Alumni engagement and philanthropy



NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR GRADUATE AND STUDENT OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2020

02 March 2020

The search is now underway for the 2020 AIB (NI) Queen’s Graduate and Student of the Year, with the closing date for award nominations set for Friday 24 April.

Over the next eight weeks, graduates, staff and students of the University – along with friends and family members – are being invited to submit nominations for individual students and graduates who have made a big impression.

The organisers are looking forward to receiving submissions highlighting Queen’s graduates who have made a substantial impact on the arts, science, business, sport or public life – or a significant contribution to the lives of others – and about students who have done something really amazing during their time at Queen’s.

Last year’s Graduate of the Year was diversity and inclusion champion Sheree Atcheson, BEng Computer Science (2013). An award-winning global change maker then striving for equality in the tech industry – now working at UK bank Monzo as Head of Diversity and Inclusion – was presented at the Charter Day Dinner in November.  

The 2019 Student of the Year was final year PhD law student Gift Sotonye-Frank, a passionate advocate for women and a dedicated supporter of international students.

Don’t miss your chance to highlight the hard work of an inspiring or innovative individual or group of individuals; for full details and to make a nomination for either – or both – the Graduate and Student of the Year click here.

The annual Graduate and Student of the Year Awards were launched in 1999 by the Queen’s Graduates’ Association (QGA) and the University’s Development and Alumni Relations Office, with the generous support of First Trust Bank, recently rebranded as AIB (NI). The Bank’s endorsement recognises and celebrates the achievements of outstanding Queen's students and graduates, who make such a valuable input to life in Northern Ireland and beyond.

The Awards judging panel consists of representatives of the QGA, the University, Queen’s Students' Union and AIB (NI). The judges stress that academic qualifications, high office or fame are not prerequisites to winning; they will also be looking for nominations that are novel, courageous, innovative or even bold.

Those nominated for the Student of the Year Award should have made a significant contribution to the life of the University – or to the lives of others – during their time at Queen’s.

Nominations for individual – or groups – of graduates should be for those who have made a substantial contribution to the arts, sciences or business or to sporting, public or academic life.

Entries for those who have made a significant contribution to the lives of others, or to the life of the University, can also be considered.

Previous Graduate of the Year Award winners include architect Johann Muldoon MBE (2017); BAFTA award-winning BBC Sport Executive producer Jonny Bramley, (2016); and Ramona Nicholas, entrepreneur and former RTÉ Dragons’ Den panel member (2013).

At a commemorative reception attended by almost 30 former winners held in early March 2019 to mark the 20th anniversary of the Awards, the 2008 Graduate of the Year Jonathan Scott, shared his thoughts via video from his home in Kenya.

One in 13 adults in Northern Ireland is a graduate of Queen’s University Belfast – so over 130,000 alumni are currently making a real difference in people’s lives locally, nationally and internationally.

Queen’s students are distinguished alumni in the making. Every year thousands of students make a positive impact by participating in community service projects, internships and volunteer activities both on and off campus.

Visit Queen's Graduates' Association for further information on the QGA or go to the QGA Facebook page for a selection of photos from last year’s Charter Day Dinner. For general enquiries about the Graduate and Student of the Year Awards contact Queen’s Alumni Officer (Engagement), Andy Nisbit Friel, Development and Alumni Relations Office, telephone: +44 (0)28 9097 1945. To submit on online nomination click here.

For general enquiries about this story or to submit a graduate news item, please contact Gerry Power, Communications Officer, Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO), Queen’s University Belfast, on telephone: +44 (0)28 9097 5321.

Caption (L-R): Pictured above at the 2019 Charter Day Dinner where the Graduate of the Year was presented are: QGA President Victoria Denoon; Gift Sotonye-Frank; Sheree Atcheson; Professor Emma Flynn, Queen’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise and Charlotte Maguire, Manager at AIB (NI) University Road branch.

 

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