Expert teaching award for Kilruane's Bernadette
Kilruane native, Dr Bernadette Brereton, (daughter of Billy and Ann Brereton, Rathurles) was recently recognised as a national Teaching and Learning Research expert and received the key learning impact award for the higher education sector. Dr Brereton was among only nine final nominees for the most prestigious, individual teaching and learning recognition in Ireland.
The National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, in conjunction with the Irish Research Council, recognised the final nine nominees for the inaugural Teaching and Learning Research Fellowship in an online awards ceremony at which the contribution of each nominee was recognised by the President of their institute and the National Forum.
The Chairperson of the Fellowship Panel, Professor Frank Coton, spoke of the high quality of the 54 applications from 16 higher education institutions in Ireland for the Fellowship which gave rise to the eventual nine nominees who, Professor Coton described as: ‘an amazing group of individuals’.
The Programme and Communications Manager of the Irish Research Council, Emer Cahill, also offered her congratulation to the nine nominees.
The Chairperson of the National Forum Board, Dr Lynn Ramsey, said that the awards ceremony was a great opportunity. She added: "To gather together virtually to celebrate these outstanding individuals and their contribution to teaching and learning in Irish higher education."
Dr Ramsey said that she was delighted to be able to present Dr Breeton with her award which celebrated the achievements and contributions in the higher education sector.
The work of Dr Brereton was also celebrated by Dr Michael Mulvey, the President of Dundalk Institute of Technology (where Dr Brereton has worked for 26 years) who said that he warmly congratulated Bernadette on her achievement which he described as: "a well-deserved recognition of Bernadette’s long-standing commitment and indeed, her passion for this area".
Each nominee was awarded a sculpture in wood and perspex of an acorn and a tree.