Key university role for Rathwire student

A Rathwire student has been appointed to a key role at St Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth.

Following a university-wide recruitment process, Aoife Ryan has been named as a Student Ambassador at the university.

The ambassadors will be a link for incoming students, assisting with orientation activities, providing campus tours and advice and recommendations on how best to transition from second level into life at university.

The student ambassadors will also assist at university events throughout the year, passing on their experiences of life at St Patrick’s.

Aoife, an arts and theology student, applied for the role as she feels her experience in selecting Maynooth for study will be helpful for other students who also took some time out before commencing third level studies: “After working and living abroad following my Leaving Cert, I was ready and excited to begin my college experience. I always had an interest in religion but never in a million years had I thought I would end up studying a degree in theology,” says Aoife.

“I love the fact that this degree allows me to study theology at St Patrick’s Pontifical University along with other arts subjects at Maynooth University. It really is the best of both worlds for me.

“It has been a tough year, for not only students, but staff also, and my experience so far in St Patrick’s Maynooth has been more than I ever had imagined university life would be – and that is saying something considering most of my first year was spent online,” she added.

St Patrick’s Pontifical University is in Maynooth, which is unique in being Ireland’s only university town. The town and campus are extensions of each other.

St Patrick’s Maynooth opened its doors as an educational institution in 1795. In the intervening two centuries, it has established for itself an impressive reputation for scholarship and learning. Today, as a Pontifical University, St Patrick’s specialises in the study of theology and philosophy at both postgraduate and undergraduate level and related areas, in one of the most beautiful campuses in Ireland.

The Pontifical University has commenced a brand refresh from St Patrick’s College Maynooth to St Patrick’s Pontifical University which will become more visible across the rest of the year and include the new visual identity.

St Patrick’s Pontifical University attracts students from home and abroad from a wide variety of backgrounds and careers. Students who wish to add the study of Philosophy and/or Theology to their chosen career and gain a deeper insight into their role in shaping a better society and serving the common good.

The Arts and Theology degree programme is run in partnership with MU affording students access to a wide range of arts and humanities subjects.

Students benefit from an inspirational learning environment with small class sizes, ensuring individualised attention. Graduates leave as well grounded, confident individuals skilled in communication, the ability to reason and debate and think critically.

Graduates go on to enjoy success in a variety of careers including teaching, marketing, business, communications, publishing, journalism, finance, social services, pastoral work, chaplaincy, public service, community development, religious education, and parish administration.