The last groups of students from Waterford Institute of Technology were conferred this week.
After 51 years, the institute will have become part of the South East Technological University by the time next year's graduation ceremonies take place.
Graduates of both 2021 and 2020 were conferred with academic awards up to doctorate level across this week.
The 2021 conferrings took place up to Thursday, while a small number of 2020's graduates had their ceremony on Friday - that class had already taken part in an online conferring.
During the first of the events, Professor Willie Donnelly congratulated the graduates on their resilience during the Covid-19 pandemic.
But he also pointed out that the ceremonies will be tinged with sadness, as after just over half a century since the institute was founded, they will mark the last group of WIT graduates.
By the time next year's conferrings take place, WIT will have merged into the new South East Technological University.
“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.”
In his address, Chairman of the WIT Governing Body Jim Moore said:
“The institute community, and particularly the teaching staff who delivered each programme, joins with the families and friends of all the graduates in being justly proud of their achievements. They graduate today not only with an internationally recognised qualification but with the skills needed to better meet life’s challenges.”
All-in-all, more than 2,500 graduates were given their academic awards this week.
31% of those are from Waterford City and County.
