NUI Galway recently hosted a Graduation Ceremony for students who completed a Joint NUI Galway/GMIT Foundation Course in Science, Engineering, Technology and in Commerce/Business. 70 students received their Certificates on the night with many progressing to full and part-time degree programmes at both NUI Galway and GMIT. These foundation courses are pre-entry preparation programmes for third-level with students attending lectures and laboratory sessions on both campuses. This joint venture was set up 12 years ago and has proved successful with many participants going on to study at either institution. If students pass all modules on the programmes they can apply through the CAO and may be accepted to study at a full-time level in NUI Galway or GMIT. Trish Hoare, Mature Students Officer with NUI Galway, said: "I would like to congratulate the students on their achievement and wish them every success in their full-time studies at NUI Galway and GMIT." According to Deirdre O'Connor, Access Officer with GMIT, "The current economic climate has resulted in a substantial increase in the numbers of mature students wishing to gain entry to third level education and these courses prepare students to progress to full-time degrees in Science, Engineering, IT and Business." Both courses are due to commence in early October 2010. Those interested in finding our more should contact Trish Hoare, NUI Galway at 091 492695 or maturestudents@nuigalway.ie, or Deirdre O'Connor, GMIT at 091 742129 or deirdre.oconnor@gmit.ie -Ends-