11 graduates of IT Carlow Wexford Campus’s unique Higher Diploma in Business in Aquabusiness programme were amongst those who were recently conferred at the National Opera House.
IT Carlow President, Dr Patricia Mulcahy warmly congratulated them and the other graduates across business, science, humanities and computing and spoke of the international standing of their degrees. “Institute of Technology Carlow was this year ranked first in Ireland for university teaching and learning by the U Multirank World University Rankings. Your awards are internationally recognised and will stand the test of time, equipping you for the challenges, opportunities and adventures that lie ahead”, said Dr Mulcahy.
U-Multirank is the largest and most inclusive global university ranking, comprising an independent analysis of almost 2,000 universities from 100 countries.
Among the graduates were sisters Kim and Kate Dempsey. Kate graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Laws and Kim graduated with a Higher Diploma in Business with AquaBusiness. She commented, “The conferring event was a fabulous celebration in the National Opera House, made all the more special that I could be conferred on the same day as my sister Kim. We appreciate the great efforts made by the IT Carlow staff to make this a memorable and safe day for me and my family”.
Kate was one of the first graduates of the Higher Diploma in Business in Aquabusiness (class of 2018) and has been a trail-blazer in the marine field since then, achieving BIM student of the year and founding the Irish Mussel Seed Company and Aqualicense Ltd in County Wicklow.
Two students received special awards on the day. Valerie Moore received the Brendan O’Kelly Memorial Medal from Carol O’Kelly, daughter of the former chairman and chief executive of BIM. Paraic Casey, from Carna Co Galway, received the Joey Murrin Memorial Medal from John Power, a marine author and former fisherman of Kilmore Quay.
The Higher Diploma in Aquaculture is a post-graduate course and the only one dealing with fisheries and aquaculture in Ireland apart from courses in marine biology, which can touch on the sector. Institute of Technology Carlow, with the support of BIM, is continuing to break new ground in supporting business education for the fisheries sector, which supports economic activity around the cost of Ireland, including the offshore islands.
Following consultation with industry, the programme has been renamed the Higher Diploma in Business in Fisheries and Aquaculture. The programme is a 60-credit level 8 programme consisting of five key subjects; aquaculture law and regulation; aquaculture marketing management; aquaculture economics; aquaculture strategic and innovation management; and aquaculture financial management and planning. Students also have the opportunity to undertake a placement or project which enables them to get practical experience in the sector. For further information visit the Lifelong Learning section of our website.
Caption, from left: Carol O’Kelly (Redstorm Marketing), daughter of Brendan O’Kelly presents the Brendan O’Kelly Memorial Medal to Valerie Moore from County Donegal; Amy Allen (Clongeen), course director of the HDip Aquabusiness at IT Carlow Wexford Campus; Paraic Casey from Carna, Co Galway receives the Joey Murrin Memorial Medal from John Power of Olinda Publications, Kilmore Quay