Hibernia College founder Seán Rowland has been conferred as Professor by the college a year and a half after he sold the business to Folens.

The accolade was presented at Hibernia College’s annual conferring ceremony held in Dublin’s Convention Centre, where 920 Primary and Post-Primary teaching graduates received their degrees.

Born in Castlebar, Rowland was a driving force for change in third-level education in Ireland when in 2000 he established Ireland's first and only accredited online third-level institution.

A former primary school teacher, Rowland (63) also has degrees from Boston College and Harvard.

Hibernia College’s main focus is teacher tuition, with other courses in data analytics, inclusive and special education, and nursing. Its course are validated by QQI, the Teaching Council, and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.

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Rowland, the president of Hibernia College, sold the business to Folens in April 2021.

In the 8-month period to March 2021, the college had turnover of €9.6m and booked an operating profit of €1.4m.

Cashflow was very strong, due to upfront fees from students.

Net cash generated from operating activities in FY21 was €4.1m, and there was a cash pile of €14.6m in the balance sheet at period-end.

Photo: Sean Rowland (centre) with Mary Kelly, Academic Dean of  Hibernia College, and college CEO David Carpenter. (Pic: Photo Chris Bellew / Fennells)