SETU marked a significant milestone at its 2026 conferring ceremony in Wexford, with two graduates becoming the first to receive Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) awards at the University's Wexford ceremony.
Held at the National Opera House in Wexford town, the occasion saw over 120 graduates receive academic awards across 20 programmes of study, celebrating their achievements and the growing breadth of higher education opportunities in the county.
The ceremony brought together graduates of SETU's Summerhill Road Campus, alongside their families, friends, academic staff and members of the wider University community, to recognise years of dedication, academic achievement and personal development.
Presiding over the ceremony were Professor Patrick Prendergast, Chancellor and Chair of SETU's Governing Body; Professor Harriet Dunbar-Morris, Chief Academic Officer and Deputy President; Dr Derek O’Byrne, Vice President Academic Affairs, Teaching and Learning; and Dr Karen Hennessey, SETU Head of Campus in Wexford.
Graduates were recognised across a diverse range of disciplines, including art, visual communications and design, early childhood education, tourism and event management, digital media, business, and sustainable farm management.
A milestone for research in Wexford
The awarding of PhD degrees for the first time at the Wexford ceremony represents an important milestone for SETU, reflecting the University's commitment to advancing research and higher education opportunities across the south east.
The two doctoral graduates, Lucies Cases and Tapiwa Zengeza, were recognised for their research in the area of agriculture,
Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Harriet Dunbar-Morris, Chief Academic Officer and Deputy President of SETU, congratulated graduates and reflected on the significance of the occasion:
“Today is a particularly special occasion for SETU in Wexford as, for the first time, we celebrate the conferral of Doctor of Philosophy degrees at this ceremony. This is an important milestone for our University and a reflection of our growing research community and ambitions across the south east.
While we mark this historic first, today is ultimately about celebrating the achievements of each of our graduates. Across a diverse range of disciplines, you have demonstrated commitment, resilience and ambition, and we are immensely proud of what you have accomplished.
As you take the next steps in your careers and lives, I encourage you to carry forward not only the knowledge and skills you have gained, but also the curiosity, determination and sense of purpose that brought you here. You are now part of a growing SETU alumni community, and we look forward to seeing the contribution you will make to your professions, communities and wider society.”
The Wexford ceremony forms part of SETU's 2026 conferring celebrations, which this year recognise the achievements of over 4,000 graduates across ceremonies in Waterford, Carlow and Wexford.