The winner of the Corn Sheáin Mhic Mhagnais award for the academic year 2020 – 2021 was presented to Head of Online Learning Innovation, Brian Mulligan, at the institute’s last ever conferring ceremony as IT Sligo.
With the evolution of the internet, twenty years ago Brian recognised the opportunity for online learning for students for whom attending physically on IT Sligo’s campus was not possible. For part-time students who work, online study outside of working hours enabled them to meet personal/family commitments while achieving their career goal of furthering their education.
President of IT Sligo presenting the award said:
“Brian’s understanding that online learning was first and foremost about people rather than technology has been the very core of our success. Without Brian’s inspiring vision coupled with the hard work by Brian and colleagues in the Centre for Online Learning and across the Institute, IT Sligo would not be the force in online learning that we are today.”
Corn Sheáin Mhic Mhagnais was established by former IT Sligo Chairman, the late Seán McManus, and is awarded annually to recognise exceptional achievements or contributions to the Institute by individuals or groups.
Accepting the award at IT Sligo’s conferring ceremony on Tuesday, Brian said:
“It’s an honour to have my work recognised by my colleagues through this award. We have achieved a lot over the last 20 years in online learning but it really has been a team effort and I have been very lucky to have had the pleasure of working with wonderfully talented and committed people. I’ve really enjoyed the work and I hope we have done something good for the region and the country.”