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Ulster University Scholarship Celebration Event 2025: Celebrating the generosity of donors and achievements of UU scholars.

The annual Scholarship Celebration at Academy Restaurant brought together donors, scholars, staff, and friends to honour the impact of scholarships, donor generosity, and student achievements.

Attendees heard from University leaders about Ulster University’s efforts to expand access to education. Second-year student Sean McAuley shared his inspiring journey as the first in his family to attend university, highlighting the life-changing support of scholarships.

Ulster University offers a wide range of scholarships, from widening access and academic excellence to leadership, research, and the arts. The past year has seen significant progress, showcasing the power of donor support.

With our incredible donors' help, we have been able to:

  • Raise over £1.5m this year from donors
  • Contribute over £800,000 to support 232 scholarships and bursaries
  • Provide all 64 medical students with their very own stethoscope
  • Offer 10 new medical students scholarships worth over £120,000
  • Help pave the way for the next generation of healthcare workers

Take a look back at the highlights from this incredible event to see inspiring moments, great connections, and unforgettable experiences!

event photos

Inspire Scholar Owen McIlveen pictured with Hannah Gardiner of Aflac and Tania Carlisle of Ulster University at the DARO Scholarship Celebration Event in the Academy Restaurant in Belfast.
Inspire Scholarship - Aflac, Hannah Gardiner (Aflac) , Owen McIlveen (Inspire scholar) , Tania Carlisle (UU)
SSE Renewables Vicky Boden, on the left with SSE Scholar Luke Pentland on the right at the DARO Scholarship Celebration Event in the Academy Restaurant in Belfast.
SSE Renewables Scholarship -Vicky Boden S, Luke Pentland SSE scholar
Donor Tim Brundle pictured on the right with Scholar Leanne Burke on the left who won the Brundle award at the DARO Scholarship Celebration Event in the Academy Restaurant in Belfast.
Brundle Award - Leanne Burke (scholar) , Tim Brundle (donor)
Inspire Scholarship Titanic Belfast Siobhan Lynch & Heather Graham pictured with Inspire Scholars Sean McAuley & Callie Burnett at the DARO Scholarship Celebration Event in the Academy Restaurant in Belfast.
Inspire Scholarship – Titanic Belfast, Siobhan Lynch (Titanic), Heather Graham (Titanic), Sean McAuley (Inspire scholar), Callie Burnett (Inspire scholar)
From left to right is pictured Dearphala McGrath of Ulster University, Professor Malachy Ó Néill of Ulster University, Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University Prof Paul Bartholomew, Thomas McLaughlin & Aidan O’Kane from Allstate with Inspire Allstate Scholars Thomas Ward & Tony Devenney at the DARO Scholarship Celebration Event in the Academy Restaurant in Belfast.
Inspire Scholarship Allstate NI - Dearbhla McGrath (UU) , Prof Malachy Ó Néill (UU) , Prof Paul Bartholomew Vice-Chancellor (UU), Thomas McLaughlin (Allstate), Aidan O’Kane (Allstate), Thomas Ward (Inspire scholar), Tony Devenney (Inspire scholar)
Liam Kelly Scholarship Scholar Rachel Hasson (right) picture with Teresa Kelly (left), wife of Liam Kelly at the DARO Scholarship Celebration Event in the Academy Restaurant in Belfast.
Liam Kelly Scholarship - Rachel Hasson (scholar), Teresa Kelly (wife of Liam Kelly)
Timothy Gates Scholar of the McColgan Engineering Scholarship pictured with Donor Gillian McColgan at the DARO Scholarship Celebration Event in the Academy Restaurant in Belfast.
McColgan Engineering Scholarship - Timothy Gates (scholar), Gillian McColgan (donor)
Ireland Healthcare Scholars Sorcha Doherty, Barry Crawford, Cassandra Harold & Ellie Ward pictured with UHF/Optum representatives Bridie O’Grady & Jeannete Peoples at the DARO Scholarship Celebration Event in the Academy Restaurant in Belfast.
Ireland Healthcare scholars with UHF/Optum representatives - Sorcha Doherty (scholar) , Barry Crawford (scholar), Cassandra Harold (scholar), Ellie Ward (scholar), Bridie O’Grady (Optum), Jeannete Peoples (Optum)
Sharlene Gill Scholarship for Women in Engineering Scholar Teresa Burns pictured with Philip Doherty of Ulster University as well as Hannah Rea & Rebecca Barbour of Omexom at the DARO Scholarship Celebration Event in the Academy Restaurant in Belfast
Sharlene Gill Scholarship for Women in Engineering - Teresa Burns (scholar), Hannah Rea (Omexom), Rebecca Barbour (Omexom), Philip Doherty (UU)
From left to right is pictured Prof Paul Bartholomew Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University, Caterina Brandoni of Built Environment at Ulster University, Terry Waugh CEO of Action Renewables, Lana Moore Head of Charity at Action Renewables and Scholar Gavin McParland at the DARO Scholarship Celebration Event in the Academy Restaurant in Belfast.
Action Renewables - Prof Paul Bartholomew Vice-Chancellor (UU), Terry Waugh CEO Action Renewables, Lana Moore Head of Charity Delivery, Caterina Brandoni of Built Environment Ulster University, Gavin McParland (scholar)
Laura Hyde of Ulster University, Scholar Cavelle Long, Heather Mowbray & Pauline Wylie of A&O Shearman Access and Esther McGuinness of Ulster University at the DARO Scholarship Celebration Event in the Academy Restaurant in Belfast.
A&O Shearman Access to Justice Scholarship - Cavelle Long (scholar) , Heather Mowbray (A&O), Pauline Wylie (A&O), Esther McGuinness (UU), Laura Hyde (UU)
Photograph of Karen Moss, Senior Marketing Manager and Sara-Louise Bowman Manager Strategic Initiatives of BRS Golf pictured with Titanic Quarter Group Finance Director Kevin Craig and Ulster University representative Alison Moffit at the DARO Scholarship Celebration Event in the Academy Restaurant in Belfast.
Sport Scholarships – Alison Moffitt, BRS Golf Karen Moss Senior Marketing Manager, BRS Golf Sara-Louise Bowman Manager Strategic Initiatives, Titanic Quarter Kevin Craig Group Finance Director, Alison Moffitt UU representative
Jennifer Cuthbert of Radius with Scholar of the Community Development Bursary Nicole Darragh at the DARO Scholarship Celebration Event in the Academy Restaurant in Belfast.
Community Development Bursaries - Radius, Nicole Darragh (scholar), Jennifer Cuthbert (Radius)
Professor and Vice Chancellor of Ulster University Paul Bartholomew giving a speech at the DARO Scholarship Celebration Event in the Academy Restaurant in Belfast.
Prof Paul Bartholomew Vice-Chancellor (UU)
Professor Malachy Ó Néill giving a speech standing in between Dearphala McGrath of Ulster University & Professor and Vice Chancellor of Ulster University Paul Bartholomew at the DARO Scholarship Celebration Event in the Academy Restaurant in Belfast.
Dearbhla McGrath (UU), Prof Malachy Ó Néill (UU), Prof Paul Bartholomew Vice-Chancellor (UU)
Sean McAuley giving a speech at the DARO Scholarship Celebration Event in the Academy Restaurant in Belfast.
Sean McAuley
Professor Ruth Fee of Ulster University giving a speech at the DARO Scholarship Celebration Event in the Academy Restaurant in Belfast.
Prof Ruth Fee UU

Huge thanks to all our donors, students, and staff for joining us in celebration!