AIT Life Vol 3 No 1

AITLife Volume3Number1 1 >

LifeVolume 3 | Number 1 | January 2011

AIT – FORTY YEARS A GROWIN’AlookbackatthesignificanteventsinAIT’shistoryoverthepastfourdecades

AN ARTS DEGREE FOR THE MODERN ERAFiftyyearssinceAthlonewasatthecentreofaliterarystorm,anewartsdegreecombinesourcreativeheritagewithourcommunicationsfuture

BREAKTHROUGH IN BATTLE AGAINST MRSAResearchintotheuseofnovelpulsedlighttechnologyinthefightagainsthospitalinfectionsisshowingpositiveresults

NEW INDOOR SPORTING ARENAAIT’snewindoorsportsarenarepresentsamajorinvestmentintheeducationalandsportinginfrastructureoftheregion

www.ait.ie

AIT Life Vol 3 No 1.indd 1 07/01/2011 09:43

> 2 AITLife Volume3Number1

3 WelcomefromthePresidentofAIT

4 AIT–FortyYearsaGrowin’

6 AnArtsDegreefortheModernEra

7 NewDegreeinTourismandGuestServicesManagement

SmartThinkinginTourism

8 EngineersIrelandAccreditsCivilEngineeringHonoursDegree

9 NovelMeansofDeliveryofDrugsBeingInvestigatedatAIT

10 AITRelaunchesitsDegreeinPharmaceuticalSciences

11 NewApplicationtoReduceInfectioninHealthCareSettingsTestedatAIT

12 InsidetheArtCollection

14 AITRecognisesExcellenceinBusinessamongJuniorCertificateStudents

15 AITSelectsTeamtoParticipateinNewstalkStudentEnterpriseCompetition

16 FocusonAlumni

18 AITAmongstTopPerformingCollegesforInnovationPartnerships

KnotaProblem!

19 LearningtheBusinessofSport

PartnershipbetweenAITandAllianzWorldwideCare

20 ExperienceofThird-LevelStudentswithDisabilityPublishedinReport

21 ExploringwhatChinahastoOffer

22 NewIndoorSportingArena:AMajorInvestmentforAIT

23 EnsuringWinningWays

AITLifeVolume3Number1

AITLifeAthloneInstituteofTechnologyDublinRoadAthloneCoWestmeathTel+353(0)906468000Webwww.ait.ie

EditorBrianLynchTel+353(0)[email protected]

Cover photographStudentswalkinginthelinkcorridortowardstheBusinessSchool

Table of Contents



Anyonewhohasvisitedourcampusoverthepastcoupleofyearswillhavebeenstruckbythechangingnatureofthestudentpopulation.Firstly,therearemorestudentsherethanatanytimeinthepast.Secondly,thestudentpopulationismuchmorediversethanhaseverbeenthecase.Over20percentofourstudentsisclassifiedasmature,andthese‘returned’learnersbringwiththemanexperienceoftheworkplacethatistothebenefitofall.ThethirdchangeisinrelationtothegrowingpopulationofinternationalstudentsatAIT.Thisnumberhasbeenincreasingsteadilysince2000,andnowaccountsforsome400learnersdrawnfromthefourcornersoftheglobe.Intandemwiththis,weareofferinganincreasingnumberofopportunitiesforourIrishstudentstostudyatoneofourinternationalpartnercolleges.

Asalways,eachspringbringswithitthepressureofcollegeandcoursechoices.Thesearenoteasydecisionstomakeanditisunderstandablethatprospectivestudentsandtheirparents/families,guidancecounsellorsandalleducationprofessionals,wanttodoallthatispossibletomakesurethatthe‘right’decisionsaremade.Forthisreason,wehavefocusedinthecurrentissueofAIT Lifeonsomeournewandinnovativedegreeprogrammes.TheserepresentjustahandfulofthecoursesthatareonofferthroughtheCAO,butIhopethattheygiveyouaflavourofwhattheseparticularprogrammesentail.

Thereisobviouslymuchelseherebesides,includingalookbackatfourdecadesofAITintheMidlands,informationaboutsomeofourresearchactivity,anupdateonwhatanumberofourgraduatesaredoing,andalookaheadtothenewindoorsportsarena.

Finally,inthisourfortiethyear,Iwouldliketoexpressmypersonalgratitudetoallthosewhohavesupportedtheinstitutesinceourfoundation.Countlessthousandshavepassedthroughthesehalls,eachcontributingintheirownwaytomakingAITasuccessstoryofIrishhighereducation.Letuscontinuetomakehistory,consciousofthelastingimpactoftheworkthatwedo.

Beirbua.

ProfessorCiaránÓCatháin

President of AIT, Prof. Ciarán Ó Catháin pictured with the Governor of TVTC, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr Ali Al-Ghafis

Welcome from the PresidentRecent months have offered little escape from an unrelenting diet of doom and gloom. It seems that for every corner turned, there is an unpleasant surprise waiting to rob us of any creeping sense of confidence. Despite the negativity, however, there is still much to be positive about in this country. Not least in this counter narrative is the story of higher education and the impact which it is having on many people’s lives.



AthloneInstituteofTechnologybeganlifein1970

asaregionaltechnicalcollege.Itwasthefirsttoopenofadozensuchinstitutionsestablishedbythegovernmentto‘fillgapsintheindustrialmanpowerstructure,particularlyinthetechnicianarea’.InitiallythecollegewasunderthemanagementoftheCountyWestmeathVocationalEducationalCommittee,butwithitsownmanagementboard.Thefoundingdirector,DrDavidFenton,broughtgreatdriveandenthusiasmtohistaskandlaiddownfirmandenduringqualitystandards,notleastinthemaintenanceandpresentationofbuildingsandgrounds.Additionalenhancementwasprovidedbytheestablishmentofanartcollectionin1975.

Inthefirstdecadestudentnumbersgrewslowly,butinthe1980s,withtheintroductionoffinancialsupportfromtheEuropeanSocialFundandincreasedawarenessofthevalueofthird-leveleducationaspreparationforaworthwhilecareer,therewasadramaticandsustainedincreaseinenrolment,bringingthecurrentstudentbodytomorethan6,000.Staffnumbersatalllevelsalsoincreasedfromaninitialhandfultoacurrenttotalofalmost700.

Attheoutsettheworkofthecollegewasdividedbetweenthreedepartments,taskedwiththeprovisionofasuiteofcertificateanddiplomaprogrammesinthedisciplinesofbusiness,engineeringandscience.Thestructureandcontentofprogrammeswasdevelopedincloseconsultationwithindustryandprofessionalbodies.Eachprogrammewasthenvalidatedbyanexpertpanel,appointedbytheNationalCouncilforEducationalAwards,thebodythatalsoappointedexternalexaminersandconferredqualifications.

Revised StructuresAsthecollegegrewandmatured,theseearlyarrangementsweregraduallyreplacedbyrevisedstructures.VECcontrolendedin1993,whenthecollegebecameanautonomousinstitution.Administrationwasstrengthenedbythecreationoftheofficesofregistrar,financialcontrollerandheadofdevelopment.Programmeswererevisedandlaboratoriesequippedtotakefullaccountoftheinformationtechnologyrevolution.Whilethecommitmenttotechnicalandtechnologicaleducationwasretained,thecollegeinmanyareashadadvancedwellbeyondtheprovisionoftechnicians.Primarydegreeprogrammeswereintroducedatordinary

andhonourslevelsandweresoonwidelyavailable.Theselaidthefoundationforawardsatmaster’sanddoctorallevels,asresearchactivitygrew,mostnotably(butnotexclusively)inbioscience,materialsandsoftwareengineering.

Name ChangeIn1998thesedevelopmentswererecognisedbyanamechangetoAthloneInstituteofTechnology.In2004theHigherEducationandTrainingAwardsCouncil,whichhadsupersededNCEAin1999,delegatedtoAITthepowertoconferitsownHETAC-accredited,primarydegreeawards.Thegrowthinstudentnumbersandtheproliferationofprogrammesnecessitatedthere-designationofthethreeoriginaldepartmentsasschools,eachsubdividedintoanumberofdepartments.AnewSchoolofHumanitieswasaddedin2001.

Growthandincreasedspecialisationnecessitatedconsiderableremodelingandenlargementoftheoriginal1970campus,andtheprovisionofnewpurpose-builtbuildingsforsportandrecreation(1991),hospitalitystudies(2003),nursingandhealthcare(2005)andengineeringandinformatics(2010).Sportsfacilitieswereenhancedbythedevelopmentoffootballpitches,afitnesssuiteand

AIT – Forty Years a Growin’DrHarmanMurtagh,visitingfellowandretiredlawlecturer,retracesinbriefthehistoryofAthloneInstituteofTechnology



theadditionin2008ofahigh-qualityathleticsarenathatimmediatelybecamethevenueforthenationalfinalsoftheHSECommunityGames.Instituteteamshaveenjoyedmanysuccesses.Studentserviceswereputinplaceorimproved,includinglibrary,IT,dining,chaplaincy,counselling,catering,health,disabilitysupport,peermentoringandcareers.Asocialcentrewasbuilt.

Theinstitutewasagainfortunateinitsseconddirector,nowpresident,ProfessorCiaránÓCatháin.Anacknowledgedexpertonthemanagementofchange,hebroughtbothenergyandadeptnesstotheinstitute’snever-endingengagementwiththeprocessesofrenewal,modernisationanddevelopment.Oneofhismostsuccessfulinitiativeshasbeentoincreasetheenrolmentofoverseasstudents,especiallyChinese,whonowapproachtenpercentofthefull-timestudentcohort.

Regional RoleAIThasalwaysemphasizeditsregionalobligations.Theachievementoffamousmidlanders,suchasthe

scholarsofClonmacnois,OliverGoldsmith,the3rdEarlofRosse,DouglasHydeandJohnCountMcCormackisacknowledgedonthecampus.Thepresenceoftheinstituteisasignificantengineofeconomicgrowthintheregionandastimulustoinvestment.Approximatelyhalfitsfull-timestudent

cohortcomesfromthemidlands.Theinstitutealsoprovidesarangeofpart-timeadultandcontinuingeducationprogrammes,eveninganddaytime,tofacilitatestudentswhoareatwork.Thedemandfortheseprogrammeshascontinuedtogrow,reflectingagreaterawarenessofthevalueoflifelonglearning.In2005adedicatedfacilityforcollaboratingwithhigh-potential,start-upbusinesseswasopenedoncampus,makingavailabletheresourcesandexpertiseoftheinstitutetosupportclientcompanies.Innumerousways,staffandgraduateshavecontributedenormouslytotheeconomic,socialandculturallifeoftheregionandparticipatedinitscontributiontonational,andindeedinternational,life.

Group of catering supervisors, 1975

Dates for the Diary

11 February 2011Fortieth anniversary black tie dinner

29 March 2011Distinguished fellowship conferral ceremony



Itwillbe50yearsin2011sinceAthlonewasthrownintotheliteraryspotlightwiththe

publicationofJohnBroderick’sThe PilgrimagewhichwasbannedbytheCensorshipBoard.BroderickisjustoneofanumberofartistswhoseworkswillfeatureinthenewBA(Hons)inSocietyandCommunications,tocommenceinAITinSeptember2011.

TheMidlandshasnotfiguredintheliteraryorartisticpantheoninthesamewayastheWestofIreland,butAITisdeterminedthatthegraduatesofthisinnovativenewBAprogrammewillbeconversantwiththewriters,film-makersandartistswhohaveshapedtheirownarea,fromGoldsmithinthe18thcenturytothenewtalentsofartistslikeKenWardrop,directorofthehighlyacclaimedHis & Hers.Thisappreciationwillhelptoinculcateconfidence,prideandasenseofcommunityintheMidlandsheritage,elementswhichhavelongbeenlackinginthelessfavouredBorder,MidlandsandWest(BMW)regionandwhichareregardedasfundamentaltoinnovation,socialandeconomicrevival.

Unique as an Arts DegreeTheBAinSocietyandCommunicationscanclaimtobeuniqueasanartsdegreeinthataswellascoveringmanyofthetraditionalstrengthsofbroad-basedcoursesaimedatthedevelopmentofgraduateswithstrongtransferableskills,thoseacceptedonthecoursewillalsobenefitfromthepracticalorientationmorecommonlyassociatedwiththeeducationprovidedbyinstitutesoftechnology.Graduateswillbehighlypolishedinallaspectsofcommunication,expertintheuseofthenewsocialmedia,trainedinproblemsolvingandteamwork,exposedtothepsychologyofinterpersonalrelationsandespecially,groundedthroughpracticalexperienceoftheworkplacebyvirtueofanextensiveplacementelementinthethirdyearoftheprogramme.Theywillalsobenefitfromthehighlyfavourablestaff-studentratiooftheIoTsectorandwillthusbelesslikelytosufferthefateofmanyuniversityartsstudentswhocanlosetheirwayinoverlylargeclassgroups.

EmployershavehighlycommendedtheskillsetprovidedbythisBAsayingthatitwillimprovethequalityofnewentrantstotheworkforceandwillprovidethemwithsmart,adaptable,culturedandsociallyadeptpeoplewhowillbeanassetinanynumberofroles.TheskillsetalsocorrespondsstronglywiththoserecentlyprojectedbyForfásandotherstateagenciesasvitaltoeconomicrecovery.

An Arts Degree for the Modern EraDr Marian FitzgibbonHead of School of Humanities

Surf directly to the web page for this degree using the QR code below

> AL055 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Society and Communications



NEW DEGREE IN TOURISM AND GUEST SERVICES MANAGEMENTSuccessivereportshavepointedtotheimportanceofmanagementtraininginthetourismindustryinIreland.AIThasaveryimportantroletoplayintheeducationandtrainingoffuturemanagersforthetourismandhospitalityindustryintheMidlandsandfurtherafield.TheDepartmentofHospitality,TourismandLeisureStudiesisintroducinganewthree-yearBAinTourismandGuestServicesManagement,whichwillcommenceinSeptember2011.

Thisprogrammebuildsonkeystrengthsofthedepartmentwhereexpertiseandstrongsynergiesintourism/hospitality,sport,recreationandleisure,havebeendevelopedovertheyears.Thedepartmentalreadyoffersanumberofnicheprogrammesinspamanagementandinhotelandleisuremanagement.Additionally,itmeetstheneedsoflocalindustrybyprovidinganumberofday-releaseinitiatives.Coupledwiththis,thedepartmenthasstronglinkswithindustrythroughitsextensiveprogrammeofplacements.

TheBachelorofArtsinTourismandGuestServicesManagement(Level7)willgivestudentstheknowledge,skillsandcompetenciesnecessaryforemploymentinmanagementand/orsupportpositionsinthefrontoffice,hospitalityandtourismindustry.Italsoopensupopportunitiesforfurtheracademicstudyinthisorrelatedareas.

Thisprogrammeprovidesamodern,academicallyrigorousandindustryrelevanteducationalexperience.Thescopeoftheprogrammecoverscustomerservice,operations,andmanagementoftourismresources,enterprisesand/orresortsinamoderndynamicbusinessenvironment.Thisnewcourseiscreativeandhastakencognisanceofdevelopmentsintheindustry,educationandstudentdiversity.

SMART THINKING IN TOURISM

On15June,AITwillhosttheannualTourismHospitalityResearchinIrelandConference(THRIC).Thethemeoftheconferencethisyearis‘Smartthinkingintourism’.

Theconferencewillexploreavarietyofsub-themes,includingbusinessmanagement,SMTEsincludingfamily-runtourismandhospitalitybusinesses,e-tourism,tourismpartnershipsandnetworking,thenewtourismconsumeranddestinationbrandmanagementandtourismmarketing.

ThekeynotespeakerisMelanieSmith,AssociateProfessoratCorvinusUniversity,Budapest.Heraddresswillfocusonthedevelopmentofmorecreativeandexperientialformsoftourism,withanemphasisonnicheformsoftourism.

[email protected] #thric.ait


> AL045 Bachelor of Arts in Tourism and Guest Services Management



Educationincivilengineeringreceivedatimelyboostwith

thenewsthatAIT’sBachelorofEngineering(Honours)inCivilEngineeringprogrammehasreceivedfullaccreditationfromEngineersIreland.Thisrecognitionfromtheprofessionalbodydeemssuccessfulgraduatesfromthecoursetohaveachievedtheeducationalrequirementnecessaryforthetitle‘CharteredEngineer’andisasignificantmilestoneinthedeliveryofcivilengineeringeducationinthemidlandsregion.

Thegrantingoftheaccreditationisforafive-yeartermandwillalsoapplyretrospectivelytograduatesfromthecoursesince2008.

TheBEng(Honours)inCivilEngineeringdegree

wasdevelopedin2006asatwo-yearadd-ontotheexistinglevel7programmesofferedbytheDepartmentofCivil,Construction&MineralEngineering.Notwithstandingthewell-publicisedcurrentdownturninconstructionandrelatedprofessions,thisparticularcourseisgoingagainstnationaltrendsinincreasingitsstudentnumbersyearonyear.Fromsevenstudentsin2006,therearecurrently33studentsenrolledfull-timeontheprogramme.

International RecognitionThisrecognitionfromEngineersIrelandisparticularlyimportanttograduatesintimesofincreasingcompetitionforjobsinIreland.Moreover,thisoffersinternationalrecognitionworldwidethroughtheWashington

Accord–amajorinternationalagreementcoveringmutualrecognitionofthirdlevelengineeringqualifications–andthusoffersgreateremploymentpotentialtograduates.

New Faculty BuildingTheannouncementoftheachievementofaccreditationfromEngineersIrelandcomeshotontheheelsofthemovebytheSchoolofEngineeringtoabrandnewstate-of-the-art10,500sq.m.dedicatedfacultybuilding.Thelecturingandlaboratoryfacilitiesofferedinthisnewhomeforengineeringareamongthefinestinthecountryandfacilitateworldclassteachingandresearch,afactacknowledgedbythevisitingpanelfromEngineersIreland.

Welcomingtheannouncement,Austin

Hanley,HeadofSchoolofEngineering,commented:‘ThisisaprouddayfornotonlytheDepartmentofCivil,ConstructionandMineralEngineering,butfortheSchoolofEngineeringandtheinstituteasawhole.Itputstheprogrammeonaparwithuniversitiesandensuresworldwideprofessionalrecognition.Itwillprovideourgradateswithevenmoreconfidencethattheirqualificationswillberecognisedbyemployersbothathomeandabroad.Particularthanksisduetotheprogrammeleader,DrPaulArchboldandallthestaffinvolvedinthedevelopmentanddeliveryofthisprogramme.’

TheDepartmentofCivil,ConstructionandMineralEngineeringhasdevelopedconsiderablyinrecentyears

Engineers Ireland Accredits Civil Engineering Honours Degree




andcurrentlyoffersprogrammesincivilengineeringandconstruction-relateddisciplinesatalllevels,fromhighercertificateuptoMaster’sandPhD.

FergalSweeney,HeadofDepartment,hopesthattheannouncementwillencourageprospectivestudentstoconsidercivilengineeringandconstructionprogrammeswhendecidingontheircollegeoptionsdespiterecentnegativecoverageoftheindustry.

Hesaid:‘Civilengineersandconstructionprofessionalswillalwaysberequiredinordertodesign,constructandmanageinfrastructuraldevelopments,whicharenecessaryinanyfunctioningsociety.Aqualificationincivilengineeringorconstructionmanagementcanpreparegraduatesforsuccessfulcareerswithintheindustryorinotherchosenfields.Further,highlyqualifiedprofessionalswillcontributesubstantiallytothegovernment’sfetedknowledgeeconomythroughdirectindustryinvolvementandthroughcarryingoutcuttingedgeresearch.HereatAIT,wecanofferinternationallyrecognisedtaughtprogrammesatalllevelsandarewell-positionedtobuildonourcurrentstatusasoneoftheprimeresearchinstitutesinthecivilengineeringdomain.’

ResearchatAITintonovelmeansofdeliveryofdrugshasthepotentialtomaketreatmentofpatientsmoreeffectiveandreduceunpleasantsideeffects.

PrincipalinvestigatorDrMichaelNugentiscurrentlyleadingacollaborativeresearchprojectbetweenAITandFreundPharmatectodevelopacommerciallyviabledrugreleasesystem.Theprojectispart-fundedbyEnterpriseIreland.

AccordingtoDrNugent:‘Thesmarteconomyneedssmartmaterials;AIT’stechnologycanbedefinedassmartinthesensethatitreactsinadistinctivemannertodiversesituations.Inmuchthesamewayasplantsopenandclosetheirleaveswithchanginglightconditions,wecanmanipulateourmaterials’behaviourindifferentpartsofthebody.Thishasapplicationsintermsofdrugdeliverytechnologyandbuildsontheknow-howandexpertisepresentinbothAITandFreundPharmatec.’

DrNugentexplained:‘Ifapersonissufferingfromamedicalconditionandthedoctorprescribesdrugs,thisdrugwillbeahigherconcentrationthanrequiredbecausethebodywillbreakdownthedrugbeforeitreachesitstarget.Targeteddrugdeliverymeansthatthedrugconcentrationcanbeatlowerlevelsandthetreatmentcanbemoreeffective.Lowerconcentrationsofdrugsmeansareductioninunpleasantsideeffects.’

FreundCorporationistheleadingpharmaceuticalequipmentsupplierinJapan,employingover300peopleinJapanandtheUS.FreundPharmatecopeneditsnewEuropeanhubinTullamore,CoOffalyin2010,withthecreationof25highqualityjobs.TheprimaryfocusofthejobscreatedinTullamoreisinnewdrugdeliverytechnologiesandclinicaltrialmanufacturing,aswellasanumberofpositionsinmarketing/salesofpharmaceuticalequipmentandexcipients.

NOVEL MEANS OF DELIVERY OF DRUGS BEING INVESTIGATED AT AIT

An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen TD, is pictured at the opening of Freund Pharmatec’s European hub in Tullamore last year. Also pictured are representatives of the company, the IDA and AIT’s President, Prof. Ó Catháin.

Improving Patient Care


> Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil Engineering



ThePharmaChemindustryisundoubtedlyIreland’smostvaluableandstableindustrial

sector.Ithadexportsof€42billionin2009andemployedmorethan25,000directly,withasimilarnumberinsupportroles.WitheightofthetoptenglobalPharmaChemcompanieslocatedhere,theindustryhasanongoingdemandforgraduates,frequentlyofferingstartingsalariesofc€28,000.Basedontheincreasingdemandforgraduateswhoarequalifiedinpharmacology,biologicalsciencesandchemistry,AthloneInstituteofTechnology(AIT)hasrevampeditshonoursdegreeinpharmaceuticalsciences.

TheBSc(Honours)inPharmaceuticalScienceswillnow:• Featurenovelstudent-centred

teachingapproaches• Integrateteachingwiththe

researchactivityofAITandindustryresearchers

• Utilisenewstate-of-the-artlaboratoryfacilities

• Comprehensivelyimpartallaspectsofproductdevelopmentactivities

• Imparthands-on,life-longskillsetsinsynthesis,formulationandanalysisofallpharmaceuticalingredients

• Uncoverthechallengesfaceddailybyindustryscientistsandpresentsolutions,aswellasmethodologiestoapplytheoptimalexperimentaldesignstoaddresssuchchallenges

• AcceptapplicationsfromholdersofappropriateLevel6andLevel7awardsforentrytoyear3andyear4asappropriate

Learn answers to fundamental questions such as:• Whyaresomedrugsaddictiveand

otherscreatenosuchdependency?• Howaredrugsnamed?• Whatdoesstrengthorpotency

mean?• Howisaspirinmade?• Howisitmadeintoatabletor

otherdosageform?• Howdoesaspirindifferfrom

ibuprofenorparacetamol?• Howdoesaspirinknowwhereto

goafterthepatientswallowsit?• IfItakeaspirinforaheadacheor

myGrantakesitforrheumatisminherlegdoesthepainfulplacecallittoitssite?

• Howisittestedandcertifiedforsafety?

• Whyaresomeothertherapiessoexpensive?

AIT Relaunches its Degree in Pharmaceutical SciencesJames RocheLecturer, Department of Life and Physical Science

A Case StudyWould Aspirin Pass Muster

Today?

In an early expression of ethno-pharmacology, a version of aspirin was extracted from the bark of the willow in medieval times for use as a painkiller. But this form was overly acidic for many uses and a more benign version is now chemically synthesized since the late 1890s. Aspirin is a widely used analgesic (painkiller) and also has antipyretic (fever reducing) and anti-inflammatory properties. Despite its longevity and simplicity (it is structurally one of the smallest drugs), it continues to surprise and was recently cited to have certain anti-cancer (colon) effects, to go with earlier reports of anti-stroke properties. It is something of an anachronism in that many experts in toxicology would agree that were aspirin to be discovered today, it would possibly fail to satisfy the strict safety criteria laid down and requiring to be satisfied prior to drug approval.



AIT’sBSc(Hons)inPharmaceuticalScienceswillcomprehensivelyequipgraduatesfromthecoursewiththetechnicial,analyticalandsupervisoryskillsrequiredtomeetthechallangestotheIrishmultinationalandSMEpharmaceuticalsectoroverthecomingdecadeandbeyond.Thiscourseisuniqueinprovidinganintegratedplatformforthestudyofthepreparationandfateofdrugsinthebody.

What Career Paths are Open for Graduates of Pharmaceutical Sciences?PreviousgraduatesarecurrentlyconductingPhDandMScresearchin:• Pharmacognosy• Forensicanthropology• Formulationdevelopment• Pharmaceuticalanalysis

Theyarealsoinfull-timeemploymentas:• Syntheticchemists• Activepharmaceuticalingredient

characterisation• Preformulationscreening• Chromatographicscientists• Toxicologyandbioanalytical

specialists


> AL053 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Pharmaceutical Sciences

AcollaborativeresearchteamfromAthloneInstituteofTechnology(AIT)andNationalUniversityofIreland,Galway(NUIG)havetestedapulsedlightapproachthatcoulddisinfectandsterilisemedicalinstruments,devicesandsurfaces.

Thisisthefirsttimesuchatechnologyhasbeenappliedinahealthcaresetting.ItisparticularlyeffectiveatkillingMRSAstrains.

Accordingtothedirectorofthebiomedicalandhealthscienceresearchgroup,DrNeilRowan,“Thegrowingprevalenceofhospital-acquiredinfectionsincreasestheneedtoexaminenewapproachestosteriliseanddisinfect.Whilepulsedlighthasbeenusedbeforeasameansofdecontaminatingfood,packaging,airandwater,itwasneverappliedinthehealthcaresetting.Thisisasignificantdevelopmentandamajorpublichealthresearchproject.”

Pulsed-powertechnologiesareanewapproachtotargeteddeliveryofenergy.Theycanusethatenergyasalightorgasinordertokillgerms.

Researcherstestedtheresponseofavarietyofgerms,includingMRSA,tothepulsedpowertechnologyunderfixedconditionsinalab.Thisprovidedagoodbaselineagainstwhichtheycouldtesthowthegermsrespondedtopulsedlightunderdifferentphysical,chemicalandbiologicalconditions.

Therewasarapidandrepeatedreductionofallgermsoncontactsurfacesandintheairincomparisontoconventionaldisinfectionmethods.Theteamwentontodiscoverthatoncetreatedwiththepulsedpowergermswerenotabletoinfecthumancelllines.

Thistechniquehasmajorpotentialasamethodofsterilisationanddisinfectioninhospitalsettings.AccordingtoDrRowan:‘Itcouldhelptopreventinfectionwhichwouldimpactpositivelyonpatientoutcomesandreducecostsassociatedwiththeconsequencesoftreatinginfection.’

TheresearchprojectisfundedbytheHealthResearchBoardandisprofiledinthecurrentissueofPicture of Health 2010,whichhasjustbeenpublishedandcanbeaccessedatwww.hrb.ie.

New Application to Reduce Infection in Health Care Settings Tested at AIT



Withover170worksbymodernIrishartists,AthloneInstituteofTechnology

hasthelargestartcollectionofanyinstituteoftechnologyinthecountry.Establishedin1975,thecollectionhasbeengenerouslysupportedbytheArtsCouncil’sjoint-purchasescheme,thegovernment’sper-cent-for-artprogramme,andprivateandcorporatedonors,includingAITStudents’Union.

Thestark,modernistinteriorsoftheinstitute’smainbuildingsofferanidealhangingspacethatisparticularlyhospitabletocontemporaryart.Thecollectionismethodicallyintegratedintotheinstitute’sbustlingandcrowdedenvironment,offeringcolourandvisualstimulationtothemostcasual

observer,whileposing–ateveryturn–intellectual,aestheticandsensualchallengestothosewhochoosetolookmoreclosely.

Amongstthelargestandmoststrikingworksaretheexternalsculptures:EileenMcDonagh’slimestoneAllegoryandJohnBehan’stotemicmetalFish.Majorinteriorworks,commissionedthroughopencompetition,include

DouglasMooney’slight-responsiveglassandsteelsculptureDichroic planes,JamesHayes’three-parthangingsculptureSierpinski’s growthinthenewEngineeringandInformaticsBuildingandAliceMaher’sLandmark,agiantgoldenaxeburiedinthewalloftheHospitality,TourismandLeisureStudiesBuilding.

PaintersrepresentedincludeBarryCooke,withasomberandintrospectiveSleeping figure,MartinGalewiththreeiconicoils,The artichoke window,Outbackandarareinterior,Armchair traveller,andthetechnicallyaccomplishedCareyClarke,withtheatmosphericandbeautifulJune morning Bourgougnague Lot-et-Garonne.LouisleBrocquy,nowinhisninety-fifthyear,isrepresentedbyessentialimagesofourgreatestwriters–his‘head’series-includingJoyce,Synge,YeatsandBeckett.UrbanlandscapesareprovidedbysuchworksasJohnDoherty’sbrilliantlycrispAngles,DonalTeskey’smulti-facetedandexpressionistPolling dayandBernadetteMadden’sdelicatelycolouredbatik,Lower Baggot Street.

OtherimportantartistsrepresentedincludeGeorgeCampbell,RobertBallagh,ConstanceShort(whoseworkhereincorporatesapoemhandwrittenbyitsauthor,PaulDurcan),MickO’Dea

Inside the Art CollectionDrHarmanMurtagh,visitingfellowandcuratoroftheartcollection



(whoseportraitofMichealÓSiadhailalsoincorporatesapoembythesitter),WilliamCrozier,ColinMiddleton,CharlesHarper,JaneO’Malley,PatrickHarris,JaquelineStanley,PaulFunge,FelimEgan,JamesHanley,theexplosivelygiftedMichaelMulcahyandthebrilliant

printmaker,thelateMaryFarlPowers.Whatenlivensthisby-no-meansexhaustivelististheopportunitytoseeworkbyrarelyseenpainterssuchasRosaleenDavey–thepastelcalledMaternityisafineexampleofhermetaphysicalstyle.ThereisalsoalargeprintcalledCumulusbyBrendanNeiland,formerKeeperoftheRoyalAcademyinLondon.UpandcomingartistsincludePaulDoran,MarkO’KellyandCorbanWalker.

AmongstthepicturesonloanfromLukeWhitingtonisalargeConstructionbyNeilGall,recentlyre-hunginthenewEngineeringBuilding.

Localprofessionalartistsarealsorepresentedinthecollection:MichaelCasey,AnnaMarieLeavy,MargoMcNulty,SheilaHough,AnneRigneyandMareeBannon.

RecentadditionstothecollectionincludePaulineBewick’ssensualVisual translation of Brian Merriman’s The Midnight Court,YannisSoutvatzogolou’ssculptureAphrodite figuredonatedin

memoryofCaoimheFeerick-Ryan,astudentwhodiedtragicallyinamotoraccident,andsixworksbySeanFingleton,formerlyonloantoIMMA,andnowgenerouslylenttoAITbyMrWhitington.

ArevisededitionofThe Modern Irish Art Collection,acatalogueofAIT’sartcollection,editedbyDrHarmanMurtaghandKateBatemanwillbepublishedinFebruary2011.

Image credits:Centre:OutbackbyMartinGaleTopleft:Poppies IIbyWilliamCrozierBottomleft:Aphrodite figure by YannisSoutvatzogolouTopright:UntitledbyPaulDoran

Inside the Art CollectionDrHarmanMurtagh,visitingfellowandcuratoroftheartcollection



Threeyearago,AIT’sBusinessSchoolintroducedthe

JuniorCertificateAwards,aninitiativethatrecognisesacademicexcellenceinJuniorCertificateexaminationsforsecondlevelstudents.StudentswhoreceivedanAgradeintheBusinessStudies(Higher)subjectintheJuniorCertificatearerecognisedataspecialawardsceremonyhostedbytheinstitute.

Inthefirstyear,25schoolsand118students,togetherwiththeirparents,businessstudiesteachersandschoolprincipalsattendedtheawardsceremonyandwerepresentedwithascroll/certificateofachievement.In2010,thatnumberhadrisento40participating

schoolswith194students.Theoccasionhasbeenverysuccessfulwithpositivefeedbackforallinvolved.Guestspeakeratthe2010ceremonywasBrendaShanahan,winnerofthefirstseriesofThe ApprenticeonTV3.Drawingonherbusinessexperience,Brendaspokeabouttheimportanceofmotivationandtakingtheinitiativeinordertobesuccessful.OriginallyfromPortumna,CoGalway,shestudiedfrontofficemanagementinAITintheearlynineties,beforeenteringtheworldofemploymentwithaGalwayhotel.Havingwonthepopularbusinessskillscompetitionin2008,BrendaisnowChiefOperationsDirectorwithBillCullen’sGlencullenGroup.

Attheceremony,HeadoftheDepartmentofBusinessStudies,PeterMelinn,saidthat:‘Incongratulatingtheawardrecipients,AITalsowishestoacknowledgethepartplayedintheirsuccessbyparentsandguardians,otherfamilymembersandtheteacherswhoguidedtheirlearningandhelpedtomotivatethestudentstowardstheirachievementinthebusinessstudiesexam.’HehopedtheexcellentresultwhichthestudentsgainedintheJuniorCertificatewould‘inspirethemtocontinuetodotheirbestandfulfiltheirpotentialintheyearsahead’.

ThePresidentoftheBusinessStudiesTeachersAssociationofIreland,MaryO’Sullivan,also

commendedthestudentsontheirachievements.Shespokeaboutthevalueandimportanceofstudyingbusinessatsecondlevelandhowitofferedthepotentialforexcitingandrewardingcareers.

AccordingtoEdelDaly,astudentatMoateCommunityCollege:‘IwasveryhappytoreceivetheJuniorCertBusinessStudiesAwardfromAIT,asIhaveaninterestinthesubject,andamconsideringacareerinbusinesswhenIfinishschool.Onthenightoftheawards,guestspeakerBrendaShanahantalkedofherownexperiencesandthehardworkneededtobesuccessful.IalsofoundoutaboutthefacilitiesandcoursesAIThastooffer.’

AIT Recognises Excellence in Business among Junior Certificate Students

Students from Athlone Community College: Back Row Jack Quilty (Athlone Credit Union), Louise Connolly (Teacher), John Finnerty, Dermot Donnelly, Robert, Eastwood, Laura Finneran, Chris-topher Chong, Niamh Campbell, Sorcha Mc Manus, Caoilainn Scouler, Claire Connaughton, Eileen Donohoe (Principal), David Keane, Rebecca Wilson, Kellie SheriffFront Row: Luke Fannon, Azeez Adagun, Shane Lennon, Fiachra Lennon, Niamh Watson, Mairead Mulry, Aoife Coyle, Aine Brennan, Caroline Dowl-ing, Conal Sheeran, Brian Murphy, Rory O Sullivan, Eoin Langan



Thefulllistingofschoolswhoparticipatedin2010is:

Cavan:BailieboroughCommunityCollege;RoyalSchool,Cavan;andLoretoCollege,Cavan.

Galway:ÁrdscoilMhuire,Ballinasloe;GortCommunitySchool;HolyRosaryCollege,Mountbellew;MercyCollege,Woodford;PortumnaCommunitySchool;PresentationCollege,Athenry;PresentationCollege,Tuam;StBrigid’sVocationalSchool,Loughrea;StBrigid’s,ConventofMercy,Tuam;StJarlath’sCollege,TuamandStKillian’s,NewInn,Ballinasloe.

Longford:CnocMhuireSecondarySchool,Granard;LanesboroCommunityCollege;MeánscoilMhuire,Longford;andStMel’sCollege,Longford.

Offaly:ÁrdScoilChiaráinNaofa,Clara;BanagherCollege/ColáistenaSionna;ColáisteNaomhCormac,Kilcormac;GallenCommunitySchool,Ferbane;KillinaPresentationSecondarySchool,Rahan;SacredHeartSchool,Tullamore;andStBrendan’sCommunitySchool,Birr.

Roscommon: AbbeyCommunityCollege,Boyle;CastlereaCommunitySchool;CBS,Roscommon;ConventofMercy,RoscommonandScoilMhuire,Strokestown.

Westmeath: AthloneCommunityCollege;ColáisteMhuire,Mullingar ;LoretoCollege,Mullingar ;MaristCollege,Athlone;MoateCommunitySchool;OurLady’sBower,Athlone;StAloysiusCollege,Athlone;StJoseph’sCollege,Summerhill;StJoseph’sSecondarySchool,Rochfortbridge;andWilson’sHospitalSchool,Multyfarnham.

Students from St Mel’s, LongfordBack row: Damien Cunningham (Principal), Mark Neville, Dermot Brady, Hugh Farrell, Matt Hynes (Business Studies Teacher), Eoin LanganFront row: Stephen Mc Loughlin, Brenda Shanahan and Daniel Sullivan

FollowingthelocalfinaloftheNewstalkStudentEnterpriseCompetitionatAIT,ateamofstudentshasbeenchosentorepresenttheinstituteatthenationalsemi-finalofthecompetitioninFebruary.

ThestudentsthatmakeupthewinningteamareNikitaDementiev,EllenRodekuhr,InkenRodekuhrandArdanHennessy.ThefourstudentsareallundertakingtheBachelorofBusiness(Honours)degree.NikitaandArdanhadbothattendedsecondaryschoolatStFinian’s,Mullingar,whiletwinsEllenandInkenattendedCnocMhuireSecondarySchoolinGranard.

Nowinitsfifthyear,thecompetitionisdesignedtodevelopanunderstandingofbusinessmanagementandpromoteearly-stageentrepreneurshipamongthirdlevelstudents.Usingacasestudyformat,thecompetitionencouragesparticipantstoresearchcompaniesand,aspartofateam,devisesolutionstoreallifebusinessscenarios.

Duringthelocalfinal,eachteamreceivedthesamecasestudyforwhichtheyhadtodevelopasolution.Theteamthenhadtogivea30minutepresentationontheirsolutionstoapanelofjudges.Thejudgingpanelwascomprisedoflocalbusinesspeople,aswellasrepresentativesfromAIT’sBusinessSchool

TheoverallprizeforthewinningteamanditsteamcoachisastudytriptotheCaribbeanwheretheywillshadowseniorexecutivesinleadingtelecommunicationscompany,DigicelGroup.

AIT SELECTS TEAM TO PARTICIPATE IN NEWSTALK STUDENT ENTERPRISE COMPETITION

Nikita Dementiev, Ellen Rodekuhr, Inken Rodekuhr and Ardan Hennessy



CHRIS MOLLOYCulinary Arts

Fromhischildhooddays,Banagher’sChrisMolloywaspassionateaboutcooking.Havingservedanearlyapprenticeshiphelpinghismothertobakescones,whenitcametomakingachoiceaboutwheretoattendcollege,AITwastopofthelist.Hestudiedthethree-yearculinaryartscourse,fromwhichhegraduatedin2004withdistinctionandwonthestudentoftheyearaward.

ThatpassionanddrivehasservedChriswell,ashehasnowrisentotheroleofheadchefatThePunchbowlinMayfair,London,the

celebrityrestaurantownedbyfilmdirectorGuyRitchie.

HavingwontheNationalSkillsCompetition,asastudent,Chris’firstjobaftergraduatingwasinTheWineportrestaurantinGlasson,Westmeath.NextupwasDerryClarke’sMichelinstarrestaurantinDublin,L’Ecrivain;afterwhichhemovedtoLondonandworkedforGordonRamsey,atjusttheageof23.

HethentookajobinMaze,anotherMichelinrestaurant,andalsoworkedatArsenalFC’sDiamondClub.Throughoutthesestints,Chriswasbuildingareputationasatop-classchef,soitwaslittlesurprise,whenarestaurantofthecalibreofThePunchbowlwantedhimtoheadtheirkitchens.

Chris’long-termambitionistoopenuphisownrestaurant,whilehesaysthathewouldn’trefusethechancetodohisownTVshow.

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ALAN REYNOLDSAccounting and Finance

AlanReynoldsgraduatedwithanhonoursdegreeinaccountingandfinancefromAIT.Aftertakingabreakfromstudyingforanumberofyears,hedecidedtopursuetheACCAqualification.Heoutlineshiscareerandwhathavinganaccountingqualificationhasmeant:

‘Icommencedmycareerinasmalltomediumsizedpractice,andhavingspentayearthere,decidedIwouldprefertopursueacareerinthefinancialservicesindustry.IspentthreeyearswithaleadingSouth

Africanassetmanagementcompany,workinginboththeirDublinandCapeTownofficeswhichgavemesuperbexperienceintermsoffundadministrationandaccountingoperations.

‘Atthatstageofmycareer,IdecidedIwantedtoconcentratesolelyonfinancialreporting.IthenjoinedJ.P.MorganBankIrelandasafinancialreportingassociateandhavebeenpromotedinsuccessiveyearstomycurrentpositionofassistantmanagerinthefinancialandregulatoryreportingteam.WorkingwithJ.P.Morgan,inafinancialreportingteamwithvastindustryandtechnicalknowledge,Ihavegainedexcellentexperienceacrossanarrayofinternationalclients,legalstructuresandaccountingconventions,engagingwithourmanystakeholdersindeliveringabestinclassservicetoourclients.’




KELSEY McEVOYVeterinary Nursing

KelseyMcEvoy,agraduateoftheBScinVeterinaryNursingandtheBSc(Hons)inAgriculturalStudiesatAITwassuccessfulintheIrishResearchCouncilforScience,EngineeringandTechnology(IRCSET)‘EmbarkInitiative’PostgraduateScholarshipscheme2010.

Kelseyiscurrentlyundertakingdoctoralresearchintohowtostopaparticularbacteria(Cronobactermalonaticus)fromcausingdisease,underthesupervisionofDrDamienBrady,DeptofLifeandPhysicalScienceatAIT.

Thisbacteriaismostoftenfoundinpowderedmilkformulasusedtofeedinfantsandcausesveryseriousproblemssuchasmeningitis,andinfectioncancausedeath.Thebacteriaworksbyinfectingcellsintheintestinesandthentravelstothebrainorotherpartsofthebody.

Kelseyisresearchinghowtofindawayofstoppingthebacteriafrominvadingtheintestinalcells,cuttingitoffbeforeitcanevenbegintocausedisease.

Kelsey,whoisfromAthy,CoKildare,graduatedwithafirstclasshonoursdegree,BScinVeterinaryNursing,andreceivedthebeststudentaward,aprizesponsoredbyBayer.

IRCSET’s‘EmbarkInitiative’supportsbasicresearchinthebroadareasofscience,engineeringandtechnology.

DAVID BRAYCivil Engineering

CivilengineeringgraduateandMeathman,DavidBray,wasoneofthoseinvolvedinthebuildingoftheM3motorwaythroughhisnativecounty.Theinter-countyfootballersayshewasjustonememberofabiggroupofengineers,surveyors,techniciansandtradespeopleinvolvedinoneofthelargestinfrastructureprojectsinIreland.

Oneofthemoresatisfyingaspectsofaroadengineer’sjob,hesays,isseeinghowsomethingcanbetransformedfromaplanonpapertothefinishedarticle.

DavidisemployedbyRoadstone,thecompanychargedwithputtingthefinishedtarsurfaceontheM3fromDunshaughlinasfarasClonee,includingnumeroussideroadsandroundabouts.

AccordingtoDavid,‘Therearethreeorfourtechnicianswhoworkwithmeand,basically,wegivetheladsthelevels,they’llcomebehindusandbringitupwitheachlayeroftar,.’

BeforecomingtoworkforRoadstonefouryearsago,DavidworkedforMeathCountyCouncil.Neveronewhoenvisagedworkinginanoffice,Davidenjoysworkingoutdoors,playinghispartinovercomingvariouslogisticalproblemsposedbysuchachallengingventure.

MAEVE BERRYBusiness and Languages

Accordingtopublicrelationsprofessional,MaeveBerry,she‘loved’herthreeyearsinAIT.‘Itgavemegreatgroundingforlife–thecampuswasfantasticandstudentaccommodationthemostsuperiortoanyothercollegesthatIhadvisited.Acliché,butImadefriendsforlife,andtheclubsandsocietiesweresoproactivethatitmadeintegrationintostudentlife–forsomeonethatdidn’tknowanyonewhenfirstattending–veryeasy.

‘NotknowingwhatpathtofollowafterIfinishedmydiploma,itwasoneofmylecturersinAITwhointroducedmetotheworldofpublicrelations.Asourclassesweresmaller,itallowedlecturerstoreallygettoknowstudents’strengthsandweaknesses.Studyingunderherinthemarketingstreamofthecourse,sherecognisedthatmyfortewasinmarketingandmorespecificallyPR(atermorcareerIhadneverheardof!).

‘ItwasthenthecareerguidancedepartmentofthecollegethatguidedmeonmyacademicpathtoeventuallycompletingaMaster’sinpublicrelationsandnow,sixyearsafterleavingAIT,IrunasuccessfulPRcompanywhichservicesclientsalloverIreland.’




AIThasbeennamedinthetopthreeinstitutesoftechnologyparticipatingintheInnovationPartnershipProgramme(IPP)from2007to2010.

DetailsreleasedbyEnterpriseIrelandshowthatAITcameinjointsecondplacewithDIT,havecompletednineprojectsoverthepastfouryears.WITtoppedtheinstituteoftechnologyrankingwith14projectscompletedovertheperiod.

AccordingtoBredaLynch,IndustryProgrammesManagerinAIT’sOfficeofResearch:‘Thisisanimpressiveperformanceindifficulteconomictimesgiventhattheprogrammeispart-fundedbythecollaboratingcompanies.ItreflectstheconfidencetheparticipatingcompanieshaveintheappliednatureoftheworkbytheresearchcommunityatAIT.’

AIT’sPresident,ProfessorCiaránÓCatháin,saidthat:‘Theinstituteis

committedtoundertakingresearchthatdeliversgenuinebenefitsforindustrypartnersandtheState.AIThasalongtrackrecordinR&Dcollaborationsandthispartnershipapproachcontinuestodeliverbenefitsinthesechallengingtimes.’

ThreeinnovationpartnershipswereundertakeninAthlonein2010upfromonein2009andtwoin2008.ThreeIPPswerealsoundertakenin2007.

TheInnovationPartnershipProgrammeencouragesIrish-basedcompaniestoworkwithIrishthirdlevelcollegestoaccesstheirexpertiseandresourcestodevelopnewandimprovedproducts,processes,services,andgeneratenewknowledgeandknow-how.

EnterpriseIrelandprovidesgrantsofupto80percenttowardseligiblecostsoftheresearchproject.

Innovation NewsAIT AMONGST TOP PERFORMING COLLEGES FOR INNOVATION PARTNERSHIPS

KNOT A PROBLEM!

ThemajorityofenquiriestoAIT’sMidlandsInnovationandResearchCentre(MIRC)comefromentrepreneursandcompanieslookingtoundertakecollaborativeresearch.

However,agroupofTransitionYearstudentsfromStWolstansCommunitySchool,CelbridgebroughttheirbusinessideatoAthlone,whentheycontactedtheMIRCaboutaproposalforadevicethatwoulddetangletightknots.

Accordingtothestudents,thepen-knifeshapeddevicewouldopenknotsinitemssuchasshoelaces,necklacesandearphonewires.

WhenthestudentsvisitedAthloneinNovember,theymetwithMIRCmanager,MichaelLonergan,aswellaswithAnn-MarieDurkan(founderofShasta),DrJamesKennedyandConorHayesfromtheMaterialsResearchInstituteatAIT.

JamesandConordiscussedthestudents’designwiththemandproposedwaysofimprovingit.Thestudentsalsogottoseesomeofthehigh-techmachinesusedintheinstituteforprototyping.

Afterthemeeting,thestudentsrealisedthatadesignchangewasnecessaryastheoriginalproposalwastoocomplexandwouldcosttoomuch.IncollaborationwithConor,thegroupdecidedonanewdesignandConorproceededtomakeaprototype.Thefinaldevicefeaturesonepointedendandonehookedendandisattachedtoakey-ring.

So,‘KnotaProblem’,rememberwhereyouheardofitfirst!



LEARNING THE BUSINESS OF SPORTAgroupof19studentsarecurrentlycompletingtheirfirstsemesteronanewCertificateinSportsAdministrationforcamogieadministratorsatAIT.

Theten-weekcourseintroducesparticipants,whoaredrawnfromclubandcountyadministrativepositionsintheCamogieAssociation,totheprinciplesandpracticesofadministeringasportsclubwithparticularreferencetoassistingthedevelopmentoftheCamogieAssociation.

Courseparticipantsarecoveringanumberoftopicsincludinganintroductiontofinancialmanagement;ethicsandlegalissuesinsportsadministration;introductiontotrainingandmethodsofinstructionskillsandleadershipandmanagementskills.ThecertificateisalevelsixsinglemoduleawardontheNationalFrameworkofQualifications.

SpeakingabouttheCertificateinSportsAdministration,PresidentoftheCamogieAssociation,Joan

O’Flynn,said:‘Ouradministratorshaveidentifiedaneedfortrainingtousasanassociation.ThiscourseprovidesafantasticopportunitytothoseintendingtoimprovetheirexistingskillsandknowledgeintheirroleswhilealsoreceivingarecognisedqualificationfromAIT–oneofthecountry’sleadinginstitutesforsportsandrelatedprogrammes.’

AITPresident,ProfessorCiaránÓCatháin,notedthattheprogrammereflectedtheinstitute’scommitmenttotheflexibledeliveryofhighereducation.‘AIThaslongrecognised

thatpeopleneedtoaccessthirdleveleducationinamannerthatsuitstheirprofessionalandpersonallifestyles.WeareofferinganincreasingnumberofflexibleprogrammesinAthlonethatreflecttheneedsoflearnersandorganisations.’

Courseparticipant,BelindaDooleyfromPadraigPearse’sClubinRoscommon,added:‘Thiscoursehasbeenabsolutelyfantastic.Ithasbeenagreatexperiencetomeetandlearnwithfellowmembersofthecamogiecommunityfromalloverthecountry.’

TheDepartmentofBusinessStudiesatAITistoundertakeasubstantialworkplacelearningpartnershipwithAllianceWorldwideCare(AWC),Parkwest,Dublin.TheDiplomainLeadershipprogrammehasbeenco-developedinresponsetoarequestfromAllianzWorldwideCarewhospecialiseinprovidinginternationalhealthinsuranceforemployees,individualsandtheirdependants.

Theprogrammewillbedeliveredon-siteandoncompletionparticipantswillreceiveaLevel860creditSpecialPurposeAwardinLeadership.

Commentingontheprogramme,ClaireCusack,HeadofHumanResourcesandTraininginAWC,said‘ThisuniqueprogrammeenablesAllianzWorldwideCaretodevelopleadersandensurewehavetherightpeopleinplaceto

supportourgrowingbusinessandtomeetfuturechallenges.Consciousofourcompetencymodel,itincorporatesAllianzGroup’sGlobalTalentManagementStrategyandemphasisesPerformanceManagementandDevelopment.ItreaffirmsandenhancesourcommitmenttoExcellenceThroughPeopleStandards.Allparticipantsarehighpotentialprofessionalseagertomakeagreaterimpactasamanager.’

HeadoftheDepartmentofBusinessStudiesatAIT,PeterMelinnadded:‘TheLevel8SpecialPurposeAwardisaprofessionalqualificationwithasyllabusthatcomprehensivelycoversallaspectsoftheparticipant’sroleandisbasedaroundpracticalexperienceandreflectivepractice.WearedelightedtoworkwithAWCinthissubstantialworkplacelearningproject.’

PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN AIT AND ALLIANZ WORLDWIDE CARE




Morethanthree-quartersofcollegestudents

withadisabilityorspecificlearningdifficultyusetechnologytohelpthemwiththeirsituation.Thefindingiscontainedinareport,Assessment & Support Services for Students with Specific Learning Difficulties,launchedrecentlyintheAscentRegionalAssessment&ResourceCentre,AIT.

Thestudentsuseacombinationofspecialisedassistivetechnology(AT),aswellasgeneralpurposetechnology,suchasMicrosoftWordandAdobe.Two-thirdsofstudentsusethetechnologyonadailybasis,withthree-quartersusingtheassistivetechnologymostfrequentlyathome.Fifty-ninepercentoflearnersusetheATleastfrequentlyinclass.

Amongsttheassistivetechnologiesusedatthirdlevelarevoicerecognition,speech-to-

text,text-to-speechandmindmappingsoftware.Specialisedhardwareusedinthecollegesincludesdictaphones,readingpensandtalkingdictionaries.

TheAscentprojectaimstoincreasetheparticipationandretentionofstudentswithspecificlearningdifficultiesatthirdlevel.Thisisachievedthroughtheprovisionofassessmentservicesandresearchtoinformandsupporttheuseofinterventionsforstudents.TheprojectpartnersarethefivehighereducationinstitutionsintheBorder,MidlandandWest(BMW)region:AIT,GMIT,ITSligo,LyITandNUIG.

AnnHeelan,ExecutiveDirectorofAHEAD(AssociationforHigherEducationAccessandDisability),said:‘Studentswithdisabilitiesacrossthecountryaredoingaswellasotherstudentswheretheygetthesupport.They

arecompletingthecoursesatagreaterrate;they’regettingasgoodifnotbetterfirstandsecondclasshonoursdegrees.Thisisareallyimportantmessageforemployerswhowantthebestemployees.Theywantthebestandstudentswithdisabilitiescandeliverthebest.Infact,theyoftenbringabroaderwayofthinking,moreresilienceandproblem-solvingbecausethathasbeentheirlifeandcollegeexperience.’

PatriciaKearney,DisabilityLiaisonOfficeratAIT,saidthat‘Thegreateruseofinclusivetechnologieswithintheteachingenvironmentmeansthateducationisnowmuchmoreaccessibleforallstudents.Facilitiesforstudentswithdisabilitiesandspecificlearningdifficultiesareintegratedtoamuchgreaterextentwithinmainstreamteaching,andthisisapositivedevelopment.’

TheAscentRegional

Assessment&ResourceCentrewasestablishedin2007undertheStrategicInnovationFund(SIF).Sinceitsopening,thepartnershavecollaborativelydevelopedandimprovedscreening,assessment,learningsupport,examinationaccommodations,inclusiveteachingandlearningandassistivetechnologyservicesforstudents.

TheSIF2-fundedREACHprojectbuildsupontheearlierworkbypromotingtheprogressionofstudentswithdisabilitiesandspecificlearningdifficultiestohighereducationthroughthetransferofexpertiseandresourcesfromthirdleveltosecondlevelandfurthereducationcolleges.Theprojectprovidesteachertraininginstudentneedsassessment,andadviceandsupportintheuseofassistivetechnologybystudentsinsecondlevelandfurthereducation.

Experience of Third-Level Students with Disability Published in Report




Asthethirdlargestcountryintheworldandwithapopulation

exceeding1.3billion,itisuniversallyagreedthatChinaisamajorglobalplayer.Overthepasttenyears,AIThasestablishedaseriesofstrategicpartnershipsandagreementswithsomeofthecountry’sleadingteachingandresearchuniversities.

OneofthemostrecenttobesignedwaswiththeCapitalUniversityofEconomicsandBusiness(CUEB),astateuniversity,locatedinBeijing,withacurrentenrolmentofsome20,000students.CUEBoffersundergraduateandpostgraduateprogrammesineconomics,management,law,literature,scienceandengineering.

OneofthebenefitsofthenewagreementforAITstudentsisthattheycancompleteasemesterorsummerprogrammeatCUEBspecialisinginanumberofdifferentareas.Theprogrammeoptionsare:theChineselanguage,China’seconomyanddevelopment,ChinesecultureandChinesecalligraphy,martialartsandculinaryarts.

TheBusinessSchooliscurrentlyassessinginterestfromstudentsinstudyingMandarinaspartoftheirfull-timeprogrammeofstudiesatAIT.TheDepartmentofAdultandContinuingEducationsuccessfullylaunchedapart-timeprogrammeintheChineselanguagein2010.

TherearecurrentlyfivestudentsfromCUEB

CHINA:SOME

INTERESTINGINFORMATION

The Chinese year is based on the cycles of the moon. A complete cycle of the Chinese calendar takes 60 years. The Chinese calendar dates back to 2600 BC and is the oldest known calendar. Each year is represented by an animal.

Red is considered a lucky colour in China. At one time, wedding dresses were red. New Year’s banners, clothing, and lucky money envelopes are still red.

Ten-year-old children are expected to know 2,000 of the over 40,000 written Chinese characters. By the time Chinese students leave college, they know 4,000 to 5,000 characters. Each character is learned by looking at it and memorising it. Unlike the 26 letters of alphabet, words cannot be sounded out letter by letter.

In 1979, three years after Mao’s death, a one-child policy was introduced to reduce China’s burgeoning population. This policy is still in effect today.

China is 8 hours ahead of Irish time.

The Chinese currency is the Chinese yuan.

Mandarin is the main language. There are a number of dialects in China.

Exploring what China has to Offer

studyingontheBachelorofInternationalBusinessatAIT.

InJune2010,adelegationfromAIT,accompaniedbyrepresentativesfromCUEBmetwithPresidentMcAleeseattheIrishConsulateinShanghai,aspartofherstatevisittothecountry.

AIThasexperiencedasignificantgrowthininternationalstudentnumbersoverthepast

decade,withsome400studentsfromoverseascurrentlyattendingtheinstitute.Sincethelaunchofthegovernment’sAsiastrategyin1999,AIThasbeenactiveindevelopinglinkswithuniversitiesinChinaandhaspartnershipswithhighereducationinstitutionsinBeijing,Shanghai,Dalian,Nanjing,amongstothers.



AIT’snewindoorsportsarenarepresentsa

significantinvestmentintheeducationalandsportinginfrastructureoftheMidlands.Withconstructionworkduetocommenceinthespring,itisplannedthatthenewfacilitywillopeninearly2012,justintimetoattractathletescompetingintheLondonOlympics.

The12,000m2buildingcomprisesthreedistinctareas:a6-laneathleticsarena,amulti-sportarena,andanoutdoorstandtoserve

theexistingathleticstrack.Inaddition,thecomplexwillhousechangingroomfacilities,agymnasium,high-performancetrainingrooms,arecoverysuite,medicalcentreandsupportrooms.

Theindoorathleticstrackandfieldauditoriumcomprisesa200m-bankedrunningtrack,spectatorseatingfor1,500persons,aswellasanelevatedathletewarm-upareawithan80msprinttrack.Theseparatemultipurposeindoorsportsauditoriumwillcaterforbasketball,futsal;aswellas

volleyball,badmintonandmultipleothersports.Ittoowillhavespectatorseatingfor1,500persons,whichcanbeincreasedto3,500spectatorsinconcertsetting.

Thebuildingwillprimarilycompriseapaletteofthreehighqualitymaterials:Portlandconcretepanel(similartoAthloneCivicCentre),greencopperpanelandthermallybroken,solarglare-reducingdoubleglazing.

Thebuildingincorporatesallacceptedpassiveandsustainabletechnology,

includingrainwaterharvestingandhighdegreesofinsulation.Themainathleticsarenaisnaturallylittoreducerunningcosts,withlightsusedrarely.Theauditoriaarenaturallyventilated,andthepreferredambienttemperatureofasportscentre–16degrees–facilitatesthelowestpossibleenergyuseforabuildingofthistype.Thebuildingwillbefullyaccessibleforpersonswithdisabilities.

Furtherinformationcanbeaccessedatwww.ait.ie/campus.

New Indoor Sporting Arena: A Major Investment for AIT




Whenitcomestocollegesportingfacilities,fewcampusesinIrelandcan

boastofaninfrastructureasfineasisavailableatAIT.Havinginvested€2.5millioninanIAAF-approvedathleticstrackandaFIFA2-starastro-turfpitchinrecentyears,theinstitutenowhasitssightsfirmlysetonupgradingitsindoorfacilities.

ThatreputationhaspositionedtheinstituteasthevenueofchoicefortheHSECommunityGamesNationalFinals,theCelticGames,aswellasnumerousothersportingcodesandevents.TheinstituteisthecurrentIrishRugbyCollegesUnionDivision1championsandwasasemi-finalistinlastyear’sSigersonCup.

Itisworthpointingout,however,thatdespiteamajorfocusbeingplacedonthesportingheadline-makers,AITcatersforalllevelsofsportinginterestandability,fromtheoccasionalparticipanttotheinternationalcompetitor.Oneofourcoreobjectivesistohaveasmanypeopleaspossibleparticipatinginsportingactivity,becausethehealthbenefitstoindividualsandtosocietyingeneralareincalculable.

Attheelitelevel,AITstudentsandgraduatesaretobefoundrepresentingtheircountryontheOlympicstage,competingintheAirtricityLeague,participatingintheGAAAll-Irelandseries,playingfortheirprovinceintheHeinekenCupandwinningtheIrishOpen.ThatisanimpressivelegacyandindicatesthesupportiveenvironmentandprofessionalassistancewhichisavailableinAthlonetohelpsportsmenandwomenachievetheirverybest.

AnattractivesportsscholarshipschemeisalsoonofferinAITforstudentswhohavereached,orhavethepotentialtoreach,averyhighstandardofperformanceintheirchosensport.

Underthescheme,approximately30fullandhalfscholarshipsareawardedeachyear,uptothevalueof€4,800overfouryears.The2009/10scholarshiprecipientsincludedPaulHarte(BuccaneersRFCAILDivision1&IrishColleges),RayGalligan(Cavanseniorfootballer),NeilHarney(StPatrick’sAthleticandformerIrishschoolsplayer),GaryConnaughton(formerAll-StarandWestmeathseniorfootballer),andAislingEgan(IrishcollegessoccerandBealnamullaFC).

For further information about sporting opportunities at AIT contact the Sports Office on tel 090 644 2565 or by email to [email protected].

Ensuring Winning WaysGordonBrett,SportsandRecreationManager,reflectsonpositivesportingtimesforAITteams

Champions of the Irish Rugby Colleges Union Division 1 2010


AIT Life Vol 3 No 1

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Transcript of AIT Life Vol 3 No 1