TU Dublin Honours Student Volunteers at Inaugural President’s Volunteering Awards
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TU Dublin celebrated the remarkable commitment and impact of its student volunteers at the annual Student Volunteer Awards, last month. This year’s ceremony marked a special milestone with the presentation of the inaugural President’s Volunteering Awards certificates, recognising students who have gone above and beyond in service to both the university community and wider society.
The event was attended by TU Dublin President, Dr Deirdre Lillis, whose presence underscored the importance of volunteering at the highest level of the university.
Students, staff, and charity partners gathered to honour the dedication, compassion, and leadership demonstrated across a wide range of volunteering activities. From supporting fellow students as Peer Mentors and Access Leaders, to contributing through Sports Clubs, Societies, the Green Campus Network, and external community and NGO partnerships, TU Dublin’s volunteers continue to embody the very best of student life.
President Dr Deirdre Lillis, who endorsed the awards for the first time, praised the students for their extraordinary contributions, noting that it was both an honour and a privilege to recognise their efforts.
A highlight of the evening was an address by UN Youth Delegate Aisling Maloney, who reflected on the significance of 2026 as the United Nations International Year of Volunteers, reinforcing the global importance of civic engagement and community action.
The scale of student volunteering at TU Dublin has grown dramatically over the past year. Students logged more than 21,000 volunteering hours - over three times the 7,000 hours recorded in 2024/2025 - demonstrating a powerful culture of engagement and service. In recognition of this achievement, 276 students received the President’s Volunteering Award Certificate for contributing between 20 and 60 hours. Those exceeding 60 hours were additionally honoured with an engraved gold medal, while 18 exceptional students logged over 200 hours of volunteering.
The university also celebrated the scale of student leadership across campus. TU Dublin Societies alone include 493 committee members who have organised an impressive 1,460 events so far this year - an average of more than 60 events each week. In addition, 314 students serve on Sports Club committees, while over 250 students have taken on vital roles as trained Peer Mentors and Access Student Leaders.
Charlie Beaudelot, Student Volunteering Chairperson and a third-year Human Nutrition & Dietetics student, captured the spirit of the evening in a powerful reflection:
“Volunteering is more than an activity – it’s a mindset. It’s about seeing a need and deciding to step forward, recognising that even the smallest actions can create meaningful change. Whether it’s supporting fellow students, contributing to local communities, or advocating for important causes, every act of volunteering matters. It’s choosing to help others, even when you have assignments due, deadlines looming, and about three hours of sleep.
To all those being through our Student Volunteering Awards – it is an incredible achievement. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed. You represent the very best of student life – engaged, compassionate and committed to making a difference.”
The Student Volunteer Awards provide an important opportunity for TU Dublin to recognise and thank those who give their time and energy to help others, strengthening both the university community and society as a whole. With participation continuing to grow year on year, the university looks forward to celebrating an even greater number of student volunteers at next year’s awards.