More than 1,500 students graduated from Waterford Institute of Technology yesterday at its first conferring since the college was upgraded from RTC status.
Three doctorates were awarded in sciences and in humanities, and 20 masters degrees were conferred in a range of disciplines. In all, 403 degrees, 465 national diplomas and 592 national certificates were awarded yesterday in some 60 courses accredited by the National Council for Educational Awards (NCEA).
Six courses had graduates being conferred for the first time. These included a masters degree in management of education, degrees in applied languages and commercial software development, and a diploma in tourism and hospitality studies.
The first two graduates were conferred yesterday in the management of education course, which has 118 applicants for the 1997/98 academic year. Masters degrees were also awarded in European construction management - a course run in partnership with institutions in France, Germany and the UK.
In addition to Irish students, NCEA certificates, and BSc and BA degree awards were announced for 52 students who completed WIT-organised courses at two colleges in Cyprus.
The 1997 student of the year award was presented to Mr Keith John Somers, of Carlow, who received first place and a distinction in the National Diploma in business studies in financial services.