Two project from Lero, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Software, have been named as finalists for the Best Research Project at the Education Awards taking place next month. 

A global lean agile project from Lero researchers at UL in collaboration with Ocuco as well as a chatbot connecting refugees with education courses developed by Lero researchers at UCD in partnership Microsoft, together with NGOs, NetHope and the Norwegian Refugee Council have both been shortlisted in the Best Research Project category.

The Ocuco-Lero Global Lean Agile Project team was led by Dr Sarah Beecham (Lero, UL), Dr John Noll (formerly of UL and now of University of Hertfordshire), Abdur Razzak (Lero, UL) and Principal Investigator Professor Ita Richardson (Lero, UL).

Dr Anthony Ventresque of Lero at UCD has been collaborating with Microsoft and NGOs on developing a chatbot to assist refugees to continue their education online during periods of personal upheaval. This project is being piloted with Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Jordan by the Norwegian Refugee Council.

Launched in 2016, The Education Awards recognise, encourage and celebrate excellence in the third-level education sector on the island of Ireland from both State and privately funded institutions.

The Best Research Award category recognises projects that have reached the highest level of progress and delivered significant performance outcomes over the past 12 months. Judges will look for evidence of innovative and creative strategies and initiatives that have been used to help the research community make significant progress and successfully deliver project outcomes.

Joining Lero’s projects on the shortlist is Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre ADAPT in partnership with Huawei; as well as AHA ADHD Augmented from UCD, ITD CNR & WWL and City Colleges & Garda Representative Association.

The awards will be presented at a ceremony on February 20.