An Cosán graduates to step up to community leadership roles

Twenty-six adult learners from An Cosán community education centre in Tallaght are all set to step up to community leadership roles following their graduation at South East Technological University Carlow’s recent lifelong learning conferring ceremony.

The graduates, who were joined in Carlow by their proud families and members of An Cosán staff, are already involved in their local communities and, with their new qualifications under their belts, are well placed to continue to make a positive impact.

Twenty graduated with a BA in Applied Addiction Studies and Community Development and six with a BA in Leadership and Community Development.

Both degree programmes, which are delivered by An Cosán and accredited by South East Technological University (SETU) Carlow, aim to equip graduates with the necessary knowledge, competencies and skills for them to make a professional contribution to communities, groups and organisations in a local community context.

With 14 of the graduates coming from Tallaght and other parts of Dublin, and the remainder representing 12 other counties – from Cork to Donegal, and Wicklow to Galway – communities across Ireland are set to benefit from the graduates’ community leadership skills.

Suzanne Leech from Jobstown, Tallaght, who graduated with a BA in Leadership and Community Development, said her experience of higher education with An Cosán was one of the most fulfilling educational experiences she had ever had. “Returning to education, especially for a woman, can be a daunting experience as there are so many situational barriers involved that may not be present for other learners,” she said.

“An Cosán’s ethos of promoting inclusivity and equal access to education was paramount to my learning. They allowed blended learning and afforded me the ability to study from home while working and raising a family.

“An Cosán, as an establishment, has stood the test of time as my own mother, Elizabeth, was one of the first members of The Shanty, which was the original name of An Cosán, and many years later they are still welcoming and educating the community of Tallaght.”

Suzanne, who is actively involved in a voluntary capacity in her local community, hopes to secure work in the area of community engagement, especially supporting those who face barriers to accessing education.

“I feel that this is an area I could excel in and bring my expertise to,” she said. “As a community leader, I understand that leadership can have a huge effect on social change, and I look forward to bringing the skills and knowledge I have attained to make social change in my community in areas such as the economy, education and our environment.”

Usha Ramalingam from Lucan, who graduated with a BA in Applied Addiction Studies and Community Development, said she greatly enjoyed her time studying with An Cosán.

“I could not believe that, as a single parent with two children, I could complete a BA degree,” she said. “Thank you to An Cosán for making this possible for women, like me, from a minority and disadvantaged background.”

Usha, who is currently on the Community Employment scheme as a recruitment administrator with the Irish Wheelchair Association, hopes her degree will help her secure her dream job as a community development officer.

“The knowledge and skills I have learned through the course are a great help to me to do my best in the community environment,” she said.

“I am a very active member of the community, leading people and working with community groups. I was elected Chairperson of Adamstown Big Tree Community Group.”