Published on: Wednesday, 13 March 2013

Photos by Darragh Kane

On Tuesday, 12th March 2013, Gerard Rainsford from the School of Science and Informatics at CIT was named as Overall Best Student at the Annual Prizegiving. CIT President, Dr Brendan Murphy, presented him with his prize at a ceremony in the Council Room on CIT’s Bishopstown Campus. Gerard, from Crookstown, Co. Cork, was also awarded the prize for Best Taught Masters Degree Student.

CIT President, Dr Brendan Murphy said: “This Prizegiving is an important and special event in the Academic Calendar of CIT. In the last months of 2012 we held Institute Conferrings where the academic achievements of each of our 2,400 graduates was recognised. Tonight, we are recognising and honouring our elite graduates who have achieved the highest level of academic excellence across the Institute. In short the best of the best.”

Gerard graduated from CIT in Electrical Engineering in the 1980s and worked abroad for a number of years. Since his return to Ireland he has worked as an Engineer in the Electronics and Pharmaceutical industry. He recognised a need to update his qualifications so he returned to CIT where he studied at night and initially achieved certificate level. He continued his studies and has now emerged as Best Taught Masters Degree Student and Overall Best Student. He is currently employed by Crest Solutions Software Company.

Brendan Kelleher, Best Bachelor Degree Student, Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

Francis Cooley, Best Bachelor Degree Student, School of Humanities.

Norma Madden, Best Honours Degree student, Department of Continuing Education.

Shane Kiely, Best Honours Degree Student in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

Sam Perkin, the Best Taught Masters Degree Student, CIT Cork School of Music.

Mark Casey, was named Best Honours Degree Student, Department of Applied Physics and Instrumentation.

Anthony Mannix, Best Bachelor Degree Student, Department of Computing.

Eoin French, Best Taught Masters Degree Student, Department of Architecture.

Brian Murphy, Best Taught Masters Degree Student, Department of Continuing Education.

Hugh Murray, Best Honours Degree Student, CIT Cork School of Music.

Gary Murphy, Best Bachelor Degree Student, CIT Crawford College of Art & Design.

Cassandra Eustace, Best Honours Degree Student, CIT Crawford College of Art & Design.


Emma Grice received the Marshall Hudson Award for Best Art Education Student at CIT Crawford College of Art & Design.

Aoife Ni Labhradha, Best Taught Masters Degree Student, CIT Crawford College of Art & Design.

David Higgins, Best Bachelor Degree Student, National Maritime College of Ireland.

Padraig Condon was named Best Honours Degree Student, National Maritime College of Ireland.