UCC Commerce students are set to become the first students in an Irish
university to benefit from an initiative announced at UCC today (4
December 2006). The launch by Mr Micheál Martin TD, Minister for
Enterprise, Trade & Employment of UCC's BComm Work Placement
Programme means that, for the first time, Commerce undergraduates will
have the opportunity to gain business experience in leading companies
and organisations at home and abroad.
The BCommerce four-year Degree Progamme is one of the longest
established programmes at UCC with an excellent reputation for
producing well-rounded business graduates many of whom are to be found
in today's top companies, both at home and abroad. The Programme
has recently been re-designed to incorporate work placement reflecting
the needs of the modern international business community. The new
format includes a Work Placement Module taken at the end of third year
when students are available for employment in a host organisation for
six months, April to September.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Paul Giller, Registrar & Vice
President for Academic Affairs, UCC said: "I am delighted to be
associated with the launch of this Placement Programme. With an annual
intake of 185 students, the BComm produces a large number of top
calibre graduates that have subsequently gone on to play significant
roles in the local, national and international business community. The
re-designed programme will enhance their learning through the workplace
and provide highly skilled graduates ready to meet the challenges of
our modern business world."
In congratulating UCC for their vision in developing this programme
Cork Chamber Chief Executive, Conor Healy, said "it is most important
for the graduates of today to have an understanding of the business
environment. The Chamber fully supports this initiative and will be
urging all businesses to engage with UCC to ensure its success."
UCC's BComm is a four-year general business degree that offers students
the opportunity to study a wide range of business subjects before
specialising, in the final two years, in their chosen field. Core
subjects include Business Economics, Government, Accounting &
Finance, Corporate Law, Management, Marketing, Food Business,
Business Maths and Statistics and Business Information Systems.
Dr Edward Shinnick, Faculty of Commerce, who outlined details of the
programme said: "Our Commerce students are very high achievers with a
median entry point of 470 to the course. The class for Work Placement
in 2006/7 has an exceptionally high academic standard, with 73%
achieving a 1H or 2H1 in 2006 Summer exams. Employers who hire UCC
Commerce students will be assured of top-calibre employees, which will
generate a feeder pool for their graduate hiring needs and build their
management capability for the future."
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