2008 Conferring
The Open Training College held its 15th annual Conferring of Awards ceremony in November 2008 in the Concert Hall at the RDS, Dublin. Over 500 guests, staff and students attended the event to celebrate the achievements of 131 graduates.
The four speakers at the ceremony were Andrew Bridgett, Higher Education and Training Awards Council, David Kenefick, Deputy CEO St. Michael’s House, Don Campbell, a graduate of the BA Social Studies degree programme, and Karen Finnerty, College Director. Each speaker paid tribute to the students’ families, whose practical support and dedication have been central to the successes of all the students.
The recipient of the Student of the Year award for 2007-2008 was Ketevan Malikadze of The First Step Foundation based in Tbilisi, Georgia. Ketevan earned the highest average score among all of the students of the College in 2007-2008.
It was the largest Conferring of Awards to date for the College and next year’s event is expected to surpass all previous graduate numbers. ‘The continued growth of the College is a genuine reflection of the relevance and accessibility of the courses on offer each year for staff and managers working in the non-profit sector’ commented Karen Finnerty, Director of the Open Training College.
Open Training College 15th Annual Conferring of Awards Ceremony at the RDS Concert Hall, Dublin
Padhraic Lonergan, BA Applied Social Studies (Disability)
Karen Finnerty, OTC College Director, addresses the Conferring attendees
Jacqueline Hendy and fellow graduates
Andrew Bridgett, HETAC at the podium
Judith Williams, Zoe Brownlee, Orla Helly, Karen Finnerty (OTC College Director) and David Kenefick (Deputy CEO, St. Michael's House)
BA Applied Social Studies graduates
Don Campbell, OTC graduate BA in Social Studies, speaks to his classmates
Amanda Gray with her son Sean
Ray Lynch, OTC Course Director with Hons. BA Applied Social Studies graduates
Angela and Jessica congratulate Babatunde Kareem Kasali
A number of Certificate in Applied Management graduates
Enjoying the music at the 2008 Conferrings
OTC Staff
Guests and family enjoy the reception
