Published: Thursday, 18th June, 2009 9:00am

Awards students told to "stay motivated"

Nicola Judge, who received the NVQ Level 2 Award in Food Service, with Leo Murphy, campus manager and Nuala McNulty, fundraising co-ordinator Special Olympics Ireland, guest speaker at the South West College Celebration of Success.

Students at the South West College, Enniskillen campus were told 'success is there for us all but remember your fellow human beings; you are only as good as you are to other people,' at the College"s Celebration of success on Tuesday.

The special event, which honoured the most hard-working and dedicated students across the Further and Higher Education and Training provisions at the Enniskillen Campus, saw over 50 awards presented in the departments of professional services, social sciences, technology and training and was attended by staff from South West College, students and their families and friends.

The guest speaker was Nuala McNulty, Fundraising Co-ordinator for Special Olympics Ireland who has been based in the College for the past five months and campus manager, Leo Murphy officiated proceedings.

Mr. Murphy outlined exciting developments that have occurred on the campus since last year such as the development of a £10 million Skills Centre at the Killyhevlin Industrial Estate.

'We will be taking possession of a new £10 million Skills Centre in early July. This will leave us in a very strong position in Construction and Engineering. I know these have gone down with the economic downturn but they will come back and our students will be at the forefront after using this very fine facility.'

Mr. Murphy added that an Estates Committee has been formed to look into refurbishing the Enniskillen college building. 'It has served Enniskillen and this county well since 1971 and is facing redevelopment.'

'Innovative' work is being undertaken with Fermanagh District Council to 'support rural development technology' and students are working closely with Fermanagh TV, a community based TV programme 'which will give the students more opportunities.'

Mr. Murphy added that the new South West hospital will benefit Health and Social care students and negotiations are ongoing with hospital representatives with regards training opportunities.

'You are ambassadors for the College,' he told the students and he referred to a famous golfer who once said: 'The road to success is always under construction.'

Continuing this theme, Nuala McNulty, Fundraising Co-ordinator for Special Olympics Ireland said 'I am a great advocate of life long learning.' She urged the students to retain the skills they have learned in the College and use them in their everyday lives. She also encouraged them to get back into education if they have the opportunity in the future.

'Lives can take different turns but you are never too old to go back to education,' she claimed.

The fundraiser who managed to collect £25,000 from Fermanagh charity donations, praised the county for their generosity and told the students: She urged the students to 'stay motivated' and 'learn from your colleagues, team mates and staff.'

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