08 Jun 2006

Munster Programming Training (MPT) Graduation Day at University College Cork (UCC)

This year's Munster Programming Training (MPT) in Information Technology, run by the Department of Computer Science at UCC, hosted 30 students from 11 different secondary schools from the Cork region. They came to UCC for 20 Saturdays for training from 10 am to 1 pm for formal lectures and practical classes in Computer Programming, Algorithms, Web Design and Video Animation.

The Department of Computer Science at UCC has been running the programme since 2004 as a means of engaging secondary school students in Information Technology (IT). Given the lack of IT training provided by schools, UCC is attempting to offer a significant introduction to the discipline and IT-related work.

Students sat a programming competition consisting of 3 difficult problems. The winners of this competition are:
 
1. Gold Medal: Katie O'Mahony (St. Aloysius School) and Caoimhin Delaith (Coláiste an Phiarsaigh)
2. Silver Medal: Cormac Manning (Ballincollig Community School) and John Walley (Bandon Grammar School)
3. Bronze Medal: Kevin Beecher (Bandon Grammar School) and John Webb (Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig)

The students will return for a more advanced training in October 2006.

A graduation ceremony was held recently for the MPT training attended by the MPT students as well as their teachers, school principals and parents. Professor Gregory Provan, Head of Computer Science at UCC, presented the students with Certificates of Graduation. He congratulated the students for their hard work and achievements and mentioned that  IT has become pervasive throughout every aspect of society - computer chips are present in cars, mobile phones, heating and cooling systems, home electronics, etc. Hence, IT skills can assist any school-leaver, whatever their intended profession.

Professor Patrick Fitzpatrick, Head of the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science presented medal awards and prizes to the competition winners. He referred to the value of Computer Science in a very wide range of careers including science-based industry, information and communications technology, and financial services.

William Opperman, CEO of MPstor representing IT@Cork who was the special guest at the event, spoke about the IT industry in Cork and the immense work opportunities available at present within the IT sector.

238MMcS