2007 Press Releases
First MSc Students Graduate from Joint UCC-Ethiopia Programme
03.08.2007
UCC's Department of Food Business & Development has in the past two years developed a unique MSc programme in Rural Development jointly with Mekelle University in Ethiopia.
03.08.2007
UCC's Department of Food Business & Development has in the past two years developed a unique MSc programme in Rural Development jointly with Mekelle University in Ethiopia.
The programme was delivered through a mix of methods including distance learning and intensive block teaching. Professor Denis Lucey, acting for UCC President, Dr Michael Murphy, jointly conferred the degrees with Dr Mitiku Haile, President of Mekelle University, at the Graduation Ceremony in Mekelle University on July 15th, 2007, where 20 students - all practitioners in rural development - graduated from this MSc programme, out of 37 Masters graduates from the entire University. This programme is the first Joint Degree programme of the National University of Ireland to be awarded between a constituent University of the NUI and any other degree-awarding institution anywhere in the world.
Professor Lucey notes that the programme is a unique and exciting venture with great potential for expansion, which also provides a model for replication elsewhere, given its applied nature, flexible delivery mechanisms, cost-effectiveness and, most importantly in the context of developing countries, avoidance of brain-drain! The Ethiopian Minister for Higher Education, as well as the President of the Tigray Region, Ethiopia, attended the ceremony and were highly impressed with and supportive of the MSc programme, which received support from IrishAid, which is now in a second cycle in Mekelle University and, according to Dr Nick Chisholm - Director of the MSc programme - who also officiated at the Conferring ceremony, is likely to be expanded to at least two other Universities in Ethiopia in the coming year.
495MMcS
Professor Lucey notes that the programme is a unique and exciting venture with great potential for expansion, which also provides a model for replication elsewhere, given its applied nature, flexible delivery mechanisms, cost-effectiveness and, most importantly in the context of developing countries, avoidance of brain-drain! The Ethiopian Minister for Higher Education, as well as the President of the Tigray Region, Ethiopia, attended the ceremony and were highly impressed with and supportive of the MSc programme, which received support from IrishAid, which is now in a second cycle in Mekelle University and, according to Dr Nick Chisholm - Director of the MSc programme - who also officiated at the Conferring ceremony, is likely to be expanded to at least two other Universities in Ethiopia in the coming year.
495MMcS