Dr Patricia Mulcahy, President of Institute of Technology Carlow praised Wicklow County Council for its vision and commitment to higher education provision in the county. Dr Mulcahy said, “We are all very aware of the economic and social impact of higher education, but Wicklow County Council had the foresight and courage to invest in this campus in 2008 and onwards.”
Dr Mulcahy said “The success of the joint initiative between Wicklow County Council and Institute of Technology Carlow positions Wicklow County Campus well in its objective to become a centre of excellence in enterprise, education and innovation in county Wicklow and sees the campus act already as a catalyst for economic development in the county.”
In his speech at the annual Wicklow County Campus conferring ceremony in which he congratulated graduates and their families, Cllr Pat Fitzgerald, Cathaoirleach, Wicklow County Council said “ It is extremely important to have a quality 3rd level college in the county in order to support economic development and job creation. Wicklow County Council will continue to work closely with Institute of Technology Carlow in the further development of life long learning courses and in the ongoing evolution of Wicklow County Campus as a centre of excellence in enterprise, innovation and education."
Minister of State for Food, Forestry and Horticulture, Andrew Doyle TD congratulated all involved in the initiative and wished the graduates every success.
Wicklow County Council Chief Executive Bryan Doyle stated that "Wicklow County Council is proud to be associated with the continued success of Wicklow County Campus. I would like to congratulate all of today's graduates on their considerable achievements which will help equip them with the required knowledge and understanding and give them the confidence to face whatever challenges that lie ahead."
Also present at the ceremony were: Mr. John Moore, Chairman of Institute of Technology Carlow’s Governing Body; elected representatives, representatives from regional businesses and community organisations and state agencies; current and former members of the Institute Governing Body, including Mr Jimmy O’Shaughnessy, the former Wicklow representative on the Governing Body and Academic Council members.
Dr Mulcahy said, “We have proven that we can deliver a high quality return on investment to the State and we have delivered high quality growth throughout the recession. To continue to meet the demands of our regions, significant additional growth is envisaged for this institute. We cannot do this without increased investment by the Government.”
A record number of post graduates are being conferred from the Wicklow County Campus this year, bringing the total number of graduates to over 600 since the first conferring in 2009/10.
Two awards were presented for outstanding academic achievement. Ben Cullen, from Dublin, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Energy Management, received the IT Carlow Student of the Year Award at Level 7. Jane Craven Swan, from Wicklow, who received a Higher Diploma in Arts in Early Childhood Education and Care, was presented with the Wicklow County Council Student of the Year Award at Level 8.
The focus on producing highly skilled graduates saw the first graduates from masters degrees this year and higher diplomas in digital media and humanities, along with degree graduates in business, engineering and law.
Addressing the graduates, Mr John Moore, chairman of the Governing Body of Institute of Technology Carlow commended graduates and staff for their contribution to the Institute and wished the new alumni well in their future careers. Mr Moore told graduates that they “were the future leaders and innovators, entrepreneurs and scientists who would shape the lives of this and future generations.” He asked that they “remain in contact with the Institute and bring their expertise, insights and inspiration to the next generation of learners who choose Institute of Technology Carlow as the launch pad for their careers.”
-ENDS-
For reference: Alma Feeley, Communications Officer, IT Carlow
M: 087 8204934 e: alma.feeley@itcarlow.ie