March University of Galway celebrates classes of 2020 and 2021

Graduates welcomed back to campus to celebrate academic achievements during Covid

University of Galway has announced plans to welcome almost 1,000 graduates from the classes of 2020 and 2021 back to campus over three days for special celebratory events.

The programme runs from March 14-16, 2023. 

The events have been organised specifically for graduates who completed studies in 2021 and whose winter conferring was postponed and also for graduates who completed studies in 2020 and were conferred in absentia due to public health restrictions during the pandemic.

Speaking ahead of the conferring ceremonies, University of Galway President, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said: “Looking back over recent years and the experience of the pandemic for our students, we know that they deserve huge credit for their perseverance and achievement in the face of uncertainty. They are certainly well-prepared for the challenges of life ahead! Reflecting on our values of respect and excellence, I would like to commend all of our graduates from 2020 and 2021 for learning in the midst of a pandemic, and congratulate them on their unparalleled achievements.  We are sorry that we weren’t able to celebrate earlier and more formally due to the interruptions of the pandemic. However, we hope these will be days of celebration for families and friends, and a chance for University of Galway to recognise them and their success. We thank them for waiting and for being with us on these days and from these days onwards”    

Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh, Deputy President and Registrar at University of Galway, said: “The last couple of years were extraordinary times and the classes of 2020 and 2021 have proven they are extraordinary and determined people to be able to complete their studies and graduate during a time of such upheaval and uncertainty. On behalf of University of Galway, I would like to congratulate each graduate on their hard work and achievement.”

The celebration events will recognise graduates who came through undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programmes from the College of Science and Engineering, College of Business, Public Policy and Law, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences and the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies.

The full schedule for celebratory event is available at https://www.universityofgalway.ie/conferring 

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