Taoiseach Presents Awards and Certificates to Teagasc Horticulture Graduates

Awards and certificates were presented to 155 graduates of Teagasc Amenity Horticulture Courses by An Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern, TD, at the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin today, Monday, 19 November 2007.

The 84 graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Horticulture, who were conferred recently at the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown (ITB), received awards from the Taoiseach. They had completed a three-year horticulture course, based in the Botanic Gardens in collaboration with ITB. Some of these graduates completed their degree course on a work based advanced entry system under a FÁS funded programme. Graduates will go into employment in a variety of sectors of horticulture, including landscape design, landscape contracting, parks management, garden centres and greenkeeping with some pursuing further studies.

Certificates were presented to 71 students who completed one-year courses in Horticulture FETAC Levels 4, 5 and 6 and Floristry. In the afternoon 47 students were presented with Advanced Certificates in Greenkeeping FETAC Level 6 by Mr. Eamon O'Connor, Chairman, Greenkeeper Training Committee, Golfing Union of Ireland.

Ms. Máire Hurley, a graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Horticulture, received the Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture medallion for the best performance on the horticultural course. Máire also received the honour of "Student of the Year" of the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown at the Institutes conferring ceremony recently. The presentation was followed by a reception in the Visitor Centre at the National Botanic Gardens and guests had an opportunity to visit the magnificently-restored Palm House resplendent with its plant collection.

The Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture, in co-operation with the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown, the National Botanic Gardens, the National Parks, Dublin and County Parks Authorities, FÁS and commercial horticultural enterprises, provides courses in a wide range of horticultural areas. At any time, upwards of 350 students are on courses based in the Gardens, where they contribute to the work of the Gardens as part of their practical training. They also are allocated work placements in various enterprises and institutions in Ireland and abroad during their training. Courses are FETAC or HETAC accredited.

Speaking at the presentations in the Botanic Gardens today, Dr Paul Cusack, Principal of the college said: "These courses combine science, business and art. Graduates have a very successful rate of employment uptake because they cover such a wide range of activities. We have both mature students and school leavers together with students employed in the industry taking work based courses. The enthusiasm and interest in plants unites all students and they can use these wonderful Botanic Gardens as their textbook".