UCD introduces elective module for students working towards Gaisce Award
12 September 2025
UCD student and Gaisce participant Deksha Shankarr; Professor Alessandro Benati, Head of UCD School of Education; Avril Ryan, CEO of Gaisce; Professor Colin Scott, UCD Registrar; Professor Niamh Moore-Cherry, Principal of UCD College of Social Sciences and Law; Associate Professor Shane Bergin, UCD School of Education and Gaisce Council Member; UCD student and Gaisce participant Meabh Lavelle
UCD and Gaisce – The President’s Award have announced a new partnership to support students looking to obtain their Gaisce Award.
The university is now offering an elective module specifically designed for undergraduate students working towards the Award, or students who are acting as President’s Award Leaders (PAL).
Gaisce – The President’s Award is Ireland’s national youth award and a personal development programme for people aged 14-25. Participants set their own goals and work toward them over time, supported by a PAL.
While most participants begin their Gaisce journey in secondary school, many face barriers to continuing at university – including limited time, institutional recognition, and support.
“Taking part in the Gaisce Award provides young people with an invaluable opportunity to develop their social and personal skills and, through their choice of project, to help build through active citizenship a more ethical and sustainable society,” said Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland.
“I welcome this new partnership between Gaisce and UCD, which will help third-level students to participate in the programme in an integrated way with their studies.”
The module is open to all UCD undergraduate students under the age of 25 who are registered for a Gaisce Award. Coordinated by (opens in a new window)Associate Professor Shane Bergin from the UCD School of Education, it will run across both semesters.
Participating students will dedicate 120 hours to completing their Gaisce Challenge Areas: Personal Skill, Community Involvement, Physical Recreation and Adventure Journey. To successfully complete the module, students must demonstrate their progress toward a Gaisce Award.
“The values of Gaisce align completely with the ambitions of the university’s ‘Breaking Boundaries’ strategy around the Student Experience and Lifelong Learning,” said (opens in a new window)Professor Niamh Moore-Cherry, Principal of UCD College of Social Sciences and Law, who signed the MOU.
“It is important to me that the UCD College of Social Sciences and Law and School of Education are leading the delivery for the university and wider student body, given our ambition to support individuals, communities, and societies to thrive in a sustainable way.”
“Aligning Gaisce with this elective module at UCD is a groundbreaking partnership recognising non-formal, self-directed experiential learning as a vital part of the university experience,” said Avril Ryan, CEO of Gaisce.
“The module is innovative and empowering, fulfilling course requirements while allowing students the flexibility to explore their potential through the Gaisce framework, continue their personal growth journey, and develop resilience, leadership, and a strong sense of community engagement.
“Through this pilot, I’m excited that the Gaisce experience is being further highlighted as an important enrichment experience within higher education. It’s a powerful step to ensure that young people can continue to thrive through Award progression beyond secondary school.”
The new module will be piloted during the 2025-2026 academic year, with an initial cohort of a maximum of 50 students.
By: Rebecca Hastings, Digital Journalist, UCD University Relations
To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie
