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Military Might - Largest Military Graduation in History of the State at IT Carlow

07/11/2014

More than 200 members of the Irish Defence Forces were conferred at a special ceremony at the Institute of Technology Carlow (IT Carlow) in what was the largest military graduation from a third-level Institute in the history of the State.

224 graduates – all Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) who completed courses for promotion to the ranks of Corporal, Sergeant and Senior NCO – were awarded with Bachelor degrees and Certificates in Leadership, Management and Defence Studies (LMDS) through an academic collaboration between IT Carlow and the Irish Defence Forces. Some 40 of the graduates were conferred in absentia as they are currently serving overseas in Golan Heights, Lebanon and with the EU Battle Group training exercise in Sweden.

The collaborative partnership allows members of the Defence Forces to achieve formal education qualifications through career advancement training and validates the training and learning acquired throughout their military careers.

Present at the ceremony, hosted by the President of IT Carlow, Dr. Patricia Mulcahy, was Minister Paul Kehoe TD, Minister of State at the Department of An Taoiseach and Defence. He was accompanied by the Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) of the Defence Forces, Major General Ralph James.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of State Kehoe said he was delighted to be in IT Carlow to attend the conferring and commented, “The success of the students here in IT Carlow confirms the adaptability, professionalism and commitment of Defence Forces personnel and helps demonstrate the key strategic resource that they are.”

Speaking after the ceremony, General James said, "Today’s ceremony formally recognises the educational training undertaken by the Defence Forces personnel in order to develop the skills and qualities of leadership necessary in professional military life.  I am particularly grateful to IT Carlow for its significant contribution to our ongoing partnership and the huge benefits it brings to the Defence Forces.”

Commenting on the conferring event, Dr. Patricia Mulcahy, President of IT Carlow said, “This academic collaboration between IT Carlow and the Irish Defence Force has proved to be a unique and rewarding initiative, encompassing academic and military best practice and that will serve our country’s soldiers well throughout their careers”.