BIG DAY FOR 1,400 DKIT GRADUATES

The Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) campus was awash with colourful robes this week, as 1,400 students graduated with major awards from the Institute.

A plethora of awards were conferred during the proceedings on Thursday and Friday from Level 6 Higher Certificates through to Level 10 Doctor of Philosophy qualification.

Speaking at the ceremony, DkIT President Ann Campbell spoke about the rapid changes taking placing in today’s interconnected, global workplace, citing that in ‘ 10 years’ time, 50% of current jobs will no longer exist’ in their current form but will have evolved in line with technological and societal changes.

Campbell emphasised that graduates of today are entering ‘ a world of great possibility’ but reminded them that they must be remain flexible, creative and resilient to adapt to this change. Campbell also encouraged graduates to reflect on how they can ‘ give back’ during their careers, highlighting that, ‘ no one gets through college - or through life, for that matter—alone.’

Among the students graduating, there are seven students who were awarded a Masters by Research qualification and five students who were awarded a PhD.

This brings the total number of DkIT graduates with research qualifications to 84, including 29 PhD graduates.

Next year, the institute will celebrate the first graduates of the DCU/DkIT Graduate School which was established in September 2014 and was created to ensure the enhancement of the structured PhD provision in the Institute whilst sustaining current and emerging research collaborations between both colleges.

This year, the graduand list also includes nine members of DkIT academic staff who graduated with Masters Degrees in Learning and Teaching, a qualification that was developed by the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) at DkIT.

To date, 38 DkIT staff members have been conferred with this Masters qualification and a large number of staff have also achieved Certificate and Postgraduate Diplomas which are sub-sets of this award.

Campbell said, ‘Conferring is the highlight of the academic year for the Institute and a memorable day in the life of many students and their families as they celebrate the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. I am thrilled to congratulate our 1,400 graduates this year who have worked so hard to achieve their awards.’

Social Care Graduates get into Instagram Mode at the Conferring of Awards held in DkIT.

Shahzad Imar, Karen Hannigan and Stephen Fedigan who received Doctor of Philosophy (by research) at the Conferring of Awards held in DkIT.

Robert McQuillan (Left), Ardee, Amy Connolly, Ravensdale, Brian Finnegan, Drogheda, Sarah Brennan, Knockbridge and Patrick Kerley, Reaghstown at the Conferring of Awards held in DkIT.

Sharon Morgan, Prize Winner receives the BA(Hons) in Video and Film Production medal from Ann Campbell, President at the Conferring of Awards held in DkIT.

Paul Long, Prize Winner receives the Bsc(Hons) in Commercial Computing medal from Ann Campbell, President at the Conferring of Awards held in DkIT.

Ronan Murphy, Prize Winner receives the Bsc(Hons) in Computing in Games Development medal from Ann Campbell, President at the Conferring of Awards held in DkIT.

Paul Smith, Prize Winner receives the Bsc(Hons) in Computing in Information Technology medal from Ann Campbell, President at the Conferring of Awards held in DkIT.

Prize Winner....Caroline McGee, Prize Winner receives the Bachelor of Business iStudies (Hons) medal from Ann Campbell, President at the Conferring of Awards held in DkIT.