlist
