Barroso for honorary doctorate at UCC

European Commission president José Manuel Barroso will be awarded an honorary doctorate by University College Cork this week.

President Barroso, who will receive the degree of doctor of laws, has requested speaking time of up to 25 minutes, an indication that he has a specific message he wishes to convey to Ireland.

UCC president Dr Michael Murphy said the university was acknowledging the vision and commitment Mr Barroso has demonstrated at the helm of the European Commission since 2004. "In honouring him, we also recognise the role that the European Union has played in the transformation of Irish universities, including UCC, over the past 20 years."

On Thursday, the DCU Ryan Academy is hosting a supply connections event where small, female-led businesses will have the opportunity to find out how to do business with Irish-based multinationals and their buyers.

Attendees will learn about current procurement opportunities with Intel, Merck Pharmaceuticals and Ulster Bank across a number of areas including HR, health services, PR and media. Guest speaker at the event will be British entrepreneur Laura Tenison, who is the founder of JoJo Maman Bébé.

Elsewhere, food and grocery companies throughout Ireland will be providing free employment skills workshops for more than 1,500 young people this week, as part of “skills for work week” and the Feeding Ireland’s Future initiative.

Musgrave Group is running career development sessions for 500 unemployed young people, where participants will learn how to manage their social media reputation, prepare CVs, draft cover letters and applications.

"As one of the biggest employers in Ireland, we believe we have a key role in helping young people start their career," Musgrave Group chief executive Chris Martin said.