merrion street

Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Mr. Paul Kehoe, T.D., yesterday attended the Conferring of Academic Awards on Defence Forces personnel by the Institute of Technology Carlow. This year marks the 6th year of collaboration between the Defence Forces and IT Carlow in the provision of programmes at Levels 6, 7 and 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications.

This year 204 personnel have successfully completed one of the Leadership, Management and Defence Studies (LMDS) courses. Another 6 officers from the Ordnance Corps will have completed the Masters (MSc) programme so, in total, 210 personnel have qualified for awards. To date (2013 to 2018) 1,138 Defence Forces personnel have graduated with awards from IT Carlow as a result of the collaborative partnership.

The Defence Forces continue to engage with IT Carlow with its Trainee Technician Scheme and at an earlier conferring, five Defence Forces Communications and Information Services (CIS) Trainee technicians were conferred with a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronic Engineering degree.

In his address, the Minister noted “For over a decade now, the Defence Forces has developed close relations with IT Carlow. This relationship continues to serve as an example in collaboration between academia and external partners”.

He went on to say “The collaboration between the Defence Forces and IT Carlow is continuing to develop with a number of initiatives being explored including the recognition of other areas of training undertaken by Defence Forces personnel through their military training. This will further increase the recognition and validation of the Defence Forces Training & Education process over a diverse and unique range of skills and qualifications. This model of collaboration has been acknowledged both nationally and internationally as a positive and effective partnership in Education & Training”.

The Minister noted that 41 personnel conferred yesterday were unable to attend because they are currently overseas.

He told the Awards Ceremony:

“From the likes of Congo to South Lebanon and Syria and, from the Balkans to Mali and beyond – these personnel and their colleagues are serving under the United Nations blue helmets, protecting communities facing great hardship. The opportunities to travel overseas is one of the many great aspects of a career in the Defence Forces. I have no doubt that the 41 personnel, currently representing their nation overseas, are implementing the skills and experience they have gained while studying at IT Carlow.”