Mullingar engineer honoured as alumnus of local community school
Learners past and present from Longford and Westmeath ETB have been recognised for their excellence at a special event in Thomond Park run by Education and Training Boards Ireland, as part of its national ‘ETB Week’ celebrations.
Hosted by RTÉ newsreader and former ETB student, Ray Kennedy, a variety of awards were presented on the day. They included the ETB Alumni awards, which were presented to 17 former ETB learners, including Kieran Owens, a former student at Mullingar Community College and PhD qualified civil engineer and MBA graduate, who have achieved excellence in their chosen field or made an outstanding contribution to their communities.
Also awarded on the day were four ETB bursaries to exceptional current ETB learners to support their future study, entrepreneurship or community activism in the areas of technology and AI, green innovation, media and communications and the Irish Language. Each bursary is valued at €5,000 and includes professional support. Runners up were awarded €500.
Other notable alumni nominees were Olympian Sarah Lavin, former education editor of the Irish Independent Katherine Donnelly, and campaigner Vicky Phelan, whose family received a standing ovation from the 200+ attendees.
Entertainment was provided by a rock group comprising ETB learners and staff who inspired a national carpool karaoke competition, and Limerick based rappers MuRli and God Knows Jonas.
Congratulating the winners of the awards, Paddy Lavelle, chief executive of ETBI, said: “Excellence in education and training across all 16 ETBs in the country through their current and past students is really on display today, and I congratulate all our winners on their achievements. Their stories show us the power in education, and how it can have a pivotal impact on your life’s path.
“I would like to commend our ETBs – they continue to go above and beyond to create diverse, accessible and effective learning opportunities in all corners of the country – impacting communities and ensuring people nationwide have access to education – regardless of what stage of life they are at.”