ATU Conferring Begins as 5,000 Graduate this Year

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) commenced its annual conferring ceremonies this week, celebrating the achievements of over 2,800 graduates across a wide range of disciplines, from undergraduate certificates to doctoral degrees, including 12 PhDs.

Graduates from diverse fields were recognised, spanning from science and engineering to health, business, and the arts, marking another significant achievement for the university and its graduates. Over the next few weeks, further ceremonies will take place across the region with approximately 5,000 graduates being conferred this year.

The first of the ceremonies took place on ATU’s Letterkenny campus in Donegal, where graduates gathered with families and friends in An Dánlann to celebrate their accomplishments. Among them were the first-ever graduates of ATU’s pioneering Bachelor of Engineering in Electric Vehicle Engineering programme.

Following the Donegal ceremonies, ATU’s Knocknarea Arena in Sligo hosted another two days of conferring, where over 1,600 students celebrated the culmination of their academic journeys. Included in this group were the first graduates of ATU’s newly accredited Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) Architecture programme. On Friday, ATU St Angelas students were also conferred at the Knocknarea Arena.

President of ATU, Dr Orla Flynn, extended her congratulations to the graduates, “Today is a day of celebration, reflection, and anticipation – it’s a day for you to look back on the challenges you’ve overcome, the growth you’ve experienced, and the memories you’ve made. As our new graduates, you are not just equipped with degrees, but with the power to be a positive influence in society. Whatever your field, remember that your education is a tool for positive change.”

During her address at the conferring ceremonies, Dr Flynn also called for the lifting of current constraints on ATU and the technological university (TU) sector. Dr Flynn added that removal of these barriers is essential for ATU to fully serve the needs of the West and Northwest region of Ireland, “To fully deliver on our promise to the region, we need to be given the full set of tools used by other universities in Ireland and across Europe. We need to be able to appoint Professors. We need to be able to access funds to deliver essential facilities for our students and staff, and we need to be able to develop affordable student accommodation.”

Highlighting recent achievements such as the introduction of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy programmes, as examples of delivering on the potential of ATU, Dr Flynn added, “In our two and a half years of existence, ATU has been especially focused on the needs of the people of our region. The recent announcements that we will be providing programmes in Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy are evidence of this commitment. My thanks to all involved in this outstanding work even though there is a lot more work to do in the months ahead.”

In closing, Dr Flynn appealed to policymakers and government leaders: “I am calling on those who hold the keys to use them, to enable us to unlock our full potential and, in turn, the potential of the region.”

ATU’s conferring ceremonies will continue on the 19 & 20 November in Galway, 21 November in Mayo and 22 November in Connemara. An honorary Doctorate will be bestowed on former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson at a special ceremony in Mayo on the 2 December.

12 Nov 2024