August NUI GALWAY WINS BIG AT NATIONAL BOARD OF IRISH COLLEGE SOCIETY AWARDS

NUI Galway Societies win three awards at 24th annual awards

NUI Galway has retained its position as the top ranked third level institution for societies after collecting the two top best society awards at the national society awards.

At an event livestreamed by the Board of Irish College Society (BICS) Awards from the Sheraton Hotel in Athlone, NUI Galway brought its tally for awards since 1996 to 75.

Following detailed entries for the awards including a portfolio and short video presentation, NUI Galway excelled in three categories at the 2020 awards night:

• Best Society in a Charity of Civic Field – Sláinte Society
• Best Society in a Cultural, Academic or Social Field – Dramsoc
• Best Event – Akumakon, Anime & Manga Society

Ríona Hughes, NUI Galway Societies Officer and BICS Executive Member, said: “As a member of the BICS Executive and co-host of the event I am thrilled we were able to produce such an interactive event for our 23 member colleges and even more so that NUI Galway once again proved what a top class institution it is for the whole student experience.

“Months of planning went into the interactive awards night for students and staff. We featured an impressive new set-up with over 250 groups streaming the awards live, at zoom parties or in person at socially distancing parties implementing all Government Covid-19 guidelines.

“It’s yet another demonstration of the can do attitude of colleges and universities in the face of such challenging times.

“As NUI Galway Societies Officer I could not be more proud of our societies and I am humbled with the way they have coped with lockdown and continue to engage with us and their members, under very trying circumstances - it augurs well for the coming semester.”

Ms Hughes congratulated all NUI Galway societies nominated for awards.

Ms Hughes added: “We want to build on the successes of our societies and we are deep in to planning for the NUI Galway Virtual Summer Festival from August 26-29 which will feature a wide array of events from NUI Galway and the creative Galway community. Anyone who is interested can get details on www.socs.nuigalway.”

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