A GROUP of Lisneal College pupils were among the latest batch of Londonderry teenagers honoured for proving everyone is good enough to attain a university education.
A total of sixty-six pupils from schools across the city - Lisneal College, St. Brigid's College, St. Cecilia's College, St. Joseph's Boy's School, and St Mary's College - proudly attended their graduation ceremony last Thursday evening after success
fully completing the University of Ulster's highly acclaimed Step Up Programme.
Pioneered by Dr Damian O'Kane, the Magee campus based scheme aims to inspire pupils from schools who do not historically have a tradition of sending pupils to University.
Since its inception eight years ago the scheme, which has a focus on science subjects, has had almost 500 graduates, many of whom have gone onto successful careers in various disciplines including radiography, physiotherapy, nursing midwifery and optometry.
Dr Damian O'Kane, Head of Access and Educational Partnerships and Director of Step-Up, said the programme focused on engaging students in academic work they saw as meaningful.
"Since our launch eight years ago, 97% of the students who have completed the programme have progressed to university," he said.
"Step-Up clearly demonstrates what can be achieved when universities in partnership with schools and industry are encouraged to strengthen and enrich the secondary school curriculum and actively engage students in academic work that they perceive as meaningful and motivating.
"We are delighted once again to be able to showcase the outstanding achievements of the young people who have participated in the programme."
Martine Mulhern, Vice Principal of St Mary's, paid tribute to the vision of Dr O'Kane.
"The programme has been a real success story. Dr O'Kane took a risk, but he had a vision of what could be achieved and the Step Up programme has proved highly successful. It has done so much for the youth of this city," she said.
She said as well as the academic success, the programme prepared children for all aspects of university life, and gave participants great confidence and experience.
And she added that it was testament to the success of the participants that the programme has now been extended to Belfast.
Mrs Mulhern said she believed the programme should be rolled out right across the UK
The full article contains 406 words and appears in Londonderry Sentinel newspaper.
