April 2017 Over 300 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, 318 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, over 2,500 students have graduated from a variety of courses on Saturday mornings ranging from Make your own Camera to Art, Engineering to Creative Writing, Cell-EXPLORERS to IT and Make your own Radio Show 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 University has many initiatives where we reach out to the community. We push our staff to share learning and knowledge with school students (primary and secondary) and adult learners. It allows us to share with the community around us our belief that education provides everyone with the opportunity to learn, to experiment, to broaden their horizons, and to shape their future.”

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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