April 2016 Over 320 Primary School Students ‘Graduate’ from NUI Galway

NUI Galway recently conferred special certificates on the tenth cohort of ‘graduates’ from its Youth Academy. In total, 324 primary school children from across the West of Ireland received their certificates, with more than 1,000 friends and family attending the ceremony.

Established in 2012, the Youth Academy aims to inspire entry to university by introducing primary school students and their families to university life. Since its foundation, almost 2,000 students have graduated from a variety of courses on Saturday mornings ranging from Mandarin to Art, Engineering to Creative Writing, Cell-EXPLORERS and Kitchen Chemistry to IT and The World of Cops and Robbers to Social Innovation.

The Youth Academy runs for a six week period and works with high ability fourth, fifth and sixth class primary school children to support their learning and academic development, in partnership with their primary schools.

Speaking at the event, President of NUI Galway, Dr Jim Browne, said: “The Youth Academy is a very important initiative by this University. We feel that it responds to the educational needs of our most important young citizens and gives talented young students the opportunity to get experience of learning in a university. NUI Galway is committed to the sharing of knowledge with the wider community and ensuring that the pathways to university are open to all. I hope that initiatives such as the Youth Academy can highlight how the University can and does serve its community, not only here Galway but in society in general.”

For further information on the courses and participation please contact Geraldine Marley, NUI Galway Youth Academy Coordinator, at youthacademy@nuigalway.ie.

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