The PANI Student Workshops, delivered in partnership with Ulster University, were established in 2008.

Each year students enrolled on courses across the communications, advertising and marketing disciplines at the university are mentored by local advertising agencies to develop an advertising campaign for a local charity. Past recipients have included Action Cancer, Shelter NI and Habitat for Humanity. The students receive a detailed brief from the charity with the winning concept going live across billboards and other media in Northern Ireland.

Local agencies generously give up their time and experience to support the students in the development of their campaigns. The programme is designed to help give the next generation of designers, writers, and marketers a glimpse into agency life and meet professionals who can help build and influence their career when they graduate. Since its launch, more than 300 students have participated in the programme with many going on to secure internships and even jobs within various agencies who mentored them. 

“We cannot commend the students highly enough, every team brought fresh thinking and new ideas to the table. We so much appreciated their commitment to understand our work and the depth of the research they undertook. The finished proposals demonstrated a wealth of talent that will provide a firm foundation for their future careers. Although there could only be one winner all the teams can be immensely proud of what they achieved, they are a credit to the university and themselves.”

Habitat for Humanity NI

“I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in this year’s PANI Student Workshop, and I feel it was a valuable learning experience, gaining insight into what it is like to work in an agency and take part in a live campaign. It was also really good to work in a team with others, and for us all to combine our strengths.”

Ulster University Student

“Last year the effort was a credit to all the students involved, the mentors and the university. The teams worked hard and their enthusiasm was so infectious that it was a tough decision to decide on a winner. Long may it continue to get stronger and stronger.”

Judging Panel