Yesterday, Fermanagh College students put their gowns on for the annual Higher Education graduation ceremony which was held in the Ardhowen theatre, and marked the formal celebration of the achievement of students at higher education level.
This week's event was unique in that it was the very last Fermanagh College Higher Education Graduation, as the College has now merged with Omagh and East Tyrone Colleges to become the South West College.
A total of 161 students, of all ages, achieved a Third Level qualification in the 2006-07 academic year, the majority of whom were there in person to be presented with their Certificates. They came from Fermanagh, Tyrone, Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan. Most of them studied on a part-time basis, although a substantial number also studied full-time HND/Foundation Degree programmes.
Michael Gould, Project Manager Skills & Industry, Department for Employment and Learning was the guest speaker, and he was joined by Victor Refausse, the Director of South West College, who outlined the importance of higher education in the new South West College.
He told the students, their family members and friends: "At the higher levels of the curriculum, we will try and broaden the scope to offer Higher Level courses at all campuses. That would very much be at the higher level of foundation degree. Hopefully, it could mean students not having to leave Fermanagh or Tyrone and go off to university across the water and elsewhere".
He told the student body that Higher education brought benefits on many levels.
"In terms of your future job, a degree can lead to increased earning potential, greater opportunities and a more rewarding career. For those already pursuing their careers, a Higher Education course can increase your employment prospects, and many employers value continuous professional development for their staff".
STRENGTH
In the 2007/8 academic year, the South West College will be offering over 50 full and part-time Higher Education courses, covering a very diverse range of specialist subject areas. The strength of the new South West College lies in the fact that, as a larger college with a multi million pound budget, it will have the capacity and resources to respond to the changing needs of business and industry.
"The new college", said Peter Toal, the spokesman for Fermanagh College, " will be better placed than ever before to offer innovative Higher Education programmes delivered by high quality staff using leading edge resources and thus become a driving force for economic and workforce development, both locally and across Northern Ireland".
Kieran Corrigan, the Higher Education Co-ordinator at Fermanagh College, explained that with the introduction of fees for Higher Education courses and the expansion of Lifelong Learning, the option of 'studying from home' had become increasingly popular.
"Family and/or work commitments", he explained, " mean that a lot of local people can't travel to Belfast to access Higher Education courses".
And, he spelt out the appeal of doing a Higher Education course closer to home: "People come here because they know that the College will provide them with the most affordable and convenient way of gaining a Higher Education qualification".
Since 1989, Fermanagh College has been expanding the range of Higher Education courses offered.
The menu now includes: Higher Education qualifications in Access courses, Administration, Art, Beauty Therapy, Business, Care, Childhood studies, Computing & IT, Counselling, Environmental Science, Hospitality Management, Humanities, Sports Science, Travel & Tourism, and much more.
This week's graduation unveiled many individual stories of achievement, among them people like Shaun Farry who graduated from a Level 5 HNC Care Practice with 9 Distinctions and 1 Merit out of a possible 10 grades, and Francis Maguire, a father of four from Carran West, Garrison who, for the past three years, has been reading a HNC Construction course which meant his attending the College one day a week. His marks were such that he has been awarded the Bronze medal award at this year's Chartered Institute of Building gala awards. The Medals are for students who have excelled in their studies in a construction related course at each of the local Colleges of Further Education.
Francis, who is employed in the Estates Department of the Erne hospital, completed his studies last May and, as he put it, 'I am now resting from the books'.
"It was tough going because I had to do a one-year bridging course, for a BTEC national award before I got on to the two-year HNC course. So, it meant I was at the books one day a week for three years. But, I suppose you set yourself something to aim at and you do it. That's the attitude I took".
Shaun Farry, who is originally from Beechhill, Cavanaleck, Enniskillen, had to cope with a family tragedy to secure his Level 5 Higher National Certificate in Care Practice. When he embarked his HNC studies, Shaun was employed full time as a Centre Manager for Independent Living at Phab in Enniskillen. Unfortunately, due to cutbacks, the agency closed down and he lost his job.
'MASSIVE BLOW'
Then, on 11th May this year, Shaun and his partner, Maeve Sheridan were bereaved by their 21 day old baby daughter, Caitlin.
"This was a massive blow', he said this week, "and, without the support and encouragement of Maeve, my family, friends and the HNC team, I would have been unable to complete my studies".
Indeed, his tutors describe him as a positive role model for any young adult returning to education, as living testimony to how returning to learning can make a difference to one's life.
Shaun is taking a short break from his studies but is determined to return and complete the Bsc Health and Social care at the South West College, Dungannon Campus.
Twenty-year old twins, Natalie and Samantha Clarke from Fivemiletown graduated from the HND Care Practice course. The sisters have never been separated and are now both planning to balance doing a Part-time BA Early Childhood Studies course at the South West College's Omagh Campus, with their jobs at Quinn Direct, Enniskillen.
This has been a great year too for Art students at the College. Following some excellent results, record numbers have secured places at Universities in Northern Ireland and beyond.
They include Stacey Convey from Enniskillen who has been a student at the college for the past three years, progressing from the Btec AVCE Art to the Diploma in Art Foundation Studies. Her work focuses on film and mixed media. She is currently reading a BA Hons degree at the University of Ulster in Art and Design.
There are still places available on some courses for this academic year. To contact admissions, phone 028 6634 2237 as soon as possible for further information.
