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IFP Seminar Day, June 2022

Tuesday the 14th of June saw over 150 Ireland Fellows gathering in the Morrison Hotel, Dublin for a day of knowledge sharing, networking and some good Irish fun.

The annual IFP Seminar Day in association with Irish Aid and the Department of Foreign Affairs was opened by Mr. Feilim McLaughlin, Director, Global Programmes and Global Citizenship Education Unit, Department of Foreign Affairs. We then had remarks by Minister of State, Mr. Colm Brophy, T.D. and comments from Ms. Laura Harmon, Executive Director, Irish Council for International Students (ICOS). Laura then introduced the first presentations of the day, from four of the Ireland fellows who spoke about their experiences in Ireland and what they’ve learned and loved so far.  

Presentations were given by:  

  • Alfred Afeku, Uganda – MSc in Environmental Economics, NUIG 
  • Mwewa Kapotwe, Zambia – MSc in Business Economics, UCC  
  • Bipendra Prakash, Fiji – MSc in Climate Change, MU 
  • Tran Minh Hoang, Vietnam – MSc in Strategic Management, UCD 

All presenters spoke incredibly well and their presentations were thoroughly enjoyed by all.  

All attendees enjoyed lunch in the Morrison Hotel which was followed by presentations on Ireland’s Policy for International Development. Speakers included Helen Counihan and Patrick McManus, Policy Unit, and Eileen Scollan, Climate Unit, Department of Foreign Affairs who spoke on priority areas including Global Health, Food, and Climate Change.  

Ireland Fellows got another chance to present on the day on their particular research areas. We heard from: 

  • Blessing Zanorashe Muchena, Zimbabwe – MSc in Humanitarian Action, UCD 
  • Ivan K. H. Almassri, Palestine – Master in Education, TCD 
  • Chanpasuk Phommaseng, Laos – Mphil in International Peace Studies, TCD 
  • Jodean Deprise Ongelibel Remengesau, Palau – MSc in Co-operatives, Agri-Food and Sustainable Development, UCC 

Each session throughout the day finished with an engaging and inquisitive Q&A session.  

After a long day, the Ireland Fellows were treated to an Irish Night in Taylor’s Three Rock, full of stew, Irish dancing, apple tart, traditional music, and a cultural swap of dancing and music to close out the night.