HEA Recognises Ongoing Excellence with DELTA Award Renewals
By James Holohan
Posted: 16 April, 2025
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) has announced the renewal of the Disciplinary Excellence in Learning, Teaching and Assessment (DELTA) Award for three teams recognised for their sustained impact in teaching and learning.
The DELTA Award celebrates discipline groups in Irish higher education institutions that demonstrate sustained commitment to teaching and learning enhancement and a shared vision for continuous improvement. The 2025 recipients have built on previous DELTA achievements to further embed excellence, collaboration, and innovation in their disciplines.
The DELTA Award recipients are:
- Technological University Dublin – Pharmacy Technician Programme Team, led by Dr Tao Zhang
- Munster Technological University – School of Business, Entrepreneurship Teaching and Learning Team, led by Dr Helen McGuirk
- Munster Technological University – Department of Marketing and International Business DELTA Team, led by Elaine O’Brien
Dr Alan Wall, CEO of the Higher Education Authority, stated, “The DELTA Award continues to showcase the transformative work taking place in higher education across Ireland. These teams are leading the way in fostering student success, advancing pedagogical practice, and strengthening the culture of collaboration within and beyond their institutions.”
“The HEA congratulates each of the awardees and looks forward to seeing their continued impact on students and the broader higher education landscape.”
Professor Marie Clarke, Chair of the HEA Student Engagement, Teaching and Learning Committee, added, “Sustained enhancement takes dedication, reflection, and a shared vision. These teams have embraced the DELTA process as a means of growth and excellence, and we are delighted to celebrate their ongoing achievements.”
First awarded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education in 2018, the DELTA Awards highlights discipline groups that invest meaningfully in staff development, authentic student engagement, and evidence-based enhancement strategies. Applications for the next DELTA Award cycle are now open: https://www.teachingandlearning.ie/awards/delta-award/
The HEA also extends its thanks to the evaluation panel, Dr Manuel João Costa (University of Minho), Niamh Kennedy (National Student Engagement Programme), Dr Cormac Quigley (Atlantic Technological University), Dr Monica Ward (Dublin City University) and Professor Denis Harrington (South East Technological University).
