Celebrating 175 Years of artistic excellence with Carson McDowell
This year, Belfast School of Art marked 175 years of creativity with a spectacular Graduate Showcase, supported by long-term partner Carson McDowell Solicitors.
A highlight of Belfast’s cultural calendar, the event featured groundbreaking work by final-year and graduate students across art, fashion and textile design, illustration, animation and more.
An exclusive preview event brought together corporate partners and key figures from business and the arts to unveil the 175 Ambassadors—outstanding artists and creatives who will champion the School’s rich local and global legacy, celebrating its impact past, present, and future.
Neasa Quigley, Senior Partner at Carson McDowell LLP, shared:
"This is a truly exciting year to be connected with the Belfast School of Art, which has been at the forefront of design and the development of young artists since 1849. Our collaboration allows us to support exceptional talent whose innovative ideas and expertise bring both social and economic benefits to the region and make a significant global impact."
With the support of partners like Carson McDowell, the Belfast School of Art continues to thrive, laying the foundation for the next 175 years of artistic excellence and global influence.
US Special Envoy Joe Kennedy III launches female entrepreneurship programme
In October, we welcomed Joe Kennedy III, US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs, back to our Belfast campus to launch Connect to Success, a mentoring initiative empowering female entrepreneurs.
The programme pairs 11 women-owned businesses with executives from leading multinational corporations, providing expert guidance over 12 months to overcome barriers like limited capital and networks.
We are thrilled to collaborate with global industry leaders including Aflac, AIG, Coca-Cola, Goldman Sachs, Google, Irish Life Group, Kainos, KPMG, PwC, Seagate, Stripe, and Ulster Bank to help participants develop long-term strategies which will drive growth and innovation within their businesses.
Together, we are forging stronger connections between education and industry to create opportunities for the next generation of female business leaders.
Ellen McCarlie: A success story powered by partnership
Ellen McCarlie exemplifies the transformative impact of our corporate partnerships. After navigating her first two years of study during the pandemic, she harnessed the power of industry connections to maximise her education and launch a successful career.
In her third year, Ellen secured a coveted placement at Action Renewables, a leading charity in renewable energy solutions with strong ties to Ulster. The experience proved invaluable.
"Action Renewables was the company at the top of my list, as it is highly respected in the industry and has had great success with previous placement students. During my year there, I gained incredible insights into business operations—managing teams, maintaining client relationships, and even contributing to marketing efforts during the COP26 event in Scotland. The experience was transformative."
Ellen’s exceptional performance led to a part-time role with Action Renewables in her final year. After graduating with First-Class Honours in BSc Energy, she transitioned seamlessly into full-time employment with the company and now thrives as a Project Manager.
Ellen’s journey also benefitted from our corporate partnerships in sports. Thanks to support from Randox Laboratories, our long-term partners and primary sponsors of student sport at Ulster, Ellen and her teammates on the Ulster Elks hockey squad embarked on a pre-season tour to Boston. There, they
competed against prestigious university teams, including Boston University, Brown, and Harvard, broadening their horizons both on and off the field.
Ellen’s story is a testament to the profound impact of collaboration, showcasing how our partnerships help students excel in their academic, professional, and personal lives. On behalf of Ellen and the countless other students who have benefitted from the support of our corporate partners: Thank you.
Get involved
At Ulster University, we believe that collaboration is key to driving innovation and fostering positive change.
We excel at sustaining mutually beneficial partnerships with both individuals and organisations and strive to create lasting benefits which will make a meaningful difference to society.
Connect with us today and together we will create a brighter future.
Contact t.carlisle@ulster.ac.uk
