The annual conferring at IT Sligo last weekend saw the first cohort of students being conferred from seven new programmes across three faculties. These programmes were put in place at IT Sligo as direct result of consultation and collaboration with business and commerce.
Speaking in advance of the conferring, Professor Terri Scott, President of IT Sligo commented: ‘The last 12 months have been one of challenges, achievements and exploring new opportunities and frontiers. Economic cycles come and go and many have lived and progressed through previous downturns. One thing is certain: the upturn will require talented individuals with the confidence, ambition and creativity of those at conferring. This is certainly no time to write off Ireland. We have had difficult times before and emerged stronger. Unlike the 1980s, today 60% participate in 3rd level education. We have world class industries operating here and technology leaders at the forefront of scientific discovery. As the wreckage of the unsustainable boom is washed away, it is graduates of 2009 who will help us create safer and more sustainable sources of economic growth, and renew our prosperity.’
At last weeks conferring ceremonies up to 1600 students were conferred from Business, Humanities, Science and Engineering disciplines. The graduates, who have studied fulltime, part-time and through online and distance learning options, are drawn from throughout the island of Ireland with others coming from Europe and further afield.
Up to 1600 IT Sligo students were conferred last week from Business, Humanities, Science and Engineering disciplines
In Business and Humanities, students were awarded for the first time with a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Care and Education The course was developed in collaboration with the childcare sector nationally, providing professionally qualified childcare workers in advance of the commencement of the Government funded free Pre-School year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme commencing in January 2010.
The first cohort of graduates with a Bachelor of Business in Financial Services were also conferred. This programme reflects an expanding industry in Sligo, as graduates anticipate the opening of the Equinoxe AIS in the Innovation Centre on campus next year, promising fifty financial services jobs.
From the School of Science, the first students graduated from the Honours Degree in Forensics. In addition to working in the forensics area, the transferable skills acquired by students have also opened career opportunities in the pharmaceuticals, food, environmental and biomedical sectors.
From Engineering, the first cohort of graduates with a Diploma in Science in Energy Management were conferred. Reflecting the ever increasing numbers of online students, the first cohort of students who studied online for a Master of Science in Energy Management were also conferred.
Annual awards included the McDermott, Creed and Martyn Gold Medal Award which was awarded to three Environmental Society Students at the Institute, Patrick McLoughlin, (Environmental Science); Grace Herbert, (Environmental Science); Vanya Lambrecht-Ward, (BA Fine Art) who won the Green Planet Awards in 2009.
For further information on the annual conferring ceremonies please contact:
Maeve McCormack
connect pr
Ph: 00 353 (0)71 913 0484
Mob: 00 353 (0)86 317 2161
Email: connectpr@nulleircom.net