2009 Press Releases
Mekelle University Graduation
27.07.2009
UCC’s Department of Food Business & Development has in the last four years developed a unique MSc programme in Rural Development with Mekelle University in Ethiopia, delivered through blended learning methods including distance learning, intensive block teaching, tutorials and a research thesis.
27.07.2009
UCC’s Department of Food Business & Development has in the last four years developed a unique MSc programme in Rural Development with Mekelle University in Ethiopia, delivered through blended learning methods including distance learning, intensive block teaching, tutorials and a research thesis.
The completion of the second cycle of this programme saw 20 students – mostly rural development practitioners from Ethiopian Government and Non-Government organisations - graduate in Mekelle on July 18th 2009. Professor Patrick Fitzpatrick, Head of UCC’s College of Science, Engineering and Food Science, was Guest of Honour at the graduation ceremony (where more than 4,000 students graduated in total) and gave the convocation address. The graduation was also attended by Dr Nick Chisholm, Academic Director of the MSc programme, and Mike Fitzgibbon, Lecturer, both from UCC’s Department of Food Business & Development. The Irish Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ms Síle Maguire, also attended the graduation as Guest of Honour, and presented the awards to the top female students graduating in the University.
The programme was 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 Fitzpatrick noted in his address the connections, as well as the differences, between Ireland and Ethiopia, for example in relation to a shared history of famine, and a recognition in both countries of the importance of education, including higher education, in the process of development. The MSc programme is a very concrete example of collaboration between the two countries and respective Universities in the practical application of education in furthering national development goals.
The programme is currently in its third cycle, and will start a fourth cycle in October 2009, which will be partially funded by Irish Aid in Ethiopia and will see the expansion of the programme to another University in Ethiopia. A number of students from the collaborating Universities will also start PhD studies in UCC in October 2009 as part of the broader collaboration in capacity-building for rural development.
Picture includes Professor Patrick Fitzpatrick, Head, College of Science, Engineering & Food Science, UCC, Síle Maguire, Irish Ambassador to Ethiopia and Dr Nick Chisholm, Department of Food Business & Development, UCC.
1185MMcS
The programme was 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 Fitzpatrick noted in his address the connections, as well as the differences, between Ireland and Ethiopia, for example in relation to a shared history of famine, and a recognition in both countries of the importance of education, including higher education, in the process of development. The MSc programme is a very concrete example of collaboration between the two countries and respective Universities in the practical application of education in furthering national development goals.
The programme is currently in its third cycle, and will start a fourth cycle in October 2009, which will be partially funded by Irish Aid in Ethiopia and will see the expansion of the programme to another University in Ethiopia. A number of students from the collaborating Universities will also start PhD studies in UCC in October 2009 as part of the broader collaboration in capacity-building for rural development.
Picture includes Professor Patrick Fitzpatrick, Head, College of Science, Engineering & Food Science, UCC, Síle Maguire, Irish Ambassador to Ethiopia and Dr Nick Chisholm, Department of Food Business & Development, UCC.
1185MMcS