More than 3,000 graduates will formally complete their third-level education in a series of virtual conferring ceremonies held by Institute of Technology Carlow, which got under way today.
The graduations coincide with the college's 50th anniversary and follow one of the most challenging academic years during that time.
As part of the online ceremony, students have been hearing special recorded messages of encouragement and inspiration from, among others, Oscar-nominated animator and film-maker Nora Twomey of Cartoon Saloon as well as Dr David Dempsey, co-founder of Salesforce Europe where over 1,800 are employed.
The rest of a total of 11 virtual events will be held over the coming week.
Congratulating the graduates, president of IT Carlow Dr Patricia Mulcahy said there had been "tremendous co-operation, innovation and generosity of spirit" across the college and its 10,000 students and staff since the pandemic reached Ireland.
"I look forward to the time when we can once again come together to celebrate your accomplishments and mark your achievement in the usual way: with handshakes and speeches; with pomp and ceremony; and, most importantly, in one another’s company," Dr Mulcahy said.
She also marked the college’s 50th anniversary and looked forward to it becoming part of a new Technological University of the South East.
"In reaching 50 years, we thank the people before us who made this possible and we look to the future as we continue to evolve and lead. We look forward to another 50 years of knowledge and innovation, of openness and engagement, and to the many successes that lie ahead for you and all our alumni."
Chair of IT Carlow's governing body, John Moore, told the graduates that they are about to join the institute’s global alumni of almost 65,000 people, pursuing careers around the world.
"As well as its challenges, the world you graduate into presents as much opportunity as ever. Earlier this year you, along with the staff of Institute of Technology Carlow, demonstrated your ability to meet any challenge. The successful conclusion of your courses and your conferring today is a testament to that."
He said that, despite the differences between this year’s and other years’ conferrals, it remains a special occasion for all.
"We don't need to be physically together to be collectively proud and to celebrate your achievement and that is what we are doing today. As an Institute of Technology Carlow graduate, you have an arsenal of attributes. Collectively and individually, you are equipped and able to face present and future challenges, common or personal, global or local. We look forward to your impact with confidence."
