The President of IT Sligo, Dr Brendan McCormack has encouraged the graduating class of 2017 to build their careers in the North West of Ireland and help contribute to the economic growth of the region.
Dr McCormack was speaking the Institute’s annual conferring ceremonies last week. More than 1,500 new graduates received their qualifications during two days of ceremonies.
Watch IT Sligo’s Conferring Ceremonies again here
New graduates from IT Sligo’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Architectural Design. Photography: James Connolly.
Families, friends and other guests joined in the celebrations at the Knocknarea Arena in the heart of the Institute’s 72-acre campus.
In his conferral address for the Institute’s School of Engineering & Design, the President encouraged the new graduates to follow their passions.
“I fully appreciate that many of you will take careers journeys all over the world, and there are wonderful opportunities out there,” Dr McCormack told them. “All I ask – is that you do not underestimate the quality of life, both personally and professionally, that the North West of Ireland can offer you long term.
“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.
“Whatever you do, do it with passion and integrity and do not wait for someone else to take the lead.”
Paul McGlinchey (Ballybofey, Co. Donegal) new Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronics graduate, with his wife Claire and children Sophie and Dylan, during Thursday’s Conferring ceremony at IT Sligo’s Knocknarea Arena.
Over the two days of conferring, IT Sligo’s new graduates are receiving higher education qualifications ranging from Higher Certificate to PhD, from the Institute’s three Schools of learning: Engineering & Design, Science and Business & Social Sciences.
The new recipients include the first cohort of international students from Oman who first came to IT Sligo in 2012, and are being conferred this week with honours degrees in Engineering, Computing in Systems & Networking, and in Medical Biotechnology.
Some of IT Sligo’s new engineering graduates from Oman, celebrating after their IT Sligo Conferring ceremony on Thursday.
The dedication of long-serving staff member Bridie Gaughan from the Institute’s School of Business and Social Sciences was also recognised, as she was the recipient of the prestigious Corn Sheáin Mhic Mhagnais.
IT Sligo staff member Bridie Gaughan receives her Corn Sean McManus award from Beatrice Flavin (daugher of Sean McManus) during last Friday’s Conferring ceremonies at IT Sligo.
This award was first established by former IT Sligo Chairman of the Governing Body, the late Seán McManus, and is awarded annually to recognise exceptional achievements or contributions to the Institute by an individual or group.