Dr Orna Tighe, Lecturer/Academic Administrator in Molecular and Cellular Therapeuticsin (MCT) and the Research Institute won the ‘Learner of the Year’ award and Dr Brian Kirby, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology in the School of Pharmacy was highly commended at the Irish Institute of Training and Development (IITD) National Awards ceremony on Friday, 26 March. The IITD Awards recognise organisations demonstrating best practice and ongoing commitment to training and development.

Orna participated in the MSc in Leadership and Management, delivered by the RCSI Institute of Leadership as part of her ongoing professional development. She was nominated for an award after she developed a process for compiling error free exam results, which has now been incorporated into the RCSI examinations standard operating procedures, enabling increased reliability and improved student confidence within the College.

Brian was highly commended for his development of an Education Skills Development Workshop (ESDW) for RCSI academic and teaching staff which promotes continuing professional development of current staff within the College and a cost effective and customised lecture training course for new staff.

Professor Cathal Kelly, CEO/Registrar, RCSI congratulated both Orna and Brian on their outstanding achievements. “Orna and Brian received these awards in recognition of the contribution their learning has made towards the success of RCSI. Orna’s project brought about effective change within the College and put in place a procedure which has resulted in increased dialogue, collaboration and sharing of skills amongst colleagues. Brian’s project has proven to be a very value adding learning and development intervention within the College.”