The President’s Volunteer Award (PVA) formally acknowledges the significant role volunteering has in the life of UL students.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
To date, 6,928 UL students have received a PVA by completing a combined 404,334 volunteer hours.
At the University of Limerick, volunteering is more than an extracurricular activity — it is a defining part of the student experience. The Student Volunteering Office (SVO) champions this culture of civic engagement, forging meaningful connections between students and clubs, societies, charities, and communities locally, nationally, and internationally. Through its work, the SVO empowers UL students to make a real and lasting difference while developing valuable skills, confidence, and a strong sense of social responsibility.
Since its launch in 2010, the President’s Volunteer Award (PVA) — proudly organised and managed by the SVO — has embodied UL’s reputation as the Home of Firsts. It was the first higher education student volunteer programme in Ireland to formally recognise both the importance of volunteering in the lives of students and the invaluable contribution students make to society. Each year, UL students who contribute 12, 20, 40, 60 or more hours of volunteering during the academic year are honoured with one of five awards: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Plassey. These awards are a formal acknowledgement of the generosity, energy, and commitment that UL students dedicate to service — whether on campus, in Limerick city, across Ireland, or abroad.
To date, 6,928 UL students have been honoured with a PVA, contributing an extraordinary 404,334 volunteer hours to charities, organisations, and community initiatives. These hours represent much more than numbers — they represent mentorship, support, creativity, and kindness that have made a tangible difference in the lives of others. The SVO uses the national StudentVolunteer.ie platform to connect students with meaningful opportunities, support their engagement, and record their contributions. This free gateway also allows clubs, societies, and community partners to share opportunities and benefit from the passion and energy of UL’s student body.
The President’s Volunteer Award is not simply a recognition ceremony — it is a celebration of leadership, compassion, and a commitment to building a better future. Every student who takes part strengthens clubs, societies, faculties, and communities, enhancing the profile of UL students locally, nationally, and internationally. The continued success of the PVA is made possible through the support of the UL President, colleagues across the university, community partners, and higher education collaborators throughout Ireland. Together, we honour the incredible spirit of volunteering that defines UL.
