Her Excellency, President Mary McAleese was awarded the first Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science from RCSI at a special ceremony held in the College this evening.

This is the first Honorary Degree RCSI has awarded in its 227-year history due to the granting of independent degree awarding status by the State to RCSI in 2010.

 RCSI President, Professor Eilis McGovern will award President McAleese with the Doctorate for her outstanding contribution to Irish society. Speaking in advance of the conferring, Professor McGovern said: "The awarding of the first Honorary Doctorate of RCSI is a momentous milestone in the College's 227-year history. In 1998, the College bestowed its highest professional honour - Fellow of RCSI on President McAleese and now she returns to the College this evening to accept the highest academic honour of our College, that of Honorary Doctorate of RCSI. President McAleese is an outstanding academic, a successful lawyer, an accomplished communicator and a relentless campaigner for justice and reconciliation. As the first citizen of Ireland, it is an honor to present President McAleese with the first Honorary Doctorate of RCSI."

In 2010 the College was granted independent degree awarding status by the State. This followed a quality approval process culminating in the Government approving the by-law, which enables the College to award degrees alongside its traditional powers to award licentiates.