Local political representatives recently joined with students and members of staff at St Mary’s University College to celebrate the high quality of student life at the Falls Road campus.

This new event in the College calendar was designed to highlight the rich tapestry of activities in which the students are involved outside of their academic studies. The College Principal, Professor Peter Finn, said,

“These activities, which include support for college liturgies, musical performance, participation in sports, promotion of the Irish language and volunteering in community education programmes, enhance the transferable skills of our students and are also of benefit to wider society”.

The celebration also recognised the successful outcome of the “Save St Mary’s” campaign and, in particular, the contribution of the College students, local community groups and political representatives in achieving this success. It came, appropriately, at a time when the study of Education at St Mary’s was ranked second only to Cambridge University in the Guardian University League Tables, which cover all the higher institutions in England, Scotland, Wales and the North.