The School of Engineering at Trinity College Dublin is delighted to announce that Eugene O'Rourke, Senior Technical Officer in the Discipline of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, has been awarded an Excellence in Teaching Award by the Trinity College Dublin Centre for Academic Practice. This prestigious accolade acknowledges Eugene's exceptional contributions to teaching, his dedication to enhancing student learning, and his commitment to research excellence.

 

A photo of Eugene O'Neill and Provost Linda Doyle

 

The Trinity Excellence in Teaching Awards celebrate outstanding educators who excel in innovative pedagogy, curriculum design, and fostering student engagement. This award highlights Trinity's commitment to promoting teaching as a scholarly activity and enriching learning opportunities for its students.

 

Eugene O'Rourke has made significant contributions to the School of Engineering in various capacities:

 

  • Module 3C8: Digital Circuits Design - Eugene has been delivering this module since 2016, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of digital circuit principles.
  • Module 4E4: Trinity Industry Partnership Project - Since 2018, Eugene has coordinated this module, facilitating industry connections through internships and talks. He notably organised Women in Engineering talks in 2021, featuring Provost Linda Doyle introducing Michaela Blott from Xilinx.
  • Trinity’s Undergraduate Open Day - Eugene has been organising and attending the School of Engineering’s contribution to this event since 2017, showcasing the Discipline of Electronic and Electrical Engineering to prospective students.
  • Support in Neural Engineering - Eugene provides crucial support to Richard Reilly and Prof. Alejandro Lopez Valdes, assisting undergraduate, MAI, MSc, and PhD students in the Lloyd Building.
  • Technical Support in Labs - Eugene supports various modules in the lab, including Telecommunications (3C5), Digital Systems Design (3C7), Integrated Systems Design (4C1), and Open Reconfigurable Networks (4C21), among others. He also assists with student projects for Formula Trinity, Eirspace, and the Trinity Engineering Society.
  • Miscellaneous Roles - His roles extend to sourcing adjuncts, supporting public relations for the EE Department and Neural Engineering, and sourcing undergraduate prizes (SIG).
  • Publicity and Alumni Relations - Eugene has been active in the Publicity Committee and supported FPL2018, while also maintaining contact with alumni and offering ad-hoc tutoring.

 

Eugene's commitment to teaching excellence is complemented by his dedication to research. His Google Scholar profile highlights his extensive contributions to the field, with numerous citations reflecting the impact of his work on electronic and electrical engineering. His research not only informs his teaching but also ensures that students are exposed to the latest advancements in the field.

 

Eugene's dedication to excellence is further evidenced by his receipt of Senior Membership of the IEEE last year and a previous nomination for a Teaching Award in 2019.

 

Nominated by his students, Eugene received numerous heartfelt testimonials praising his dedication, communication skills, and willingness to go above and beyond to support student learning:

 

"Great interactions with students, fantastic at explaining what we are being taught and just great communication overall."

"Eugene is an excellent teacher. He made complex teamwork-based projects fun and was always available to help, often staying late to keep the lab open for students."

"He is approachable, helpful, and dedicated to student success, always willing to sacrifice his own time to support us."

"His presence and dedication set a positive tone for the class, motivating students to push themselves and succeed."

 

Eugene emphasises that his achievements are a team effort, acknowledging the invaluable support of the Technical Staff & Administration team in the Discipline of Electronic and Electrical Engineering: Shane Hunt, John Squires, Cormac Molloy, Mark Linnane, Michael O’Riordan & Caroline Murphy.

Professor Alan O’Connor, Head of the School of Engineering, expressed his admiration for Eugene’s accomplishments, stating:

"Eugene O'Rourke exemplifies the spirit of dedication and excellence that we strive for in the School of Engineering. His commitment to both teaching and research, along with his unwavering support for students, makes him a deserving recipient of this award. We are immensely proud to have Eugene as part of our team."

 

The School of Engineering congratulates Eugene O'Rourke on this well-deserved recognition and thanks him for his continued dedication to teaching excellence, research innovation, and student success.