merrion street

The Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Mr. Paul Kehoe, T.D., today attended the Conferring of Academic Awards on Defence Forces personnel by University College Dublin.

This year marks the 3rd year of collaboration between the Defence Forces and UCD in the provision of the Diploma in Military Medical Care, which is a Level 7 programme on the National Framework of Qualifications. 23 personnel have successfully completed the 2018 Diploma course, bringing the total of Defence Forces personnel who have graduated with the award from UCD as a result of this collaborative partnership to 62.

In his address, the Minister noted:

The Defence Forces require medical personnel to undergo a Level 7 university course at an external medical institution in order to qualify as a medic. This is testament to the very high standards of duty of care and professionalism that are evident in the organisation. Given the dynamic nature of developments in the medical field, it is appropriate that the Defence Forces should be aligned with a much larger institution with the appropriate resources to keep abreast of medical advances in order to ensure that medical personnel are current in their information, as well as being optimally qualified and positioned to provide the highest level of care to personnel. 

He went on to say:

As a learning organisation, the Defence Forces is deeply committed to developing all of its personnel to their full potential. Focussing on life-long learning and development throughout a military career ensures that personnel are committed, capable and flexible. It ensures personnel continue to develop the capacity to operate effectively in a complex, dangerous and ever-changing environment.