Cork University Business School Leaders of Tomorrow (LoT) is a student-centric school-wide initiative to reward the significant impact of students beyond the classroom and academic grades. The initiative provides opportunities for students to showcase their many capabilities and talents, which align with the school’s strategy to ‘Shape Leaders for a Sustainable Future’.
Designed in collaboration with the UCC Graduate Attributes Programme, the initiative recognises the impacts of students across six categories, which include (i) Global Citizen, (ii) Exceptional Journey, (iii) Innovation and Entrepreneurship, (iv) Learning Transformation, (v) Students Choice, and (vi) Dean’s Leadership. In its third year of running, the initiative drew submissions from a wide range of students from all programmes within the school and provides an insight into students’ impact beyond academic boundaries. The 2024 winners of the Outstanding Achievement Award are:
.png)
Alina Buga (BSc Comm Int—Hispanic) won the Global Citizen category for fostering a welcoming environment, supporting students with homesickness and social integration, and championing sustainability and cultural connection.
Marek Zbanski (B Comm) won the Innovation and Entrepreneurship category as he founded his own business, BlueDawn Agency, which helps SMEs digitise their businesses and sustainably drive growth in their sectors.
Laoise Ní Mhurchú (MSc Human Resource Management) won the Exceptional Journey category. She navigated daily chronic pain while completing her degree and now advocates for those with invisible disabilities.
.png)
Izabela Markiewicz (BSc BIS) won the Student’s Choice award. As chair of the BIS Society, she fostered a strong, fun community among committee members, inspiring many to join the committee.
Khushal Paryani (MSc Finance – Corporate Finance): won the Learning Transformation category. From India, Khushal taught underprivileged students and extended his impact through the UCC Skills Centre.
Dr. Tadhg Nagle (CUBS High Performance Academic Liaison, co-lead CUBS Leaders of Tomorrow programme says “It’s such a fantastic initiative for students to get recognised, which for many it’s the first time throughout their third level journey. Each submission is inspiring in its own way, from those that have bred winning thoroughbreds, to those making impacts on the global stage at COP27, to those students that provide everyday support to other students. It’s a side that we don’t see often enough”.
Sinéad Hackett (CUBS Student Engagement Manager, co-lead CUBS Leaders of Tomorrow programme) also spoke about the benefits of the programme saying, “This programme has by far exceeded expectations both in terms of gaining insights into the many talents, gifts and abilities of CUBS students and also the positive impact that these awards have had on students, providing a platform for formal recognition of these remarkable accomplishments. Academic achievements continue to be acknowledged in many ways, but this awards scheme truly celebrates the rich diversity and uniqueness of all of our students across all disciplines, nationalities and stages of life. It is a privilege to be part of this programme”.