The WIT of class of 2021 have their conferring ceremonies this week, the last group of graduates before the Institute of Technology becomes a University.
More than 20 ceremonies take place at the College Street Campus in Waterford City, between Tuesday March 1st and Thursday March 3rd.
A conferring celebration for 2020 graduates takes place on Friday March 4th, due to the fact that they missed out on the opportunity to celebrate their achievements during the global pandemic.
They are the first in-person conferring ceremonies run by WIT since 2019. People who cannot attend in person can view them here.
Strong representation from the South East
31% (785) of the 2,534 graduates of 2021 being conferred this week are from Waterford City and County.
The majority of the WIT graduates (68%) are from the South East, with 335 from Wexford (13%), 281 from Kilkenny (11%), 259 from Tipperary (10%), and 72 from Carlow (3%). 194 graduates are from Cork (8%).
Technology shaping the future
In his conferring address, Prof Willie Donnelly, President of WIT highlighted the impact of smart technology on career paths:
The emergence of the digital society mainly driven by the internet and smart technologies is transforming all aspects of our life to the benefit of society as a whole. No matter what your primary degree and chosen profession it is clear that technology is having a profound impact on your profession. The rate of change in technologies and the emergence of new and exciting career opportunities opens a world of endless career opportunities and job satisfaction.
Prof Donnelly also acknowledged the students’ resilience to the pandemic. “Nobody could have predicted the impact that Covid-19 would have on your final years in college but you can take real pride in completing your academic studies under such challenging conditions. It is a true mark of your dedication to your chosen area of studies and your future profession.”
Region's first University
Prof Donnelly remarked that the conferring ceremonies are tinged with a degree of sadness. “After 51 years since our foundation we are celebrating the last group of WIT graduates. WIT has always led the way in the delivery of education offerings from our sector responding to the needs of our community and ensuring that all students had the opportunity to reach their full academic potential. That sadness is balanced by pride and excitement at the creation of the region’s first university.”
Visiting Waterford last week, Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris made a number of announcements regarding the new South East Technological University, in an interview with Damien Tiernan on WLR's Déise Today. More here.
