Europass Certificate Awarding Ceremony in Monaghan Institute

Games Design Level 5 and Software Development Level 6 students from Monaghan Institute recently completed their Erasmus + 2018 Work Experience with a Europass Mobility certificate awarding ceremony on Thursday 8th March 2018.

Pictured at the event are: Back Row L to R: Ray Quinn, Tutor, Sonya Mc Quaid, Admin, Matt Carthy, MEP, Dr Fiona Mc Grath, Director, Fergal Sherry, Tutor. Front Row L to R: Colin Byrne, Ati Tahk, Elva Duggan, Leargas, Nathan Mc Gonnell and Fergal Winters.
The Erasmus + trip to Groningen and host college ROC Friese Poort in the Netherlands was recognised as a successful achievement by college Director Dr. Fiona McGrath, who thanked staff and students’ for their commitment to the project. Guest speakers included Matt Carthy MEP and Elva Duggan of Léargas. Mr Carthy recognised the importance of the Erasmus + programme to students and staff of Monaghan Institute and congratulated those receiving their certificates at the event.

College Tutors Ray Quinn and Fergal Sherry accompanied the students to the Netherlands, where they worked on a variety of software and hardware IT projects in a number of leading computing companies whilst there. Their learning and professional development alongside cultural awareness and language development benefited greatly from this experience.

Dr. Fiona McGrath outlined the significance of the opportunity for MI students to travel to other European countries and to develop skills and competencies on Erasmus + projects and the positive impact this has on the personal development of the learners involved.

The opportunity to engage with Erasmus + was further emphasised by Elva Duggan of Leargas, who congratulated Monaghan Institute and its students on their successful participation in the recent Erasmus + project.

The students received their Europass Mobility certification, which will enhance their profile for progression to further education and employment. The Europass document outlines the skills developed and projects undertaken in the host country, proving very beneficial for the future as the software development and digital technologies industry continue to expand at an exponential rate.

MEP Matt Carthy highlighted the significant changes to careers of the future, identifying the digital economy as an industry which will continue to evolve progressively and the importance of the students being open to changing and growing within their chosen careers. The EU funding of Erasmus + projects has proven to return both qualitative and quantifiable results for the investment, as students learn through courses in colleges such as MI how to undertake and develop the expansive skills that an Erasmus + project affords them.

MEP Matt Carthy then presented the students Colin Byrne, Ati Tahk, Fergal Winters and Nathan Mc Gonnell with their Europass Mobility certificates.

This project is funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union

The event concluded with Elva Duggan and Matt Carthy meeting with other students of MI to chat about their overall experiences in the college and to participate in some of the Game Play events organised for the college Open Day by the Level 5 Games Design students, showcasing their own completed games projects.

Monaghan Institute’s Computing department will continue to develop future opportunities for students through Microsoft MicroBit training with Stephen Howell, Academic Programme leader for Microsoft Ireland in Monaghan Institute on Friday 16^th March. Stephen will also talk to the current Level 5 Games Design and Level 6 Advanced Software students about the best methods to progress in industry.

Visit our courses page for further information on all the Computer/Multimedia options at Monaghan Institute.