First Cohort of Level 8 HR Management degrees conferred at ATU
The first cohort of students on the new part-time Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Human Resource Management in Atlantic Technological University (ATU) were conferred with their awards at the recent annual ceremonies. Seventeen students received their parchments at the Conferring of Awards Ceremony in St Mary’s Hall, ATU Mayo on 21 November.
The three-year programme is delivered through the Department of Organisational Development in the Mayo campus which has been delivering programmes in HRM for almost three decades, beginning with the Diploma in Personnel Management in the late 1990s. The new Level 8 builds on that success and incorporates the latest developments in Human Resource Management and the most up to date technologies in programme delivery.
The honours degree programme was developed in collaboration with the professional body the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), and graduates are now eligible for Associate Membership.
The programme is delivered in a blended format whereby students are required to attend classes onsite on Thursdays and Fridays once a month. Students also attend residential weekends and attend classes and seminars delivered by guest lecturers including HR managers and other industry professionals. The residential weekends are particularly popular as, apart from enabling students to hear from industry experts, they facilitate networking opportunities between students and professionals. The rest of their engagement with the programme is online through ATU’s Virtual Learning Environment.
This delivery format is particularly attractive to anyone who is working full time or unsocial hours, as well as for people with family or caring commitments. Most of the 17 new graduates combined their three-year studies with busy professional and personal lives.
Michael Gill, Head of Department, says: “This is a great achievement for our students. Staff are very proud of them as they continue to develop at a professional level pursuing rich and rewarding lives. We are very conscious that they are our future and the values they hold will ensure we maintain a rich culture in the west and northwest region. Despite challenging weather condition the students who were able to attend the conferring were in great form looking forward to rewarding future careers. Comhghairdeas libh.”
Pictured at the ATU Conferrings in ATU Mayo, back row, L to R: Stephen Mudzatsi from Roscam, Co Galway; Eleanor Ryder from Foxford, Co Mayo; Enda Daly from Roscommon; Carmel Gethin from Riverstown, Co Sligo, Kathleen Lenehan from Westport, Co Mayo; Aisling Moroney from Craughwell, Co Galway; Thelma De Paor from Knocknacarra, Co Galway; Sarah Kelly from Westport, Co Mayo; Donna O’ Grady from Castlebar, Co. Mayo; Sanae Needham from Castlebar, Co Mayo; Sinead Quinn from Swinford, Co Mayo. Front Row, L to R: Michael Gill, Head of Department of Organisational Development; Caroline Clarke, Lecturer & Programme Chair; Dr Seamus Lennon, Head of School of Business; Noeleen Hussey from Oranmore, Co Galway, Graduate & Academic Achievement Award Recipient. [Missing from photo are graduates Anna Duffy, Declan McCann, Stephanie Molloy, Karina Nee, Audrey Coleman, Shane Byrne, Niamh Hearns, Declan Hoban, Celene Dunphy, Clodagh Geraghty].
