Earlier this month (2 May), Ulster University hosted 130 members of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC) at the Derry~Londonderry campus for a familiarisation and networking event, known as the ‘Guidance Counsellor Discovery Event’.
This was the second time the University had hosted IGC members, who attended a pilot event in the Belfast campus in 2024, and was organised by the Market Engagement Team.
The Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC) is the professional body for Guidance Counsellors in Ireland, practising across a variety of settings, including Second Level Schools, Further Education and Training Colleges, Adult Guidance, Higher Education and in Private Practice.
With applications and enrolments from the Republic of Ireland having increased continually since 2019, the Discovery Event facilitated strategic recruitment activity to strengthen the University’s relationship with the IGC and to support Guidance Counsellors who play a vital role in advising Leaving Certificate and Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) students from the Republic of Ireland.
This event provided a platform to highlight the breadth of academic programmes available at Ulster University, as well as the student experience offered at the Derry~Londonderry campus.
Attendees engaged with the University’s leadership and academic colleagues, as well as with students during the event’s comprehensive programme of presentations, panel discussions and campus tours.
The University was privileged to have the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Lilian Seenoi–Barr, formally open the event. Her presence, particularly at the outset of the City of Derry Jazz Festival, underscored the civic importance of the occasion. Also, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Seawright OBE delivered an engaging keynote address, highlighting Ulster University’s success in being awarded ‘THE University of the Year for the UK and Ireland’ and outlining the University’s ambitious future for the Derry~Londonderry campus.
Further contributions included presentations by Oonagh Mc Alister (Residential Services Manager) on the University’s student-centred approach to accommodation, ensuring affordability and inclusivity; a comprehensive overview of admissions processes by Ronan Cullen (Head of Admissions), who emphasised transparency and clarity in application and enrolment data; and a Graduate Medicine Student panel chaired by Professor Louise Dubras (Head of School of Medicine), whose students generously shared their experiences of studying MBBS Medicine at Ulster.
Conán Meehan, Student Outreach & Recruitment Officer, who co-organised the event, said:
“Organising this event was a genuine privilege, both professionally and personally. As someone from Derry, it was incredibly meaningful to welcome 130 Guidance Counsellors from 22 counties in Ireland to a city and campus I’m deeply proud of.
“The day was filled with memorable moments, from the warm welcome extended by the Mayor amidst the buzz of the City of Derry Jazz Festival, to the honest and inspiring insights shared by our students during the panel sessions.
“It was heartening to see so much engagement and interest from our guests, and I truly hope the event gave them a strong sense of what makes Ulster University - and our Derry~Londonderry campus in particular, which is such a distinctive and welcoming place to study.”
The success of the day was further strengthened by the commitment and professionalism of academic staff and student ambassadors who facilitated subject-specific sessions and guided campus tours.
Special thanks are extended to Laura Prior, who co-led the planning and delivery of the event, and to Anthony McGrath for his support in championing the vision behind the initiative.
Anthony McGrath, Head of Market Engagement, said:
“We have built solid relationships with IGC members in recent years and this event was designed to solidify this even further.
“By hosting this group at our Derry~Londonderry campus, we are aiming to open the minds of a group of very influential people and position Ulster University and the North-West as a leading university destination.
“Our challenge now will be to ensure that all of those who attended this event have UU and the North-West in general, at the foremost of their minds when discussing options with Leaving Cert students and their families.”
Post-event feedback from Guidance Counsellors:
“This was the best guidance counsellor event that I have ever attended. Not alone did it provide a wealth of information about courses and services but also, a real feel for Derry and its people. The campus tours were excellent, I learned so much, and I will – without a shadow of a doubt – be encouraging my students to strongly consider Derry as not just a place to study, but as a destination. I left the campus believing that, as staff, you really care about your students and are so proud of Derry.”
The University extends its sincere appreciation to the Guidance Counsellors who travelled from 22 counties across Ireland - some travelling from as far afield as Cork, Waterford and Wexford - and whose participation contributed to the event’s success.
We look forward to continuing this valuable partnership in support of students exploring higher education opportunities across the island of Ireland.
Find out more:
For questions about the event, please contact Conán Meehan by email to c.meehan@ulster.ac.uk
