October 2006 Largest Ever Conferring Ceremony at NUI Galway Comes to a Close

27 October 2006: A full week of conferring ceremonies concludes today at NUI Galway with President Dr. Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh awarding degrees, diplomas and certificates to over 4,770 graduates, in the largest ever conferring ceremony held at the campus. From the Arts Faculty, the largest faculty in the University, with over 6000 students, a total of 2059 students graduated. From the Faculty of Commerce 639 students graduated, with 570 from the Faculty of Science, 280 from the Faculty of Engineering and 427 from the Law Faculty. Further conferring ceremonies will take place on 28 November from the Medical and Health Sciences Faculty.

Among those conferred were 795 adult learners, reflecting the University's commitment to life-long learning opportunities. There were also a number of graduates who had come through the Access and Foundation courses for both school leavers and mature learners, especially for less advantaged students. The international nature of the campus was reflected by the many graduates from around the world, including Brazil, Kenya, Moldova, Nigeria and Russia.

Commenting on the graduation, NUI Galway President Dr. Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, said: "It is always a proud moment to witness students who have spent some of their formative years here with us at NUI Galway being honoured with such high accolades. I wish them every success in their future careers and am confident that they will be proud to call NUI Galway their alma mater and will remain instrumental in supporting and celebrating the continued success of our University."

Among the highlights of the week was the conferring of eight academic staff with Postgraduate Certificates in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, which highlights the importance to the University of continually improving the quality of teaching and the student learning experience.

Dr. Ó Muircheartaigh added: "NUI Galway aims for excellence in teaching, the promotion of world-class research, commitment to and engagement with our region, support for third level education through Irish, and above all ensuring the University places the student at the centre of all its activities."

During the week, a Master of Arts (honoris causa) was conferred on John Cunningham, Editor, Connacht Tribune Newspapers and a Master of Literature (honoris causa) on Dónall Ó Luanaigh, former keeper of Collections at the National Library of Ireland.