Work pays off for 312 Wexford graduates
MORE THAN 300 Wexford graduates were conferred at WIT’s ceremonies last week.
Among those conferred were former sports scholarship students including Wexford Hurling goalkeeper Mark Fanning, who graduated with a Higher Cert in Business graduate, Wexford senior hurler Simon Donohue, who graduated with a BSc in Land Management in Agriculture, and Wexford FC player Rachel Hutchinson, who graduated with a BA in Exercise and Health Studies.
Out of the graduates conferred with academic awards up to doctorate level, 312 hailed from Wexford.
Professor Willie Donnelly, president of WIT gave the students some words of advice for the future during the 12 conferring ceremonies and urged the students to embrace the opportunities of the digital economy.
He said: ‘With the emerging digital economy the work environment is changing rapidly.
‘Innovation in the business world is accelerating exponentially, with new disruptive technologies and trends emerging that are fundamentally changing how businesses and the global economy operate. This new economy provides exciting career opportunity for those that are prepared to embrace those changes.
Prof Donnelly said there are many opportunities for graduates locally.
‘From the perspective of Waterford and the South East we see a major increase in employment opportunities. Unemployment is falling thanks to the growth in investment in the Biopharma, ICT, Agri-tech and Advanced Engineering industries.’
In his conferring speech Prof Donnelly also welcomed that legislation for the technological university is expected to pass through the Dáil in the next few months.
‘ The region has waited too long for the creation of a university in the region. It has held the development of the region back. Our focus has to be on the delivery of that critical need.’
WIT governing body chairman and Mayor of Wexford Jim Moore congratulated students.
‘While a global stage awaits you filled with discovery and opportunity it is my hope that you can satisfy your ambitions in the region now or in time to come and contribute to growth and development.
‘You are joining a large group of highly regarded graduates from this Institute making their mark throughout the world. We share in your success as we set about future Institute developments which will support the aspirations of future students and the wider region.’