Athlone town councillor Paul Hogan graduated with Higher Certification in Applied Social Studies in Social Care pictured here with Professor Ciaran O Cathain and Mayor of Athlone Jim Henson

One thousand eight hundred graduates received their parchments at conferring ceremonies at Athlone Institute of Technology yesterday (Thursday) and today (Friday).

Qualifications ranging from higher certificate through to PhD were presented to the graduates, who are attending from all over Ireland and around the world.

Speaking at the event, AIT President Ciaran O Cathain reminded graduates

and their families "AIT is your institution. This is your campus, your college," he said.

"Our role is to serve the communities of this region, to provide educational opportunities, certainly; but more than that, to be a catalyst for the Midlands, a driver of change and a partner for business. At a time when the public finances are under enormous pressure, we are committed to delivering value for the citizens of the country and playing our part to aid the national recovery."