Over 260 Students from the mid-west region who received an A in Junior Certificate Higher Level Business Studies in 2012 were recently presented with Certificates of Achievement from the Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick. The event, held in association with the Business Studies Teachers Association of Ireland (BSTAI), celebrates and recognises excellence in Junior Certificate Business Studies.

At a special ceremony held at the University Concert Hall, the students were addressed by guest speaker, Paul O’Connell, Munster and Ireland Rugby International who said; “Positive attitude and personal belief are an essential role in success in all walks of life.  People who believe that hard work and determination will lead to success and longevity in their career generally surpass those who believe that God given talent will lead to this also.”

This is the first year that the Kemmy Business School has held these awards and some 260 students from the region were recognised at the ceremony which was also attended by their parents, business studies teachers and school principals.  The students whose exceptional achievement was recognised were from over 40 individual schools from counties Limerick, Clare and Tipperary.

Dr Philip O’Regan, Dean, Kemmy Business School, said “We are delighted to be able to recognise that fantastic achievement of our young awardees – the region’s top Business Studies students in the Junior Certificate 2012.  I congratulate all the students on their wonderful achievement and would also like to pay tribute to the commitment and dedication of their teachers in helping the students achieve such excellence.  I hope in time that I will have the pleasure of welcoming many of these awardees back to the University of Limerick as students on one of our range of business programmes.”

The KBS is one of Ireland’s leading business schools – recently awarded Best Business School at the InBusiness Editor’s Choice Awards – with a reputation for quality and employability of graduates.  This event reinforces the important relationship between the KBS and the region’s second-level students, their schools and their business studies teachers.

Jennie Harrington, President, BSTAI, said “The Business Studies Teachers Association of Ireland (BSTAI) is delighted to be involved in partnership with the University of Limerick in hosting this ceremony which celebrates and recognises academic excellence in Business Studies at a young age.  I’m confident that many of today’s award recipients will build successful careers in the business world.”