We are delighted to have hosted one of our largest graduation events for the FIATA Diploma course this past Saturday, 19th September 2026. Over 80 assembled guests, across graduates, their families, employers and representatives of the IIFA Council gathered to celebrate the success of this latest group of Irish FIATA Diploma holders.
Taking place in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Dublin Airport, 23 graduates out of a total of 32, assembled to receive their Diplomas and personalised trophies from the IIFA, presented by the President of the Irish International Freight Association Gerard Kiernan. Gerard, himself a maritime Freight Forwarder of 40 years, spoke to the graduates about the geopolitical and infrastructural challenges facing the Irish logistics industry of today. He complimented the graduates on their commitment to learning and self-development, rising to meet the challenges ahead for this island nation on the edge of Europe.
The 2025 – 2026 group faced a new academic challenge in a higher minimum standard set internationally by FIATA, Switzerland. Through our most recent revalidation process with FIATA last July 2025, (which takes place every 4 years), FIATA’s Logistics Institute introduced a new standard of 60% as a minimum grade to obtain a PASS for the FIATA Diploma, replacing the previous level of 50%. This latest group were the first to undertake their studies against this higher standard, yet the results were of a notably high quality with 14 Distinctions (81% and above), 15 Merits (71% - 80%) and 3 Passes (60% - 70%).
In closing the event, the IIFA Executive Officer Seamus Kavanagh acknowledged the international participants who took part with the 2025 – 2026 course; Mohamad Alameddine (Lebanon), Thomas Pappas (Greece) and Ljubica Vranjkovic (Croatia). Each recognised the value of the learning and standard of this highly regarded industry recognised qualification. Unable to work with a learning provider for the FIATA Diploma in their home territory, they sought the FIATA Diploma as an international participant through IIFA.
Back in the IIFA office, the Secretariat are already into the second module of the 10-module FIATA Diploma course with the 2026 – 2027 group. This is the 19th group to be delivered through the IIFA. This latest group is a class size of 31, comprising 18 member colleagues, 8 outside of the IIFA membership and 5 participants undertaking the course internationally.
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Berna Akkaya with IIFA President Gerard Kiernan |
Arabinda Bhar with IIFA President Gerard Kiernan |
Celio José Corrêa with IIFA President Gerard Kiernan |
Carl English with IIFA President Gerard Kiernan |
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James Fitzgerald with IIFA President Gerard Kiernan |
Michelle Geoghegan with IIFA President Gerard Kiernan |
Cristina Heras Sáenz with IIFA President Gerard Kiernan |
Joanna Jawor with IIFA President Gerard Kiernan |
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Eoghan Lillis with IIFA President Gerard Kiernan |
Shauna Malone with IIFA President Gerard Kiernan |
Graeme Martin with IIFA President Gerard Kiernan |
Erika Martinho with IIFA President Gerard Kiernan |
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Hugo McDonald with IIFA President Gerard Kiernan |
Graeme Martin with IIFA President Gerard Kiernan |
John Mathew P with IIFA President Gerard Kiernan |
Bruna Caroline Pereira with IIFA President Gerard Kiernan |
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Livia Polastri with IIFA President Gerard Kiernan |
Darren Quinn with IIFA President Gerard Kiernan |
Natalia Soares Campos with IIFA President Gerard Kiernan |
Christine Turner with IIFA President Gerard Kiernan |
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Vaishak Vijaykurup with IIFA President Gerard Kiernan |
Declan Walsh with IIFA President Gerard Kiernan |
Jandaia Zandonella with IIFA President Gerard Kiernan |
