Pic: Press 22
THIS week’s conferring ceremonies at Mary Immaculate College marked the first graduation of students from the Certificate in General Learning and Personal Development, a programme for people with intellectual disabilities.
Prof Michael A Hayes, President of MIC said he hoped one day the State would provide “core funding” to allow more people with intellectual disabilities to receive a third level education.
“Working with students with intellectual disabilities and offering them a third level experience is important to us,” he remarked.
“This programme is not publicly funded but I would like to think MIC is helping to lead towards the day that there is core funding in this State, as a fundamental right, for participation in higher education by people with intellectual disabilities.”
Prof Hayes also thanked supporters of the programme, including the Sisters of Mercy, the Norman Watson Foundation and the JP McManus Charitable Foundation.
The college’s 100th PhD graduate was also among the 650 students conferred.
The students, who hailed from 20 counties and three continents, received their academic awards from the college’s 27 programmes at ceremonies held on Friday.
Congratulating all those graduating, Prof Hayes said: “These ceremonies mark the high point of the college’s year as we acknowledge the achievement of our students. The ceremonies this year are particularly special as we mark the conferring of our 100th PhD graduate – this is a very proud achievement for us as a college and I want to congratulate those who have received these doctorates and my colleagues who supervised their work.”
A number of students who received first class honours in the college’s undergraduate degree programmes and Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary Teaching) programmes were granted a Mary Immaculate College President’s Postgraduate Scholarship, allowing them to pursue postgraduate study.
Also in attendance was Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy, who thanked the students for their contribution to the college and said: “My wish for you is that you go forward from your time here with happy memories, a humble spirit but also a great desire to help many others along their life journey.”
