19 Oct 2006

Presentation of Adult Continuing Education Awards at UCC

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The Centre for Adult Continuing Education, UCC will present awards to the 1,050 adult learners who have successfully completed Adult Continuing Education Certificates and Diplomas at an award ceremony which will take place on Saturday, 21 October and Sunday, 22 October at UCC.

UCC and, in particular, the Centre for Adult Continuing Education has a long and proud tradition of providing opportunities for lifelong learning for adults in many diverse centres and settings.  This year over 3,100 students attended Certificate/Diploma/Higher Diploma/Degree programmes in almost 127 learning centres throughout Ireland.  The awards being presented at four ceremonies to lifelong learners include Diplomas in Credit Union Studies, Youth and Community Work, Management Practice, Social Studies and Geology to Certificates in Music, Disability Studies and Irish Archaeology and Biodiversity Components of Forestry.  This range of learning opportunities is reflective of the many partnerships and contacts with outside educational interests, both statutory and voluntary, in a myriad of diverse geographical, professional, community, and personal contexts.

The Centre for Adult Continuing Education is a bridge between the resources of the University, its Departments and Faculties, and the needs of the community.  Changing social and economic structures in Ireland, vast changes in our communities, the demands on families and individuals, the empowerment and changing roles of women, the increasingly complex area of continuing professional education require us all to continue learning throughout our lives.

The awards cover a wide range of academic disciplines and interests:

• Courses for adults who have been considering a return to education and would like to build confidence in themselves as learners before going on to further educational opportunities.
• Courses for adults involved in youth and community work who want to develop their community development skills and knowledge.
• Courses for adults who want to explore and learn more about a specific interest, for example, Irish Archaeology, Women's Studies, Disability Studies.
• Continuing Education Courses to meet the needs of persons working in specific fields, to update their knowledge and skills, and to keep them abreast of changing concepts and trends, e.g., Credit Union Studies, Personnel Management, Food Science and Technology, Safety Health and Welfare at Work, and Supply Chain Management.

Professor Máirtín Ó Fathaigh, UCC's Director for Adult Continuing Education in congratulating the recipients on their awards said "I also congratulate the significant others in their lives:  family, partners, children, friends, parents and others.  Their patient understanding and positive support were of enormous value during the courses of study.  I also wish to laud the different work settings who facilitated participation in the continuing professional education of their employees".  He added "I wish to publicly acknowledge the sterling contributions of UCC colleagues to this marvellous celebration of successful lifelong learning".

The Ceremonies take place on 21 and 22 October, Áras na Mac Léinn, Devere Hall at 12noon and 3.00pm each day.

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