April University of Galway students win innovation and renewable energy Undergraduate Awards

Two University of Galway students took home top awards at the GradIreland Undergraduate of the Year Awards 2025.

The awards recognise and celebrate Ireland’s most outstanding undergraduate students. This year, 16 University of Galway students were shortlisted for the finals.

Second year Electronic and Computer Engineering student Sarah Jane Hughes from Redgap, Co Louth was presented with the Innovation Undergraduate of the Year Award, sponsored by Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard. A Stanford University Innovation Fellow and finalist for the Siemens Innovative Student Engineer of the Year Award, Sarah Jane Hughes developed AscertPro, an app revolutionising construction site inspections.

Recognised with University of Galway’s IdeasLab President’s Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Sarah Jane is a dynamic leader committed to solving real-world challenges through innovation, collaboration, and sustainable solutions. Passionate about leveraging technology for impact, she has experience in engineering, consulting, and digital marketing and as part of the award she will have the opportunity to earn a Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Digital Marketing Institute.

Anna Connors, a fourth year Energy Systems Engineering student, received the Renewable Energy Undergraduate of the Year Award, sponsored by Bord Na Móna, earning a place on the Graduate Programme within renewable energy, personal and professional development. Originally from Ballinalee, Co. Longford, Anna completed an academic work placement at engineering consultancy company Buro Happold in Leeds, UK.

In addition to her studies, Anna is passionate about sustainability, the environment and finding carbon neutral energy solutions for the current climate crisis.

Marie Laffey, Head of the Career Development Centre at the University, said: “University of Galway is committed to fostering a culture of innovation and sustainability within our university community, and it’s fantastic to see our students leading the way. The prestigious GradIreland Undergraduate of the Year awards are a benchmark of excellence and are highly valued by employers. We are delighted to celebrate Sarah Jane’s and Anna’s success and look forward to seeing the positive difference they will make in their future careers.”

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