The University of Limerick’s unique international work placement programme, Engage Africa, has been awarded the 2012 All Ireland Employability Award. The award was presented by Minister for Training & Skills, Ciaran Cannon T.D at the GradIreland Awards ceremony held in the Mansion House.

Jerry Cronin, Cooperative Education Manager, UL said; “Engage Africa was developed by UL in response to student demand for work experience in international development and education. The programme has seen great success to date with over 120 students have been placed in rural and urban settings across Ghana, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia. Collaboration with key academics has been a feature of the programme.  In the case of Ghana, for example, Mark Mantey researcher at UL, was pivotal in establishing and developing the links.”

Students participating in the Engage Africa programme come from a wide range of disciplines from New Media & English, Economics and Liberal Arts to Computer Systems, Public Administration, Psychology, Music, Voice & Dance.  The emphasis on the programme is person-to-person with students living in the communities they serve. Placement activities are diverse and include education/training, community development, sports development, health administration and ICT.

The University of Limerick pioneered Cooperative Education as an integral part of all undergraduate courses.  UL's Cooperative Education programme is now the largest programme of its kind in Ireland with a network of 1,700 employers. Twenty-five per cent of placements are international, particularly in Germany, France, Luxembourg, Spain and the US.  Cooperative Education is one of the most distinctive features of the student experience at UL and students and employers recognise it gives UL graduates a competitive advantage when applying for employment opportunities after graduation.

Engage Africa is an initiative of the Cooperative Education & Careers Division, University of Limerick.

Jerry Cronin, Cooperative Education Manager received the 2012 All Ireland Employability Award from Minister for Training & Skills, Ciaran Cannon T.D.