Members of Defence Forces conferred at South East Technological University (SETU)

The ceremony is Ireland’s largest annual military graduation from a higher education institution

South East Technological University (SETU) awarded over 200 members of the Irish Defence Forces in recognition of their academic achievement at a special conferring ceremony at the University’s Kilkenny Road Campus in Carlow. 

The ceremony is Ireland’s largest annual military graduation from a higher education institution and one that the SETU community is proud to hold in celebration of dedicated members of the Irish Defence Forces.

At this year’s Carlow ceremony, students received awards in Leadership, Management, and Defence Studies across certificate, bachelors, and master’s levels, while another group was conferred with Master of Engineering degrees in Ordnance, Munitions, and Explosives Engineering. Others achieved their Master of Science in Communications Technology Management, as well as in Military Engineering Management, while some students attained certificates in Software Defined Communication Systems and in Sustainable Supply Chain.

Speaking at today’s ceremony, President of SETU, Professor Veronica Campbell, commented, “On behalf of SETU, I want to congratulate each of our over 200 graduates from the Irish Defence Forces on their exceptional achievements celebrated today. Your dedication to carrying out your academic studies alongside the important roles you hold in your working life is commendable and it is an inspiration to those of us looking on."

Prof. Campbell continued, "Since becoming President of SETU, I have spoken on a number of occasions about the value of our Defence Forces and the responsibilities you carry on behalf of the Irish state. In recent months, I, like many others, have watched events continue to unfold in the Middle East. The bravery of our Defence Forces has been admirable and the valuable work you do has been brought into focus. It is SETU's huge privilege to support the educational goals of  the Defence Force members in the certainty that the ongoing upskilling and development of its members is crucial in creating and maintaining stability both nationally and globally."

On the collaborative power of SETU’s partnership with the Irish Defence Forces, Prof. Campbell shared, “Our University is built on decisions that benefit the learner, in the knowledge that the empowerment of individuals through educational attainment is paramount to creating the leaders, innovators, and implementors of tomorrow. With that in mind, I want to thank our collaborative partners at the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy and wider team, for their continued work in supporting the educational goals of Defence Forces members. Last year, in 2023, our two organisations signed a renewed Memorandum of Agreement, strengthening our shared goals to continue to create higher education opportunities for serving members long into the future.”    

Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, commented, “I am immensely proud of our Defence Forces personnel who were conferred today having successfully completed their courses at SETU. Their dedication to continuous learning and professional development exemplifies the values of Óglaigh na hÉireann. These qualifications will enhance our capabilities and ensure we remain at the forefront of military excellence. The partnership between the Defence Forces and SETU is invaluable in equipping our personnel with the knowledge and skills needed to meet the evolving challenges of national and international security. I congratulate all graduates on their achievements and look forward to seeing how they will apply their new expertise."

Photo Credit: Mary Browne, Brownes Photography.