Alumni from the past two decades of the MTU Crawford College of Art and Design’s (CCAD) Creative Digital Media programme gathered recently at a special event to reconnect, reflect, and celebrate their remarkable achievements since graduation.
On Friday 11th October, Munster Technological University’s (MTU) Media Communications Department, which is part of CCAD hosted the memorable reunion at MTU’s Cork School of Music, celebrating 20 years of graduates from the Creative Digital Media (CDM) programme (formerly Multimedia).
The evening was filled with inspiring stories from graduates who have forged diverse and successful careers across industries, including Visual Effects, Animation, User Experience Design, and Film Making.
The featured speakers were John Hayes (www.johnhayesvfx.com), Ian O’leary (IOB), Ian McCall (Kavaleer Productions), Matthew Corbett (TELUS Digital), Emer O’Kelly (EY), Aoife Lucey (J&J Innovative Medicine Europe), Tríona McCarthy (Cloudera) and Shane Serrano (www.shaneserrano.com).
They shared valuable insights on resilience, adaptability, and the importance of lifelong learning in a fast-evolving industry. The reunion was not just a celebration of past accomplishments, but a reminder that learning never stops, with many attendees noting how essential it is to stay updated with new tools and techniques.
Organised by CDM lecturer Joey Campbell and Val Renehan, Head of the Media Communications’ Department, the event highlighted how Creative Digital Media has grown from its early days in CIT to become a globally respected programme. Graduates expressed gratitude for the strong foundation the course provided, emphasising the key roles of creativity, curiosity, and collaboration in their continued success.
Ms Renehan said this reunion was a celebration of staff, students, and graduates – a celebration of two decades of curiosity, creativity, connection and community that stretches across the island of Ireland and beyond.
“Over 20 years, our graduates have transformed ideas into award-winning projects, businesses, new technologies, methods, processes, products, services, communities and initiatives in a broad range of creative disciplines and roles.
“Many have developed and nurtured new skills, all contributing to industries that are changing the way we communicate and interact with the world. We are immensely proud of what they have accomplished and the way in which they have carried the spirit of the programme forward.”
One of the graduates, Matthew Corbett, said on the night: “Looking back, my four years studying Creative Digital Media at Munster Technological University (back then Multimedia in CIT) was an incredibly formative time. I learned skills and made friends that are still with me today.
“It was a lot of fun revisiting that time, speaking with staff and other alumni. Even more special to be one of those asked to present to the attendees.”
According to another graduate, Liam Scannell, “No career path is ever a straight line, and adaptability is key.”
Joey Campbell added: “A heartfelt thank you goes out to all who attended and shared their journeys, and to the MTU Media Communications’ Department for organising such a special occasion. Here’s to the next 20 years of innovation and creative growth.”
Find out more about CCAD Creative Digital Media Programme here: https://crawford.mtu.ie/
