Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) BSc graduates have recently celebrated a series of firsts at their graduation – the 15 flexible learning students were the first to be awarded the Bachelor of Science in Quality and the first graduates to achieve their award through the application of the university’s Recognition of Prior Learning Policy.
Under this policy each graduate completed three separate certificates in Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) & Data Integrity; Quality Management & Statistics; and Regulatory Affairs and Quality, online over a three-year period.
On competition of all three separate certificates the graduates were given the option to rescind or ‘cash in’ the three individual awards, and exit with a major award in Bachelor of Science Level 7 Quality Degree.
Congratulating the graduates President of TUS Professor Vincent Cunnane said, “Graduation is a milestone for every student, a day when personal efforts are recognised though a formal conferring ceremony. The graduation of this class marks a significant milestone in TUS’s journey as we enhance our suite of agile and flexible education routes.
“At TUS, we pride ourselves on our innovative approaches to learning, providing What does this mean? This is probably where we should say that they got their qualification based on their record of learning outside of college, etc. where students can enter and exit their learning journey at various stages. These graduates earned their degree by stacking three individual Special Purpose Award Certificates.”
Professor Cunnane also emphasised the importance of flexible and lifelong learning. “The world of work is changing, be it hybrid working models, the emergence of new growth sectors, or the greater emphasis on work life balance. Together these changes have prompted changes in people’s approaches to education and learning. At TUS we are constantly evolving to ensure we are meeting these needs, delivering programmes that are accessible, delivered online in the evening times, with recorded material available for students to access at times that suit them. Our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy is just another step on our journey to ensure that we are maximising the benefits of this learning for students, delivering agile and flexible learning modes. This class of graduates are testament to this, and we wish them every success in their future career and learning journeys”.
Dean of Flexible and Work-based Learning Seamus Hoyne said, “I wish to extend a huge congratulations to all the graduates of this class, and indeed to all the Flexible Learning students who graduated with degrees, postgraduate diplomas and indeed Masters Awards at the recent TUS graduations. TUS had over 2,000 part-time and online learners across the Midwest campuses last year, and innovations like this will support us as we seek to maintain and grow this number”.
Dr Maura Clancy, Dean of Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology congratulated all the graduates of the programme, as well as the TUS team who were involved in the programme. “Every graduation day marks a significant achievement and I wish to extend hearty congratulations to all graduates. In this instance I also want to extend a special word of thanks to the team who had the vision to develop and deliver such an innovative approach to achieving learning within TUS.”
For more information on the range of Flexible Learning programmes that are available at TUS please visit tus.ie/flexible.