The UCD Certificate in Women, Gender and Social Justice (Level 7), delivered by the UCD School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice in partnership with Women’s Collective Ireland, Ronanstown, has won the National Third Level Access and Engagement Award at the AONTAS National STAR Awards ceremony held in Croke Park.
Running for more than 25 years, the programme is a community–university collaboration that supports women to access higher education while exploring issues of gender equality, social justice and community change.
Designed as a learner-centred course, it combines academic learning with confidence building and critical thinking. Through four modules focused on women, gender and social justice, participants develop key skills in areas such as writing, research and analysis while engaging with ideas that connect directly to their lived experiences.
Associate Professor Aideen Quilty, UCD School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice, said:
“At the centre of this programme are the women themselves. Our long-standing partnership with Women’s Collective Ireland makes it possible to create a learning environment that is both academically challenging and deeply supportive. Together, we see women build confidence, develop new skills and recognise the value of their own voices and experiences.”
Over the past two decades, the programme has created pathways into further education while also supporting women to pursue new opportunities in their personal and professional lives.
The award recognises the impact that strong partnerships between universities and community organisations can have in widening participation in higher education and supporting meaningful social change.