Over 200 students from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) were conferred with medical degrees and postgraduate awards at a special graduation ceremony in the National Concert Hall (NCH), Dublin today.

The graduates were presented with their degrees by newly elected President of RCSI Professor Frank B. V. Keane.

This year, 181 graduates were conferred with a Degree in Medicine, Surgery and Obstetrics (MB, BCh and BAO). A Bachelor of Medical Science (BMedSC) was also conferred on eight candidates who had undertaken a substantive research process over a number of years. 22 students were conferred with Masters and PhDs following extensive research in a wide number of areas. They include a Degree of Master of Surgery (MCh), Degree of Doctor of Medicine (MD), and Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Professor Frank Keane, President of RCSI, said: “As the largest undergraduate medical school in Ireland, the conferring ceremony is one of the highlights of the year for RCSI. I would like to congratulate all those conferred today and wish them success in the future. The graduates here today are a reflection on the ability of RCSI to educate and train students to the highest standards.

“Today marks the 30th anniversary of the first conferring of National University of Ireland (NUI) degrees on RCSI graduates. Much has changed in the intervening years and RCSI and the NUI have a new arrangement whereby the programmes and courses of RCSI will be reviewed on a quality assurance basis. This year marks the centenary year for the NUI and I wish to congratulate the Chancellor and Registrar on this milestone.”

Professor Cathal Kelly, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at RCSI, said: “It is great to see the students rewarded for all their hard work and commitment throughout several years of study. It is a celebration not only for the graduates, but also for their family and friends, and the academic staff who have guided and helped them to reach this point.”