A father and two sons were among the 1700 students from IT Sligo who attended their graduation this week. This is the largest number of students to graduate from the institute since its formation in 1970. Ten students were also conferred with doctoral degrees, more than triple the usual number of PhD students at IT Sligo. Dr Brendan McCormack congratulated all the students and praised the increase in doctoral degrees;
“This year we have the highest number of PhD students graduating from this institute. This is a great achievement by our students and staff and is a reflection of the growing confidence in IT Sligo as a centre of academic and research excellence.”
The students have graduated in over 90 courses over the three faculties of Science, Engineering & Design and Business and Social Science. Among those graduating are students from countries across the globe including Canada, France and Oman.
The countries first Honours Degree Apprentices were among those who graduated. The “Earn & Learn” degree course delivered by IT Sligo in partnership with the Insurance Institute and LIA, was launched in 2016 and sees the fruition of the collaboration which allows students to study for a degree while they work full-time in the Insurance Institute.
The Institute also has a father and two sons graduating together this year from schools of Engineering and Business. Richard Warnock with his two sons Kevin and Daniel were conferred on the same day in Engineering and Business Degrees, respectively.
Speaking at the graduation President of IT Sligo, Dr Brendan McCormack welcomed the graduates and their families:
“It is an honour and a pleasure to welcome each of you here. Today we are honouring your hard earned success. Your efforts have brought distinction to you personally, to the Institute and to the often unheralded and silent partners in higher education, your inspiring and supportive families and friends.”