Conferring Ceremony Bronnadh na dTeastas 2020 PRESIDENTS WELCOME On behalf of all the staff of IT Sligo, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you, our new graduates to this very special celebration. This year we celebrate this monumental achievement in your life in the most unique way. For the first time in our 50 year history, we host our graduation online. This may not be how we imagined what our graduation day would be but the class of 2020 will be always remembered. We confer today, graduates who have shown their ability to adapt, persevere and overcome obstacles that they have never experienced before. Today you prove you have the drive and determination to define your own future and to negotiate through and around barriers to achieving your ambitions. This life skill will stand to you throughout the rest of your career. For all of you, today is the reward for your years of study, hard work and commitment for which you should be very proud. This year IT Sligo celebrates its 50th anniversary conferring over 1,800 graduates. This is the highest number of graduates in our history. Over the past five decades we have seen our institute grow in size and stature. This year we were ranked 4th best university in Ireland by the largest independent University ranking organisation, U-Multilink who also ranked us 3rd in research, nationally. This year also marks a momentous milestone in our new beginnings. In December, after many years of planning, IT Sligo with our Connacht Ulster Alliance partners, GMIT and LYIT, will make a submission to become a Technological University to provide higher education across the whole of the west and northwest region. The talent that the TU will educate will make a transformative impact in this region for decades to come and will accelerate economic, social and cultural development. The new university in the region will be a beacon for much needed investment and job opportunities into the west and northwest. While 2020 will be overshadowed by this pandemic, you have shown us how to get through this and the world will need graduates like you to rebuild and re-imagine a new world. This is a time for thought-leaders and radical thinkers, who have stamina and tenacity. We have ahead of us a generational challenge to solve the climate crisis. Be everything you can be, use the knowledge and skills you have learned here at IT Sligo to build a world fit for all of our children. Wherever you go and whatever you do, please keep in touch. You now join tens of thousands of your fellow alumni spread across the four corners of the world. Reach out to your fellow alumni through our networks online and on social media. Congratulations to each and every one of you, stay safe and I hope some-day soon, we can gather again to celebrate your graduation in person. Dr Brendan McCormack, President of IT Sligo PRIZEWINNERS The Corn Sheáin Mhic Mhagnais Award The Corn Sheáin Mhic Mhagnais Award was established by former IT Sligo Chairman, the late Seán McManus, and is awarded annually to recognise exceptional achievements or contributions to the Institute by individuals or groups. We are delighted to announce that the 2020 Corn Sheáin Mhic Mhagnais award goes to Bill Crowe. Bill has contributed enormously to the success of IT Sligo throughout his career. Bill started working with the Institute in 1993 and since then has worked with the student experience to the forefront of his mind. He is passionate about marine biology and through the ‘Heritage in Schools’ scheme provided essential outreach activities for IT Sligo. Bill visited schools to give talks on our marine environment and took school groups to the seashore to give young students an appreciation of the underwater world and our wildlife species. Bill has led the IT Sligo diving club for 25 years, running weekly sessions in the pool, trips away and organizing marine biology themed Erasmus trips for the diving group to places such as Tenerife. He maintains contact with all diving club alumni through rigorous social media engagement and has had a hugely positive impact on many a student’s life in IT Sligo. Bill managed the North West arm of SciFest, the National STEM fair for second level students, in IT Sligo for over 10 years. Identifying an early need for dissemination of the students’ work, Bill created and maintained his own website of this event, posting news, photos and information on the event long before an official website was launched. In terms of teaching, Bill is meticulous when it comes to providing students with feedback on how to improve and become worthy scientists and often spent his entire Christmas break buried in lab reports. For his enormous contribution to student engagement, outreach activities and clubs and societies, Bill Crowe is the winner of the Corn Sheáin Mhic Mhagnais award in 2020. Student Prizewinner Awards Each year the Governing Body of the Institute celebrates those students who have achieved first in order of merit in their programme of study with a minimum grade point average above 70%. This is a wonderful achievement and the Institute is delighted to celebrate the following students for 2020. Faculty of Science “ The world as we know it has changed, and Scientists have a key role to play in driving transformation and influencing the debates on global societal change. If we want the world to be a better place, it is up to you! As graduates, you have the knowledge, technology and science to lead this change that our country and the world needs, and so I encourage you as scientists to be proactive and use your knowledge to drive this change. You are graduating from a fine institution - IT Sligo is in the top five education institutions in Ireland according to the EU’s University Multirank review in 2020 and soon we will achieve Technological University status. So always remember where you came from, stay in contact with us and join our alumni. I have every confidence that we will hear great stories about the Class of 2020 in years to come, and how many of you have influenced and driven change in your careers. With best wishes for your future careers. ” Dr. Jerry Bird, HEAD OF FACULTY OF SCIENCE DEPARTMENT OF LIFE SCIENCES Programme Prize Winner Higher Certificate in Science in Good Manufacturing Practice, Level 6 Simone Cleary Bachelor of Science in Forensic Investigation and Analysis, Level 7 Christine Gonzaga Bachelor of Science in Forensic Investigation and Analysis, Level 8 Karen Johnston Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Science, Level 7 Online Rangel Mutavski Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Science, Level 7 Cian Sheridan Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Science, Level 8 Jun-Xin Ng Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science, Level 7 Shauna Maguire Bachelor of Science Honours in Medical Biotechnology, Level 8 Elizabeth Caldwell Bachelor of Science in Biopharmaceutical Science, Level 7 John Conboy Bachelor of Science Honours in Biopharmaceutical Science, Level 8 Stephen Bolton Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Biopharmaceutical Science, Level 9 Patricia O'Gara Higher Diploma in Science in Medical Technology Regulatory Affairs and Quality, Level 9 Serena Santos Master of Science in Biopharmaceutical Processing, Level 9 Neil O'Connor Master of Science in Bioprocessing, Level 9 Clare Tonello Master of Science in Industrial Pharmaceutical Science, Level 9 Kerri Evans Master of Science in Biopharmaceutical Science, Level 9 Siobhan Griffin Master of Science in Medical Technology Regulatory Affairs, Level 9 Karen Walsh DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & NUTRITIONAL SCIENCES Programme Prize Winner Bachelor of Science in Health Science and Physiology, Level 7 Shauna Bennett Bachelor of Science Honours in Health Science and Physical Activity, Level 8 Elaine Shelly Bachelor of Science Honours in Human Nutrition, Level 8 James Blee Bachelor of Science in Public Health & Health Promotion, Level 8 Machaila McCabe 1 | Conferring Ceremony Bronnadhna dTeastas 2020 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Programme Prize Winner Higher Certificate in Science, Level 6 Conor Loughney Higher Certificate in Science in Applied Archaeology, Level 6 Paul O'Regan Bachelor of Science in Applied Archaeology, Level 8 Rahel May Higher Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health, Level 6 Online Anita Harmon Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health, Level 7 Joint Winners Neil Browne and Stuart Myles Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health, Level 8 Áine McDermott Bachelor of Science in Environmental Protection, Level 7 Shirley Bradley Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, Level 8 Thomas Conlon Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Environmental Protection, Level 9 Gina Kelly Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Water Services Management, level 9 Declan Gaffney Master of Science in Environmental Protection, Level 9 Aideen Holden Master of Science in Health and Safety Management, Level 9 James Carty Faculty of Engineering & Design “ Congratulations Class of 2020! You are celebrating the end of an extraordinary journey in these extraordinary times. Take a bow on achieving your graduation award today. I wish you every success on your future career path. My advice to you is follow your dream, go with your instincts, take one step at a time and let your creativity flow, so you can light your fire along the journey. ” Ms Una Parsons, HEAD OF FACULTY OF ENGINEERING & DESIGN DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION Programme Prize Winner Higher Certificate in Science in Construction Economics, Level 6 On-Line Michael Giggins Higher