Irish Defence Forces Conferring Ceremony Takes Place at IT Carlow
(Thurs. 5th November, 2015) – Some 200 members of the Irish Defence Forces were today conferred at a special ceremony at the Institute of Technology Carlow (IT Carlow) in what was one of the largest military graduations from a higher education institute in the history of the State.
Graduates, drawn from Formations and Brigades throughout the Irish Defence Forces, were awarded with Masters of Arts in Teaching and Learning and Bachelors of Arts, Higher Certificates and Certificates in Leadership, Management and Defence Studies (LMDS) through an academic collaboration between IT Carlow and the Irish Defence Forces. Amongst the graduates were 12 officers from the Defence Forces Communications and Information Services Corps who received their Masters of Science in Communications Technology Management in a new research-driven collaboration for officers in the technical corps of the Defence Forces.
This expanding collaborative partnership allows members of the Defence Forces to achieve formal education qualifications through career advancement training and validates the training and learning acquired throughout their military careers. Today’s ceremony is the fourth conferring under this scheme.
Eight of the graduates were conferred in absentia as they are currently serving overseas in Lebanon, The Golan Heights and Kosovo. A further two graduates will deploy to Lebanon in the coming weeks.
Amongst those conferred were husband and wife, Sergeants Philip and Valerie Cole from Dublin. Sgt Phil Cole is stationed at Cathal Brugha Barracks and has served five tours of duty overseas to Lebanon, Eritrea, Mali and Kosovo. He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in LMDS. Sgt Valerie Cole is a training Sergeant in the NCO Training Wing of Military College and has completed one tour of duty overseas. She received a Certificate in LMDS.
21 graduates from the Air Corps were amongst those conferred while the Naval Service was represented by its sole recipient, Lt. (NS) Brian Smith, who was awarded a Master of Science in Communication Technology Management. From Cobh, Co. Cork, Lt. Smith is attached to the LE Orla and has been a member of the Naval Service for nine years.
Present at the ceremony, hosted by the President of IT Carlow, Dr. Patricia Mulcahy, was the Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM.
Speaking after the ceremony, Vice Admiral Mellett said, "Today’s ceremony formally recognises the educational training and development undertaken by the Defence Forces in order to develop skilled military personnel of character and of competence. I thank IT Carlow for working collaboratively with the Irish Defence Forces in delivering programmes that meet national and international standards encompassing both academic and military best practice.”
Commenting on the conferring event, Dr. Patricia Mulcahy, President of IT Carlow said, “This academic collaboration between IT Carlow and the Irish Defence Force has proven to be a most unique and rewarding initiative, encompassing the most thorough and up-to-date education and research that will provide both the knowledge and skills necessary for today’s modern, professional military organisation.”
-ENDS-
For reference: Alma Feeley, Communications Officer, IT Carlow 087 8204934E: alma.feeley@itcarlow.ie