1540 new graduates have been conferred for 2016 at IT Sligo.
Families, friends and other guests joined in the celebrations at the Knocknarea Arena over two days of ceremonies as new Institute President Dr Brendan McCormack presented parchments to the students marking the successful culmination of their years of intensive study, practical research and project work at the Institute.
Degrees were presented to students who undertook courses at the School of Business and Social Science, School of Engineering and Design and School of Science.
You can watch each of the five graduation ceremonies here.
Congratulating the new graduates, Dr Brendan McCormack, President of IT Sligo encouraged the new graduates to consider building and establishing their careers in the North West of Ireland .
“We need young vibrant entrepreneurs to create new businesses and to contribute to the economic growth, that will ensure this region remains the best place to live in Ireland,” he told the new graduates and their families during his annual conferring address.
Dr McCormack said one of the Institute’s key priorities during his Presidency at IT Sligo would be to help foster and develop an entrepreneurial culture, particularly among the student population.
“There are 4000 full time students on campus and another 2,000 online students,” he said. “I consider each of them to be a potential entrepreneur with ideas for new business opportunities.”
The awards presented by Dr McCormack, included Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy as well as Postgraduate Diplomas and Higher Certificates, reflecting the range of subjects taught in the Schools’ specialist teaching departments and their wide variety of research areas.
The annual Corn Sheáin Mhic Mhagnais award, established by former IT Sligo Chairman the late Seán McManus, was awarded to John Creed, a Lecturer in Law in the School of Business & Social Sciences, who recently retired from the Institute after 30 year of service.
Photo Caption:
Niall O’Donnellan (Chair of IT Sligo’s Governing Body) and Dr Brendan McCormack (President of IT Sligo) congratulate new BA (Honours) in Performing Arts graduate Frank O’Mahony from Boyle, Co Roscommon, at the Institute’s annual conferring ceremonies.