Over 200 Defence Forces personnel receive qualifications at SETU

Over 200 military officers and enlisted personnel received qualifications at South East Technological University (SETU) today (January 13). 

It marks the first SETU conferring ceremony for Defence Forces personnel and their first time to receive academic awards in person since 2019. 

The ceremony, which takes place on SETU’s Carlow campus, is the largest annual military graduation in the State from a higher education institution. 

Awards range from Master of Science in Communications Technology Management, Master of Engineering in Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives Engineering and Bachelor of Arts Degrees to Certificates and Higher Certificates in Leadership, Management and Defence Studies. 

President of SETU, Professor Veronica Campbell, acknowledged the specific skills of the Defence Forces at today's ceremony.

She said, “As well as the advanced Masters-level courses in technical areas, I note that leadership is a theme across all programmes and I appreciate how qualities in leadership are so important for you as individual members of the Defence Forces – each of you will bring your own reflections, expertise and ideas to the tactical, operational and strategic facets of leadership that underpin a high performing Defence Force.” 

Due to the nature of their military service, a number of the graduates were conferred in absentia as they are currently serving overseas in Lebanon, Mali, the Golan Heights and on other duties overseas. 

Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, commended all the recipients on their hard work and dedication.

He said, “I am very proud of all today's deserved recipients. These awards are a culmination of what has been a very challenging and rewarding process for all today's recipients. The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread disruption to both Defence Forces’ training and education and the broader Higher Education Sector in Ireland.

"Despite the challenges posed, both the Defence Forces’ training staff and SETU’s academic staff continued to deliver high quality training and education to our personnel.” 

He continued: "Lifelong learning is one of the key tenets of a career in the Defence Forces. The Defence Forces values and promotes education opportunities and supports the concept of life-long learning whereby personnel are encouraged to up-skill and re-skill continuously so that they can adapt to the complex and changing demands of military deployments and to deliver effective military capability."

"Finally, I would like to thank SETU’s President, Professor Veronica Campbell and her dedicated team of academics and administrators for their work in the delivery of high quality education experiences to members of the Defence Forces.” 

Prof Campbell wished the first Defence Forces graduates of SETU continued success in their careers, stating, "Today you hold a special place in history of being the first Defence Forces graduates of South East Technological University. Your names are among the first graduates signed into the SETU graduates roll book.

"As new graduates of our new university, you are now alumni of SETU and the reputation of any university is built upon the quality of its alumni. I wish you continued success in your career - continue to be courageous, ambitious and just in support of your respective roles in defending the people and territories of state and providing multinational peacekeeping and humanitarian aid." 

Photo: Mary Browne 

Pictured from left: Corporal Lily Ray from Carlow who graduated with Higher Certificate in Arts in Leadership, Management & Defence studies, Sgt Sandra Murphy from Kildare who graduated with Batchelor of Arts in Leadership, Management & Defence studies, Professor Veronica Campbell, President of SETU, Sgt. Shelley Kehoe from Oulart the Ballagh, Co.Wexford and and Sgt Nicole Whelan from The Curragh Kildare who graduated with Certificate in Leadership, Management & Defence Studies, Corporal Megan McEneaney from Dundalk who graduated with Higher Certificate in Arts in Leadership, Management & Defence studies.