185 Wexford graduates conferred at January award ceremonies in SETU

History continues to unfold at South East Technological University with the final series of conferring ceremonies for the class of 2021/22 taking place on the Carlow and Waterford campuses last month. Over 2,000 graduates were conferred in January with awards in a range of disciplines, from technology, business and engineering to the arts, humanities and science bringing the total number of graduates in SETU’s first year to a remarkable figure of 4,733. Among these are 185 Wexford graduates conferred at the ceremonies in January. Graduates at the January ceremonies received awards ranging from level 6 to level 10, showcasing the valuable opportunity SETU offers learners to progress from certificate to doctoral level at any stage of their career. 31 doctorates were awared and the largest annual military graduation in the State from a higher education institution, with over 220 officers and enlisted personnel being awarded SETU qualifications.

Speaking at the ceremonies, Prof Veronica Campbell, President of SETU, acknowledged and celebrated the evolving nature of how and when our learners access education, “At SETU we promote lifelong learning and our students join us from diverse walks of life and through different access pathways. While some of you came to college straight from school, others joined higher education later in life. Regardless of how you entered this institution, you are all leaving with a university level qualification that will allow you to pursue the next stage of your career with the appropriate skills, the ability to continue to learn and, as individuals, prepared and ready for the workplace.”

“We will continue the strong ethos of supporting access to higher education and in having in-place enablers to ensure that our students reach their academic potential. We will expand our research and innovation activities and engage regionally, nationally and internationally to drive regional economic, cultural and social prosperity.”

Prof Campbell concluded by reminding graduates that they hold a very special place in SETU’s history, they are the first graduates of South East Technological University. “Generations of graduates will follow you in ceremonies like this but you are the pioneers.” n

SETU’s first conferring ceremony for Defence Forces personnel. Over 220 Defence Forces graduates received their academic awards at the Carlow campus in January.

L-R: Corporal Lily Ray from Carlow who graduated with Higher Certificate in Arts in Leadership, Management & Defence Studies; Sgt Sandra Murphy from Kildare who graduated with Bachelor of Arts in Leadership, Management & Defence Studies; SETU President Veronica Campbell; Sgt. Shelley Kehoe from Oulart the Ballagh, Co. Wexford; Sgt Nicole Whelan from The Curragh, Kildare, who graduated with Certificate in Leadership, Management & Defence Studies; Corporal Megan McEneaney from Dundalk who graduated with Higher Certificate in Arts in Leadership, Management & Defence Studies.

Congrats to Sgt. Shelley Kehoe from Oulart the Ballagh who graduated last month with a Certificate in Leadership, Management & Defence Studies from South East Technological University.

More than 220 military officers and enlisted personnel received their qualifications last month at the conferring of academic awards on members of the Defence Forces by South East Technological University.

This marks the first SETU conferring ceremony for Defence Forces personnel and their first time to receive their academic awards in person since 2019, and is the largest annual military graduation in the State from a higher education institution.

President of SETU, Prof. Veronica Campbell, speaking at the ceremony, acknowledged the specific skills of the Defence Forces, “As well as the advanced Masters-level courses in technical areas, I note that leadership is a theme across all programmes and I appreciate how qualities in leadership are so important for you as individual members of the Defence Forces – each of you will bring your own reflections, expertise and ideas to the tactical, operational and strategic facets of leadership that underpin a high performing Defence Force.”

Due to the nature of their military service, a number of the graduates were conferred in absentia as they are currently serving overseas in Lebanon, Mali, the Golan Heights and on other duties overseas. n