A former County Tipperary seminary that is now a teacher training
College for teachers of religion, this week announced a new strategic
link with the University of Limerick.
Under the deal between the two educational establishments, from 2012,
Saint Patrick's College students will graduate with degrees accredited
by UL.
The degrees will be Bachelor of Education (BEd) with Irish and
Religious Studies and BEd with Business Studies and Religious studies.
Graduates will be registered with the Teaching Council of Ireland and
will be qualified to teach to Leaving Certificate standard.
Participants will also be covered by the Government Free Fees
initiative.
Speaking this week at special ceremony in the college to mark the
event college president Fr Tom Fogarty said that this is, “an exciting
time to be in.”
“Saint Patrick's College has just announced an academic linkage with
the University of Limerick, one of the most reputable universities in
Ireland. Saint Patrick's will retain its own independence, identity,
ethos and values under the linkage. The linkage is an historic moment
for Saint Patrick's which has been synonymous with educating young
people since 1837 and had ordained over 1,500 men for the priesthood.”
The latest move is a huge milestone for the college.
It added a
philosophy department in 1842 and by the 1860's had developed into a
major seminary with the addition of a full theological faculty.
In
1973, that faculty affiliated with Maynooth Pontifical University to
enable students obtain a diploma in theology.
The next major step came in 1998 when the National Council for
Education Awards decided to award a BA Theology degree to students
following a four-year course.
In 2004 the Higher Education Training
Awards Council approved Saint Patrick's teacher training degree courses
and Saint Patrick's was established as a third level College of
Education.
A total of 220 students currently study at the college and by 2014 up
to 70 post primary teachers will be graduating each year.
According to Fr Fogarty, “There is a unique bond here between the
students and the staff and people often comment on the warmth and
friendliness of the College.”
The ceremony to mark the historic occasion was also attended by the
Archbishop of Cashel & Emly Dr Dermot Clifford, Prof Peadar Cremin
President of Mary Immaculate Teacher Training College, Prof Don Barry,
President of the University of Limerick and Rev Mark Noonan President of
All-Hallows College in Dublin.