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Pictured (L/R): Shannon Healy (Scoil Aiséirí Chríost), Mishti Patil (St. Maries of the Isle), Delia Tchounda (North Presentation Primary), Sophie Murphy (Scoil Oilibhéir – winner), Patrik Bilinski (St. Patricks Boys N.S) and Fatimah Haidaran (Togher Girls NS). Image: Colm Lougheed

Access UCC PLUS Programme’s Schools Outreach Team, works with Cork City DEIS primary schools in Cork City, with 5^th Class pupils learn about educational opportunities available to them through UCC’s Professor Fluffy Programme.  This fun, interactive initiative aims to widen participation in third-level education in disadvantaged areas.  The programme uses Professor Fluffy as a mascot to raise awareness of the impact of education on improving career and life opportunities and fosters an understanding of the concept of choice.

The Professor Fluffy Bookmark winning bookmark was launched today in UCC.  5^th Class DEIS pupils are asked to design a bookmark during College Awareness Week to showcase what the word “university” means to them.  The competition has been running since 2016 and all 5^th class students from linked schools are invited to participate.  Class prizes are kindly donated by Fota Wildlife Park, UCC’s Mardyke Arena and UCC’s School of Chemistry.   The winner, runner ups and finalists are all celebrated by Community advocates such as Hollyhill Library, Fota Wildlife Park and internal UCC departments such as the Boole Library and UCC’s School of Chemistry, all eager to get involved celebrating the young talent of the future.   The overall winning bookmark is then used by UCC’s Access with the Professor Fluffy programme for the academic year. 

2023 Professor Fluffy Bookmark Winners

First place – Sophie Murphy, Scoil Oilibhéir

Runner up – Shannon Healy, Scoil Aiséirí Chríost

Runner up – Patrik Bilinski, St. Patricks Boys N.S

Runner up – Mishti Patil, St. Maries of the Isle

Runner up – Delia Tchounda, North Presentation Primary

Runner up – Fatimah Haidaran, Togher Girls NS

Research shows that the earlier a child thinks about the future, and the earlier they set their goals high, the more likely they are to achieve them. By showing primary-age children what higher education is, we can give them something to consider for their future.  It also shows them that higher education and education is not all about subjects that you study in school; it can also be about your hobbies: music, drama, dance or sports. By introducing primary children to higher education in a fun way we are helping them to see that higher education could be a choice when they leave school.

The Professor Fluffy project based on the University of Liverpool programme has been customised for use by University College Cork and is called The Professor Fluffy Education Adventure.