and Training centre was opened on Tullow Street, by Deputy Ann Phelan TD. The 2016 Conferring took place on 13 November, with the ceremony in the adjoining Cathedral and a reception in the college. The 2018 Graduation took place on 29 November. The College awarded its inaugural St. Columbanus Medal in November 2018, to Dr Martin Mansergh, in recognition of his contribution to the Peace Process in Ireland. In December 2019 the papal nuncio Archbishop Okolo accepted the medal on behalf of Pope Francis. Links with other colleges In recent years, the college has established special links with Carlow University, Pittsburgh and with St. Ambrose University, in Davenport, Iowa. Other colleges which Carlow hosts study abroad programmes for University of West Florida (Irish Experience Programme), Mount Mercy University, Harper College, Kishwaukee College, and Parkland College in Illinois, through the Illinois Consortium for International Studies and Programs and Madison Area Technical College, Wisconsin these programmes would include excursions, Irish Literature and history courses. Students' Union The students of the college are organized under Carlow College Students' Union (CCSU), the smallest affiliate member of the Union of Students' Ireland (USI). CCSU formed in 2010 with aid from USI, electing its first President Terry Behan at the end of the 2009/10 Academic Year. While having always acted autonomously, CCSU did not gain formal autonomy until 2017 when its autonomy was added into the CCSU constitution by a referendum of its members, and acknowledged by the college. Past presidents of CCSU are as follows: Terry Behan 2010–2012 Joeseph Farrelly 2012–2013 Niamh Coffey 2013–2014 Niall Torris 2014–2015 Conor O'Leary 2015–2016 Adam Clarke 2016–2018 Amanda Bowes 2018–2019 Adam Kane 2019–2020 Brendan Mansfield 2020–2022 Jacky Casserly 2022–present Carlow College Students' Union opened USI National Congress in 2018 with the outgoing President seeking a formal condemnation of the Rohingya Crisis in Myanmar by USI. The motion passed with no objection and USI continues to work with Amnesty International on the issue. Partnership with Trinity College, Dublin In November 2007, Carlow College signed on an agreement with Trinity College, Dublin, which allows for a new strategic collaborative partnership in the Humanities and Social Sciences between the two oldest colleges in Ireland. The partnership has led to the M.Ed. programme in Carlow which commences in September 2012. Coinciding with this agreement, in 2008, Carlow College played host to a series of History lectures named Re-interpreting Rebellion in Irish History as