Pharmacists, physiotherapists, nurses and health research scientists are among those who will graduate from RCSI at the College’s November conferring ceremonies, which begin this morning at RCSI’s St Stephen’s Green campus.

The first ceremony, commencing at 11am today, will see the graduation of 100 candidates from full-time Undergraduate programmes at RCSI including BSc Pharmacy, BSc Physiotherapy and Medicine (MB, BCh, BAO (NUI, RCSI), LRCP&SI). While this afternoon 75 candidates will be conferred with Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates from RCSI, with a further 56 candidates receiving Doctoral and Masters degrees, including Masters of Surgery (MCh) MD and PhD.

At the morning ceremony on Thursday, 15 November, Professor Sir Stephen O’Rahilly will be awarded an honorary doctorate. Professor O’Rahilly’s research is concerned with the elucidation of the mechanisms underlying obesity, insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes and the translation of those discoveries into improved patient care outcomes. Prof O’Rahilly will deliver an address to the graduating student body.

Speaking on RCSI's latest honorary doctorate recipient, Professor Cathal Kelly, Chief Executive/Registrar, RCSI said: “Professor O’Rahilly is a worthy recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of RCSI, the College’s highest academic award. His illustrious career includes significant discoveries of previously unrecognised genetic causes of metabolic and endocrine disorders. The impact of his work will be an inspiration to our graduates and faculty who will be part of this special ceremony today.”

A further two conferring ceremonies will take place at The Convention Centre Dublin (CCD), on Monday which will see 430 candidates graduate with Nursing and Midwifery and Masters awards. Monday’s first ceremony commences at 11am with the conferring of 430 candidates with postgraduate degrees in Nursing and Midwifery. A number of awards will be presented at the ceremony including the Florence Nightingale Committee of Ireland Award, Mary Frances Crowley Award, Rose Lanigan Medal and the Catherine Cummins Medal.

The conferring celebrations will conclude a Masters Degree ceremony, at 3pm, which will see a further 252 candidates graduate with awards in Masters in Pharmacy (MPharm); MSc in Bereavement Studies as well as the Institute of Leadership programme candidates being conferred with MSc in Healthcare Management, MSc in Leadership, MSc in Leadership in Health Professions Education and MSc in Quality & Safety in Healthcare Management.

Congratulating all those graduating on their success, Prof. Cathal Kelly said: “The November conferring ceremonies are a celebration of our graduates’ accomplishments as all of their years of hard work and dedication today come to fruition. It is a special day for family, friends and supporters to share their joy. These future healthcare and research professionals now leave RCSI,to continue on their exciting and varied career paths, all with the common goal of improving human health. I would like to wish them success in their careers as healthcare professionals and I look forward to seeing them back at the College as alumni of RCSI.”