University of Limerick President Professor Kerstin Mey has hailed the latest cohort of graduates being conferred this week for achieving “academic success at its finest”.
Professor Mey acknowledged the “hard work and sacrifice, commitment and persistence” of the newly minted UL graduates as she spoke on the first day of the 2023 Autumn Conferring Ceremonies which take place from today, Monday until this coming Friday.
A total of 3,546 students, including 44 PhDs, will graduate from the faculties of Education and Health Sciences, Science and Engineering, Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Kemmy Business School across the coming five days.
Speaking ahead of the first ceremony at UL this Monday, Professor Mey said: “This week is a very exciting one – we have 10 graduation ceremonies with almost 3,600 students receiving their parchments.
“It is a very exciting week for the graduands, for their parents, their partners, their families and supporters – but also of course for us, as the university, for the academics, the technicians, the administrators who helped our students on their journey.
“We are all very proud of them having completed the first leg of a lifelong journey of education and we wish them all the very best for their professional and their personal futures,” added Professor Mey.
The University’s latest cohort of graduates joins a global community of over 120,000 and UL Alumni is gifting a complimentary personalised video clip to all those graduating of the special moment they receive their parchment from the President on stage.
“Our graduates this week will go out and join our growing community of alumni – we have over 120,000 around the globe. It is a close-knit family, and we are looking forward to welcoming back our graduands to their alma mater,” said Professor Mey.
Among those graduating this Monday across two ceremonies in the morning and afternoon were students from the Kemmy Business School, and the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
Professor Mey told the new graduates in her conferring address: “Today is a day that has us all filled with pride and joy as we celebrate the culmination of your academic journey at University of Limerick.
“Each one of you has embarked on a transformative expedition, one that has required immense dedication, perseverance, and an unyielding pursuit of knowledge. Today, we acknowledge not only your achievements but also the profound significance of the journey you have taken to reach this milestone.”
Professor Mey called on the graduates to be “advocates for change” and “voices for justice” in the face of global challenges.
“Embrace sustainability as a way of life, champion social justice as a fundamental right, and wield education as a force for positive change. Your journey from this point forward is not just about personal success, but about making a lasting impact on the world around you.
“As you ascend the ladder of success, do so with integrity and a sense of responsibility. The world needs compassionate leaders, empathetic problem solvers, and advocates for positive change. Be the torchbearers for a better future, and never forget that you have the power to make a difference,” she added.