Deirdre Parker, Career Consultant, University College Cork

Digitally enabled services for international students (tbc)

Thousands of students volunteer on campus through student activities. This presentation will introduce the purpose, structure, and impact of our e-Module Suite, funded through the Irish Higher Education Authority, to equip students with essential transferable skills, such as communication, teamwork, and leadership. We also aim to strengthen their resilience and capacity to navigate challenges in volunteering‑based roles. The session will highlight the pedagogical design of the modules, including interactive elements, reflective tasks, and real-world volunteer scenarios that encourage learners to connect theory with practice.

The presentation will also demonstrate how the module suite supports higher education institutions in fostering meaningful engagement, enabling students to prepare for volunteering experiences with greater confidence and self-awareness. It will showcase the alignment of the training with wider national goals in higher education, including student success, civic engagement, and the development of graduate attributes.

In addition, the presentation will discuss implementation strategies, examples of student feedback, and opportunities for collaboration across universities, volunteer organisations, and student support teams. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of how the e‑module can be integrated into existing programmes, how it enhances the student volunteer journey, and why resilience and skill-building are central to sustaining impactful student-led community engagement.