Health Promotion Unit

History of MIC

 

Foundation

Mary Immaculate College was founded in 1898 for the training of primary school teachers. In 1974 it became a Recognised College of the National University of Ireland. Since then it has offered a three-year Bachelor of Education Degree. In 1992 a Liberal Arts Degree was introduced.

On 18 October 1896, Bishop Edward Thomas O'Dwyer looked for permission for the establishment of a teacher training college in Limerick. For the setting up the College, eleven acres of estate on the south-west side of the city was bought. The foundation stone was laid on 8 December 1899. This date began the future of Mary Immaculate College. Mary Immaculate celebrated its centenary year in 1998.

 

Health Promotion in MIC

 

 

In 1996, Mary Immaculate College became the first institution in Ireland to be officially designated as a Health Promoting College.

The Health Promoting College Project was set up to promote the health of all members of the college community through policy development and education.

In line with the recommendations of the Health Promotion Strategy,1995, a multi-disciplinary approach was employed. The college developed close links with the Department of Health and Children and the Mid-Western Health Board, both of whom provided significant support to the initiative.

Other organisations who supported the project include Limerick County Council, Limerick Corporation and An Garda Siochána. Targets for short-term and long-term health gain and social gain were identified and a framework was devised for the college in which such targets could be addressed and achieved.

The Health Promotion Office provides many resources on health to both staff and students.We have wide selection of health promoting materials which we make available as teaching practice aids and as general information sources.

The Health Promotion Team runs various different workshops during the year in an effort to increase health awareness among both staff and students at Mary Immaculate College.

The 'Being Well' Programme,The 'Journey to Health' weight loss programme, the 'Cutting Down to Cut Out' Smoking Cessation Programme, and the Pregnancy Support link are just a few of the Initiatives that the Health Promotion Team at M.I.C. have put into place to improve student and staff health and well-being during their time here.

We at Health Promotion hope to empower staff and students to care for their health in the hope they will integrate healthy practices in their daily lives.