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Life
Volume 3 | Number 1 | January 2011
AIT – FORTY YEARS A GROWIN’ A look back at the significant events in AIT’s history over the past four decades
AN ARTS DEGREE FOR THE MODERN ERA Fifty years since Athlone was at the centre of a literary storm, a new arts degree combines our creative heritage with our communications future
BREAKTHROUGH IN BATTLE AGAINST MRSA Research into the use of novel pulsed light technology in the fight against hospital infections is showing positive results
NEW INDOOR SPORTING ARENA AIT’s new indoor sports arena represents a major investment in the educational and sporting infrastructure of the region
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AITLife
Volume 3 Number 1
Table of Contents AITLife Volume 3 Number 1
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Welcome from the President of AIT
AITLife Athlone Institute of Technology Dublin Road Athlone Co Westmeath Tel + 353 (0)90 646 8000 Web www.ait.ie
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AIT – Forty Years a Growin’
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An Arts Degree for the Modern Era
Editor Brian Lynch Tel + 353 (0)90 644 2595 Email brianlynch@ait.ie Cover photograph Students walking in the link corridor towards the Business School
15 AIT Selects Team to Participate in Newstalk Student Enterprise Competition 16 Focus on Alumni
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New Degree in Tourism and Guest Services Management
18 AIT Amongst Top Performing Colleges for Innovation Partnerships
Smart Thinking in Tourism
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Engineers Ireland Accredits Civil Engineering Honours Degree
19 Learning the Business of Sport
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Novel Means of Delivery of Drugs Being Investigated at AIT
10 AIT Relaunches its Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences 11 New Application to Reduce Infection in Health Care Settings Tested at AIT 12 Inside the Art Collection
Knot a Problem!
Partnership between AIT and Allianz Worldwide Care
20 Experience of Third-Level Students with Disability Published in Report 21 Exploring what China has to Offer 22 New Indoor Sporting Arena: A Major Investment for AIT 23 Ensuring Winning Ways
14 AIT Recognises Excellence in Business among Junior Certificate Students
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Welcome from the President Recent 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.
Anyone who has visited our campus over the past couple of years will have been struck by the changing nature of the student population. Firstly, there are more students here than at any time in the past. Secondly, the student population is much more diverse than has ever been the case. Over 20 per cent of our students is classified as mature, and these ‘returned’ learners bring with them an experience of the workplace that is to the benefit of all. The third change is in relation to the growing population of international students at AIT. This number has been increasing steadily since 2000, and now accounts for some 400 learners drawn from the four corners of the globe. In tandem with this, we are offering an increasing number of opportunities for our Irish students to study at one of our international partner colleges. As always, each spring brings with it the pressure of college and course choices. These are not easy decisions to make and it is understandable that prospective students and their parents/families, guidance counsellors and all education professionals, want to do all that is possible to make sure that the ‘right’ decisions are made. For this reason, we have focused in the current issue of AIT Life on some our new and innovative degree programmes. These represent just a handful of the courses that are on offer through the CAO, but I hope that they give you a flavour of what these particular programmes entail. There is obviously much else here besides, including a look back at four decades of AIT in the Midlands, information about some of our research activity, an update on what a number of our graduates are doing, and a look ahead to the new indoor sports arena.
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President of AIT, Prof. Ciarán Ó Catháin pictured with the Governor of TVTC, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr Ali Al-Ghafis
Finally, in this our fortieth year, I would like to express my personal gratitude to all those who have supported the institute since our foundation. Countless thousands have passed through these halls, each contributing in their own way to making AIT a success story of Irish higher education. Let us continue to make history, conscious of the lasting impact of the work that we do. Beir bua.
Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin
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Volume 3 Number 1
AIT – Forty Years a Growin’ Dr Harman Murtagh, visiting fellow and retired law lecturer, retraces in brief the history of Athlone Institute of Technology
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thlone Institute of Technology began life in 1970 as a regional technical college. It was the first to open of a dozen such institutions established by the government to ‘fill gaps in the industrial manpower structure, particularly in the technician area’. Initially the college was under the management of the County Westmeath Vocational Educational Committee, but with its own management board. The founding director, Dr David Fenton, brought great drive and enthusiasm to his task and laid down firm and enduring quality standards, not least in the maintenance and presentation of buildings and grounds. Additional enhancement was provided by the establishment of an art collection in 1975. In the first decade student numbers grew slowly, but in the 1980s, with the introduction of financial support from the European Social Fund and increased awareness of the value of third-level education as preparation for a worthwhile career, there was a dramatic and sustained increase in enrolment, bringing the current student body to more than 6,000. Staff numbers at all levels also increased from an initial handful to a current total of almost 700.
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At the outset the work of the college was divided between three departments, tasked with the provision of a suite of certificate and diploma programmes in the disciplines of business, engineering and science. The structure and content of programmes was developed in close consultation with industry and professional bodies. Each programme was then validated by an expert panel, appointed by the National Council for Educational Awards, the body that also appointed external examiners and conferred qualifications.
Revised Structures As the college grew and matured, these early arrangements were gradually replaced by revised structures. VEC control ended in 1993, when the college became an autonomous institution. Administration was strengthened by the creation of the offices of registrar, financial controller and head of development. Programmes were revised and laboratories equipped to take full account of the information technology revolution. While the commitment to technical and technological education was retained, the college in many areas had advanced well beyond the provision of technicians. Primary degree programmes were introduced at ordinary
and honours levels and were soon widely available. These laid the foundation for awards at master’s and doctoral levels, as research activity grew, most notably (but not exclusively) in bioscience, materials and software engineering.
Name Change In 1998 these developments were recognised by a name change to Athlone Institute of Technology. In 2004 the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, which had superseded NCEA in 1999, delegated to AIT the power to confer its own HETAC-accredited, primary degree awards. The growth in student numbers and the proliferation of programmes necessitated the re-designation of the three original departments as schools, each subdivided into a number of departments. A new School of Humanities was added in 2001. Growth and increased specialisation necessitated considerable remodeling and enlargement of the original 1970 campus, and the provision of new purpose-built buildings for sport and recreation (1991), hospitality studies (2003), nursing and healthcare (2005) and engineering and informatics (2010). Sports facilities were enhanced by the development of football pitches, a fitness suite and
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the addition in 2008 of a high-quality athletics arena that immediately became the venue for the national finals of the HSE Community Games. Institute teams have enjoyed many successes. Student services were put in place or improved, including library, IT, dining, chaplaincy, counselling, catering, health, disability support, peer mentoring and careers. A social centre was built. The institute was again fortunate in its second director, now president, Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin. An acknowledged expert on the management of change, he brought both energy and adeptness to the institute’s never-ending engagement with the processes of renewal, modernisation and development. One of his most successful initiatives has been to increase the enrolment of overseas students, especially Chinese, who now approach ten per cent of the full-time student cohort.
Regional Role AIT has always emphasized its regional obligations. The achievement of famous midlanders, such as the
Group of catering supervisors, 1975
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scholars of Clonmacnois, Oliver Goldsmith, the 3rd Earl of Rosse, Douglas Hyde and John Count McCormack is acknowledged on the campus. The presence of the institute is a significant engine of economic growth in the region and a stimulus to investment. Approximately half its full-time student
cohort comes from the midlands. The institute also provides a range of parttime adult and continuing education programmes, evening and daytime, to facilitate students who are at work. The demand for these programmes has continued to grow, reflecting a greater awareness of the value of lifelong learning. In 2005 a dedicated facility for collaborating with high-potential, start-up businesses was opened on campus, making available the resources and expertise of the institute to support client companies. In numerous ways, staff and graduates have contributed enormously to the economic, social and cultural life of the region and participated in its contribution to national, and indeed international, life.
Dates for the Diary 11 February 2011 Fortieth anniversary black tie dinner
29 March 2011 Distinguished fellowship conferral ceremony
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Volume 3 Number 1
An Arts Degree for the Modern Era Dr Marian Fitzgibbon Head of School of Humanities
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t will be 50 years in 2011 since Athlone was thrown into the literary spotlight with the publication of John Broderick’s The Pilgrimage which was banned by the Censorship Board. Broderick is just one of a number of artists whose works will feature in the new BA (Hons) in Society and Communications, to commence in AIT in September 2011. The Midlands has not figured in the literary or artistic pantheon in the same way as the West of Ireland, but AIT is determined that the graduates of this innovative new BA programme will be conversant with the writers, filmmakers and artists who have shaped their own area, from Goldsmith in the 18th century to the new talents of artists like Ken Wardrop, director of the highly acclaimed His & Hers. This appreciation will help to inculcate confidence, pride and a sense of community in the Midlands heritage, elements which have long been lacking in the less favoured Border, Midlands and West (BMW) region and which are regarded as fundamental to innovation, social and economic revival.
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Unique as an Arts Degree The BA in Society and Communications can claim to be unique as an arts degree in that as well as covering many of the traditional strengths of broad-based courses aimed at the development of graduates with strong transferable skills, those accepted on the course will also benefit from the practical orientation more commonly associated with the education provided by institutes of technology. Graduates will be highly polished in all aspects of communication, expert in the use of the new social media, trained in problem solving and team work, exposed to the psychology of interpersonal relations and especially, grounded through practical experience of the workplace by virtue of an extensive placement element in the third year of the programme. They will also benefit from the highly favourable staff-student ratio of the IoT sector and will thus be less likely to suffer the fate of many university arts students who can lose their way in overly large class groups.
Employers have highly commended the skill set provided by this BA saying that it will improve the quality of new entrants to the workforce and will provide them with smart, adaptable, cultured and socially adept people who will be an asset in any number of roles. The skill set also corresponds strongly with those recently projected by ForfĂĄs and other state agencies as vital to economic recovery. Surf directly to the web page for this degree using the QR code below
> AL055 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Society and Communications
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NEW DEGREE IN TOURISM AND GUEST SERVICES MANAGEMENT Successive reports have pointed to the importance of management training in the tourism industry in Ireland. AIT has a very important role to play in the education and training of future managers for the tourism and hospitality industry in the Midlands and further afield. The Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Studies is introducing a new three-year BA in Tourism and Guest Services Management, which will commence in September 2011. This programme builds on key strengths of the department where expertise and strong synergies in tourism/hospitality, sport, recreation and leisure, have been developed over the years. The department already offers a number of niche programmes in spa management and in hotel and leisure management. Additionally, it meets the needs of local industry by providing a number of day-release initiatives. Coupled with this, the department has strong links with industry through its extensive programme of placements. The Bachelor of Arts in Tourism and Guest Services Management (Level 7) will give students the knowledge, skills and competencies necessary for employment in management and/or support positions in the front office, hospitality and tourism industry. It also opens up opportunities for further academic study in this or related areas. This programme provides a modern, academically rigorous and industry relevant educational experience. The scope of the programme covers customer service, operations, and management of tourism resources, enterprises and/ or resorts in a modern dynamic business environment. This new course is creative and has taken cognisance of developments in the industry, education and student diversity. Surf directly to the web page for this degree using the QR code below
SMART THINKING IN TOURISM On 15 June, AIT will host the annual Tourism Hospitality Research in Ireland Conference (THRIC). The theme of the conference this year is ‘Smart thinking in tourism’. The conference will explore a variety of sub-themes, including business management, SMTEs including familyrun tourism and hospitality businesses, e-tourism, tourism partnerships and networking, the new tourism consumer and destination brand management and tourism marketing. The keynote speaker is Melanie Smith, Associate Professor at Corvinus University, Budapest. Her address will focus on the development of more creative and experiential forms of tourism, with an emphasis on niche forms of tourism.
> AL045 Bachelor of Arts in Tourism and Guest Services Management
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thric.ait@gmail.com
#thric.ait
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Volume 3 Number 1
Engineers Ireland Accredits Civil Engineering Honours Degree
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ducation in civil engineering received a timely boost with the news that AIT’s Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil Engineering programme has received full accreditation from Engineers Ireland. This recognition from the professional body deems successful graduates from the course to have achieved the educational requirement necessary for the title ‘Chartered Engineer’ and is a significant milestone in the delivery of civil engineering education in the midlands region. The granting of the accreditation is for a fiveyear term and will also apply retrospectively to graduates from the course since 2008. The BEng (Honours) in Civil Engineering degree
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was developed in 2006 as a two-year add-on to the existing level 7 programmes offered by the Department of Civil, Construction & Mineral Engineering. Notwithstanding the wellpublicised current downturn in construction and related professions, this particular course is going against national trends in increasing its student numbers year on year. From seven students in 2006, there are currently 33 students enrolled full-time on the programme.
International Recognition This recognition from Engineers Ireland is particularly important to graduates in times of increasing competition for jobs in Ireland. Moreover, this offers international recognition worldwide through the Washington
Accord – a major international agreement covering mutual recognition of third level engineering qualifications – and thus offers greater employment potential to graduates.
New Faculty Building The announcement of the achievement of accreditation from Engineers Ireland comes hot on the heels of the move by the School of Engineering to a brand new state-of-theart 10,500sq. m. dedicated faculty building. The lecturing and laboratory facilities offered in this new home for engineering are among the finest in the country and facilitate world class teaching and research, a fact acknowledged by the visiting panel from Engineers Ireland. Welcoming the announcement, Austin
Hanley, Head of School of Engineering, commented: ‘This is a proud day for not only the Department of Civil, Construction and Mineral Engineering, but for the School of Engineering and the institute as a whole. It puts the programme on a par with universities and ensures worldwide professional recognition. It will provide our gradates with even more confidence that their qualifications will be recognised by employers both at home and abroad. Particular thanks is due to the programme leader, Dr Paul Archbold and all the staff involved in the development and delivery of this programme.’ The Department of Civil, Construction and Mineral Engineering has developed considerably in recent years
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and currently offers programmes in civil engineering and construction-related disciplines at all levels, from higher certificate up to Master’s and PhD.
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NOVEL MEANS OF DELIVERY OF DRUGS BEING INVESTIGATED AT AIT
Fergal Sweeney, Head of Department, hopes that the announcement will encourage prospective students to consider civil engineering and construction programmes when deciding on their college options despite recent negative coverage of the industry. He said: ‘Civil engineers and construction professionals will always be required in order to design, construct and manage infrastructural developments, which are necessary in any functioning society. A qualification in civil engineering or construction management can prepare graduates for successful careers within the industry or in other chosen fields. Further, highly qualified professionals will contribute substantially to the government’s feted knowledge economy through direct industry involvement and through carrying out cutting edge research. Here at AIT, we can offer internationally recognised taught programmes at all levels and are well-positioned to build on our current status as one of the prime research institutes in the civil engineering domain.’
Surf directly to the web page for this degree using the QR code below
> Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil Engineering
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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 Research at AIT into novel means of delivery of drugs has the potential to make treatment of patients more effective and reduce unpleasant side effects. Principal investigator Dr Michael Nugent is currently leading a collaborative research project between AIT and Freund Pharmatec to develop a commercially viable drug release system. The project is part-funded by Enterprise Ireland. According to Dr Nugent: ‘The smart economy needs smart materials; AIT’s technology can be defined as smart in the sense that it reacts in a distinctive manner to diverse situations. In much the same way as plants open and close their leaves with changing light conditions, we can manipulate our materials’ behaviour in different parts of the body. This has applications in terms of drug delivery technology and builds on the know-how and expertise present in both AIT and Freund Pharmatec.’
Dr Nugent explained: ‘If a person is suffering from a medical condition and the doctor prescribes drugs, this drug will be a higher concentration than required because the body will break down the drug before it reaches its target. Targeted drug delivery means that the drug concentration can be at lower levels and the treatment can be more effective. Lower concentrations of drugs means a reduction in unpleasant side effects.’ Freund Corporation is the leading pharmaceutical equipment supplier in Japan, employing over 300 people in Japan and the US. Freund Pharmatec opened its new European hub in Tullamore, Co Offaly in 2010, with the creation of 25 high quality jobs. The primary focus of the jobs created in Tullamore is in new drug delivery technologies and clinical trial manufacturing, as well as a number of positions in marketing/sales of pharmaceutical equipment and excipients.
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AIT Relaunches its Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences James Roche Lecturer, Department of Life and Physical Science
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he PharmaChem industry is undoubtedly Ireland’s most valuable and stable industrial sector. It had exports of €42 billion in 2009 and employed more than 25,000 directly, with a similar number in support roles. With eight of the top ten global PharmaChem companies located here, the industry has an ongoing demand for graduates, frequently offering starting salaries of c€28,000. Based on the increasing demand for graduates who are qualified in pharmacology, biological sciences and chemistry, Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) has revamped its honours degree in pharmaceutical sciences. The BSc (Honours) in Pharmaceutical Sciences will now: • Feature novel student-centred teaching approaches • Integrate teaching with the research activity of AIT and industry researchers • Utilise new state-of-the-art laboratory facilities • Comprehensively impart all aspects of product development activities • Impart hands-on, life-long skill sets in synthesis, formulation and analysis of all pharmaceutical ingredients
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• Uncover the challenges faced daily by industry scientists and present solutions, as well as methodologies to apply the optimal experimental designs to address such challenges • Accept applications from holders of appropriate Level 6 and Level 7 awards for entry to year 3 and year 4 as appropriate
Learn answers to fundamental questions such as: • Why are some drugs addictive and others create no such dependency? • How are drugs named? • What does strength or potency mean? • How is aspirin made? • How is it made into a tablet or other dosage form? • How does aspirin differ from ibuprofen or paracetamol? • How does aspirin know where to go after the patient swallows it? • If I take aspirin for a headache or my Gran takes it for rheumatism in her leg does the painful place call it to its site? • How is it tested and certified for safety? • Why are some other therapies so expensive?
A Case Study Would Aspirin Pass Muster Today? In an early expression of ethnopharmacology, 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.
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AIT’s BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Sciences will comprehensively equip graduates from the course with the technicial, analytical and supervisory skills required to meet the challanges to the Irish multinational and SME pharmaceutical sector over the coming decade and beyond. This course is unique in providing an integrated platform for the study of the preparation and fate of drugs in the body.
What Career Paths are Open for Graduates of Pharmaceutical Sciences? Previous graduates are currently conducting PhD and MSc research in: • Pharmacognosy • Forensic anthropology • Formulation development • Pharmaceutical analysis
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New Application to Reduce Infection in Health Care Settings Tested at AIT A collaborative research team from Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) and National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) have tested a pulsed light approach that could disinfect and sterilise medical instruments, devices and surfaces. This is the first time such a technology has been applied in a healthcare setting. It is particularly effective at killing MRSA strains.
They are also in full-time employment as: • Synthetic chemists • Active pharmaceutical ingredient characterisation • Preformulation screening • Chromatographic scientists • Toxicology and bioanalytical specialists
Researchers tested the response of a variety of germs, including MRSA, to the pulsed power technology under fixed conditions in a lab. This provided a good baseline against which they could test how the germs responded to pulsed light under different physical, chemical and biological conditions. There was a rapid and repeated reduction of all germs on contact surfaces and in the air in comparison to conventional disinfection methods. The team went on to discover that once treated with the pulsed power germs were not able to infect human cell lines. This technique has major potential as a method of sterilisation and disinfection in hospital settings. According to Dr Rowan: ‘It could help to prevent infection which would impact positively on patient outcomes and reduce costs associated with the consequences of treating infection.’
Surf directly to the web page for this degree using the QR code below
> AL053 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Pharmaceutical Sciences
According to the director of the biomedical and health science research group, Dr Neil Rowan, “The growing prevalence of hospitalacquired infections increases the need to examine new approaches to sterilise and disinfect. While pulsed light has been used before as a means of decontaminating food, packaging, air and water, it was never applied in the health care setting. This is a significant development and a major public health research project.” Pulsed-power technologies are a new approach to targeted delivery of energy. They can use that energy as a light or gas in order to kill germs.
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The research project is funded by the Health Research Board and is profiled in the current issue of Picture of Health 2010, which has just been published and can be accessed at www.hrb.ie.
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ith over 170 works by modern Irish artists, Athlone Institute of Technology has the largest art collection of any institute of technology in the country. Established in 1975, the collection has been generously supported by the Arts Council’s joint-purchase scheme, the government’s per-cent-for-art programme, and private and corporate donors, including AIT Students’ Union.
The stark, modernist interiors of the institute’s main buildings offer an ideal hanging space that is particularly hospitable to contemporary art. The collection is methodically integrated into the institute’s bustling and crowded environment, offering colour and visual stimulation to the most casual
observer, while posing – at every turn – intellectual, aesthetic and sensual challenges to those who choose to look more closely. Amongst the largest and most striking works are the external sculptures: Eileen McDonagh’s limestone Allegory and John Behan’s totemic metal Fish. Major interior works, commissioned through open competition, include Douglas Mooney’s lightresponsive glass and steel sculpture Dichroic planes, James Hayes’ threepart hanging sculpture Sierpinski’s growth in the new Engineering and Informatics Building and Alice Maher’s Landmark, a giant golden axe buried in the wall of the Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Studies Building.
Inside the Art C Dr Harman Murtagh, visiting fellow and collection
Painters represented include Barry Cooke, with a somber and introspective Sleeping figure, Martin Gale with three iconic oils, The artichoke window, Outback and a rare interior, Armchair traveller, and the technically accomplished Carey Clarke, with the atmospheric and beautiful June morning Bourgougnague Lot-etGaronne. Louis le Brocquy, now in his ninety-fifth year, is represented by essential images of our greatest writers – his ‘head’ series - including Joyce, Synge, Yeats and Beckett. Urban landscapes are provided by such works as John Doherty’s brilliantly crisp Angles, Donal Teskey’s multifaceted and expressionist Polling day and Bernadette Madden’s delicately coloured batik, Lower Baggot Street. Other important artists represented include George Campbell, Robert Ballagh, Constance Short (whose work here incorporates a poem handwritten by its author, Paul Durcan), Mick O’Dea
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e Art Collection
ing fellow and curator of the art
(whose portrait of Micheal Ó Siadhail also incorporates a poem by the sitter), William Crozier, Colin Middleton, Charles Harper, Jane O’Malley, Patrick Harris, Jaqueline Stanley, Paul Funge, Felim Egan, James Hanley, the explosively gifted Michael Mulcahy and the brilliant printmaker, the late Mary Farl Powers. What enlivens this by-no-means exhaustive list is the opportunity to see work by rarely seen painters such as Rosaleen Davey – the pastel called Maternity is a fine example of her metaphysical style. There is also a large print called Cumulus by Brendan Neiland, former Keeper of the Royal Academy in London. Up and coming artists include Paul Doran, Mark O’Kelly and Corban Walker.
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A revised edition of The Modern Irish Art Collection, a catalogue of AIT’s art collection, edited by Dr Harman Murtagh and Kate Bateman will be published in February 2011.
Amongst the pictures on loan from Luke Whitington is a large Construction by Neil Gall, recently re-hung in the new Engineering Building. Local professional artists are also represented in the collection: Michael Casey, Anna Marie Leavy, Margo McNulty, Sheila Hough, Anne Rigney and Maree Bannon.
Image credits: Centre: Outback by Martin Gale Top left: Poppies II by William Crozier Bottom left: Aphrodite figure by Yannis Soutvatzogolou Top right: Untitled by Paul Doran
Recent additions to the collection include Pauline Bewick’s sensual Visual translation of Brian Merriman’s The Midnight Court, Yannis Soutvatzogolou’s sculpture Aphrodite figure donated in memory of Caoimhe Feerick-Ryan, a student who died tragically in a motor accident, and six works by Sean Fingleton, formerly on loan to IMMA, and now generously lent to AIT by Mr Whitington.
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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, Christopher Chong, Niamh Campbell, Sorcha Mc Manus, Caoilainn Scouler, Claire Connaughton, Eileen Donohoe (Principal), David Keane, Rebecca Wilson, Kellie Sheriff Front Row: Luke Fannon, Azeez Adagun, Shane Lennon, Fiachra Lennon, Niamh Watson, Mairead Mulry, Aoife Coyle, Aine Brennan, Caroline Dowling, Conal Sheeran, Brian Murphy, Rory O Sullivan, Eoin Langan
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hree year ago, AIT’s Business School introduced the Junior Certificate Awards, an initiative that recognises academic excellence in Junior Certificate examinations for second level students. Students who received an A grade in the Business Studies (Higher) subject in the Junior Certificate are recognised at a special awards ceremony hosted by the institute. In the first year, 25 schools and 118 students, together with their parents, business studies teachers and school principals attended the awards ceremony and were presented with a scroll/ certificate of achievement. In 2010, that number had risen to 40 participating
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schools with 194 students. The occasion has been very successful with positive feedback for all involved. Guest speaker at the 2010 ceremony was Brenda Shanahan, winner of the first series of The Apprentice on TV3. Drawing on her business experience, Brenda spoke about the importance of motivation and taking the initiative in order to be successful. Originally from Portumna, Co Galway, she studied front office management in AIT in the early nineties, before entering the world of employment with a Galway hotel. Having won the popular business skills competition in 2008, Brenda is now Chief Operations Director with Bill Cullen’s Glencullen Group.
At the ceremony, Head of the Department of Business Studies, Peter Melinn, said that: ‘In congratulating the award recipients, AIT also wishes to acknowledge the part played in their success by parents and guardians, other family members and the teachers who guided their learning and helped to motivate the students towards their achievement in the business studies exam.’ He hoped the excellent result which the students gained in the Junior Certificate would ‘inspire them to continue to do their best and fulfil their potential in the years ahead’. The President of the Business Studies Teachers Association of Ireland, Mary O’Sullivan, also
commended the students on their achievements. She spoke about the value and importance of studying business at second level and how it offered the potential for exciting and rewarding careers. According to Edel Daly, a student at Moate Community College: ‘I was very happy to receive the Junior Cert Business Studies Award from AIT, as I have an interest in the subject, and am considering a career in business when I finish school. On the night of the awards, guest speaker Brenda Shanahan talked of her own experiences and the hard work needed to be successful. I also found out about the facilities and courses AIT has to offer.’
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AIT SELECTS TEAM TO PARTICIPATE IN NEWSTALK STUDENT ENTERPRISE COMPETITION
Students from St Mel’s, Longford Back row: Damien Cunningham (Principal), Mark Neville, Dermot Brady, Hugh Farrell, Matt Hynes (Business Studies Teacher), Eoin Langan Front row: Stephen Mc Loughlin, Brenda Shanahan and Daniel Sullivan
The full listing of schools who participated in 2010 is: Cavan: Bailieborough Community College; Royal School, Cavan; and Loreto College, Cavan. Galway: Árdscoil Mhuire, Ballinasloe; Gort Community School; Holy Rosary College, Mountbellew; Mercy College, Woodford; Portumna Community School; Presentation College, Athenry; Presentation College, Tuam; St Brigid’s Vocational School, Loughrea; St Brigid’s, Convent of Mercy, Tuam; St Jarlath’s College, Tuam and St Killian’s, New Inn, Ballinasloe. Longford: Cnoc Mhuire Secondary School, Granard; Lanesboro Community College; Meánscoil Mhuire, Longford; and St Mel’s College, Longford. Offaly: Árd Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, Clara; Banagher College/Coláiste na Sionna; Coláiste Naomh Cormac, Kilcormac; Gallen Community School, Ferbane; Killina Presentation Secondary School, Rahan; Sacred Heart School, Tullamore; and St Brendan’s Community School, Birr.
Following the local final of the Newstalk Student Enterprise Competition at AIT, a team of students has been chosen to represent the institute at the national semi-final of the competition in February. The students that make up the winning team are Nikita Dementiev, Ellen Rodekuhr, Inken Rodekuhr and Ardan Hennessy. The four students are all undertaking the Bachelor of Business (Honours) degree. Nikita and Ardan had both attended secondary school at St Finian’s, Mullingar, while twins Ellen and Inken attended Cnoc Mhuire Secondary School in Granard. Now in its fifth year, the competition is designed to develop an understanding of business management and promote early-stage entrepreneurship among third level students. Using a case study format, the competition encourages participants to research companies and, as part of a team, devise solutions to real life business scenarios. During the local final, each team received the same case study for which they had to develop a solution. The team then had to give a 30 minute presentation on their solutions to a panel of judges. The judging panel was comprised of local business people, as well as representatives from AIT’s Business School The overall prize for the winning team and its team coach is a study trip to the Caribbean where they will shadow senior executives in leading telecommunications company, Digicel Group.
Roscommon: Abbey Community College, Boyle; Castlerea Community School; CBS, Roscommon; Convent of Mercy, Roscommon and Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown. Westmeath: Athlone Community College; Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar; Loreto College, Mullingar; Marist College, Athlone; Moate Community School; Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone; St Aloysius College, Athlone; St Joseph’s College, Summerhill; St Joseph’s Secondary School, Rochfortbridge; and Wilson’s Hospital School, Multyfarnham.
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Nikita Dementiev, Ellen Rodekuhr, Inken Rodekuhr and Ardan Hennessy
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Focus on ... AIT alumni are entitled to free and automatic membership of the alumni association and are also able to apply for a dedicated AIT credit card and discounted health insurance.
... Alumni www.facebook.com/aitalumniassociation
CHRIS MOLLOY Culinary Arts
From his childhood days, Banagher’s Chris Molloy was passionate about cooking. Having served an early apprenticeship helping his mother to bake scones, when it came to making a choice about where to attend college, AIT was top of the list. He studied the three-year culinary arts course, from which he graduated in 2004 with distinction and won the student of the year award. That passion and drive has served Chris well, as he has now risen to the role of head chef at The Punchbowl in Mayfair, London, the
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celebrity restaurant owned by film director Guy Ritchie. Having won the National Skills Competition, as a student, Chris’ first job after graduating was in The Wineport restaurant in Glasson, Westmeath. Next up was Derry Clarke’s Michelin star restaurant in Dublin, L’Ecrivain; after which he moved to London and worked for Gordon Ramsey, at just the age of 23. He then took a job in Maze, another Michelin restaurant, and also worked at Arsenal FC’s Diamond Club. Throughout these stints, Chris was building a reputation as a top-class chef, so it was little surprise, when a restaurant of the calibre of The Punchbowl wanted him to head their kitchens. Chris’ long-term ambition is to open up his own restaurant, while he says that he wouldn’t refuse the chance to do his own TV show.
ALAN REYNOLDS
Accounting and Finance
Alan Reynolds graduated with an honours degree in accounting and finance from AIT. After taking a break from studying for a number of years, he decided to pursue the ACCA qualification. He outlines his career and what having an accounting qualification has meant: ‘I commenced my career in a small to medium sized practice, and having spent a year there, decided I would prefer to pursue a career in the financial services industry. I spent three years with a leading South
African asset management company, working in both their Dublin and Cape Town offices which gave me superb experience in terms of fund administration and accounting operations. ‘At that stage of my career, I decided I wanted to concentrate solely on financial reporting. I then joined J.P. Morgan Bank Ireland as a financial reporting associate and have been promoted in successive years to my current position of assistant manager in the financial and regulatory reporting team. Working with J.P. Morgan, in a financial reporting team with vast industry and technical knowledge, I have gained excellent experience across an array of international clients, legal structures and accounting conventions, engaging with our many stakeholders in delivering a best in class service to our clients.’
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KELSEY McEVOY
DAVID BRAY
MAEVE BERRY
Kelsey McEvoy, a graduate of the BSc in Veterinary Nursing and the BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Studies at AIT was successful in the Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology (IRCSET) ‘Embark Initiative’ Postgraduate Scholarship scheme 2010.
Civil engineering graduate and Meath man, David Bray, was one of those involved in the building of the M3 motorway through his native county. The inter-county footballer says he was just one member of a big group of engineers, surveyors, technicians and trades people involved in one of the largest infrastructure projects in Ireland.
According to public relations professional, Maeve Berry, she ‘loved’ her three years in AIT. ‘It gave me great grounding for life – the campus was fantastic and student accommodation the most superior to any other colleges that I had visited. A cliché, but I made friends for life, and the clubs and societies were so proactive that it made integration into student life – for someone that didn’t know anyone when first attending – very easy.
Veterinary Nursing
Kelsey is currently undertaking doctoral research into how to stop a particular bacteria (Cronobacter malonaticus) from causing disease, under the supervision of Dr Damien Brady, Dept of Life and Physical Science at AIT. This bacteria is most often found in powdered milk formulas used to feed infants and causes very serious problems such as meningitis, and infection can cause death. The bacteria works by infecting cells in the intestines and then travels to the brain or other parts of the body. Kelsey is researching how to find a way of stopping the bacteria from invading the intestinal cells, cutting it off before it can even begin to cause disease. Kelsey, who is from Athy, Co Kildare, graduated with a first class honours degree, BSc in Veterinary Nursing, and received the best student award, a prize sponsored by Bayer. IRCSET’s ‘Embark Initiative’ supports basic research in the broad areas of science, engineering and technology.
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Civil Engineering
One of the more satisfying aspects of a road engineer’s job, he says, is seeing how something can be transformed from a plan on paper to the finished article. David is employed by Roadstone, the company charged with putting the finished tar surface on the M3 from Dunshaughlin as far as Clonee, including numerous side roads and roundabouts. According to David, ‘There are three or four technicians who work with me and, basically, we give the lads the levels, they’ll come behind us and bring it up with each layer of tar,.’ Before coming to work for Roadstone four years ago, David worked for Meath County Council. Never one who envisaged working in an office, David enjoys working outdoors, playing his part in overcoming various logistical problems posed by such a challenging venture.
Business and Languages
‘Not knowing what path to follow after I finished my diploma, it was one of my lecturers in AIT who introduced me to the world of public relations. As our classes were smaller, it allowed lecturers to really get to know students’ strengths and weaknesses. Studying under her in the marketing stream of the course, she recognised that my forte was in marketing and more specifically PR (a term or career I had never heard of!). ‘It was then the career guidance department of the college that guided me on my academic path to eventually completing a Master’s in public relations and now, six years after leaving AIT, I run a successful PR company which services clients all over Ireland.’
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KNOT A PROBLEM!
The majority of enquiries to AIT’s Midlands Innovation and Research Centre (MIRC) come from entrepreneurs and companies looking to undertake collaborative research.
Innovation News AIT AMONGST TOP PERFORMING COLLEGES FOR INNOVATION PARTNERSHIPS AIT has been named in the top three institutes of technology participating in the Innovation Partnership Programme (IPP) from 2007 to 2010. Details released by Enterprise Ireland show that AIT came in joint second place with DIT, have completed nine projects over the past four years. WIT topped the institute of technology ranking with 14 projects completed over the period. According to Breda Lynch, Industry Programmes Manager in AIT’s Office of Research: ‘This is an impressive performance in difficult economic times given that the programme is part-funded by the collaborating companies. It reflects the confidence the participating companies have in the applied nature of the work by the research community at AIT.’ AIT’s President, Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin, said that: ‘The institute is
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committed to undertaking research that delivers genuine benefits for industry partners and the State. AIT has a long track record in R&D collaborations and this partnership approach continues to deliver benefits in these challenging times.’ Three innovation partnerships were undertaken in Athlone in 2010 up from one in 2009 and two in 2008. Three IPPs were also undertaken in 2007. The Innovation Partnership Programme encourages Irish-based companies to work with Irish third level colleges to access their expertise and resources to develop new and improved products, processes, services, and generate new knowledge and know-how. Enterprise Ireland provides grants of up to 80 per cent towards eligible costs of the research project.
However, a group of Transition Year students from St Wolstans Community School, Celbridge brought their business idea to Athlone, when they contacted the MIRC about a proposal for a device that would detangle tight knots. According to the students, the penknife shaped device would open knots in items such as shoelaces, necklaces and earphone wires. When the students visited Athlone in November, they met with MIRC manager, Michael Lonergan, as well as with Ann-Marie Durkan (founder of Shasta), Dr James Kennedy and Conor Hayes from the Materials Research Institute at AIT. James and Conor discussed the students’ design with them and proposed ways of improving it. The students also got to see some of the high-tech machines used in the institute for prototyping. After the meeting, the students realised that a design change was necessary as the original proposal was too complex and would cost too much. In collaboration with Conor, the group decided on a new design and Conor proceeded to make a prototype. The final device features one pointed end and one hooked end and is attached to a key-ring. So, ‘Knot a Problem’, remember where you heard of it first!
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LEARNING THE BUSINESS OF SPORT A group of 19 students are currently completing their first semester on a new Certificate in Sports Administration for camogie administrators at AIT. The ten-week course introduces participants, who are drawn from club and county administrative positions in the Camogie Association, to the principles and practices of administering a sports club with particular reference to assisting the development of the Camogie Association. Course participants are covering a number of topics including an introduction to financial management; ethics and legal issues in sports administration; introduction to training and methods of instruction skills and leadership and management skills. The certificate is a level six single module award on the National Framework of Qualifications. Speaking about the Certificate in Sports Administration, President of the Camogie Association, Joan
O’Flynn, said: ‘Our administrators have identified a need for training to us as an association. This course provides a fantastic opportunity to those intending to improve their existing skills and knowledge in their roles while also receiving a recognised qualification from AIT – one of the country’s leading institutes for sports and related programmes.’ AIT President, Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin, noted that the programme reflected the institute’s commitment to the flexible delivery of higher education. ‘AIT has long recognised
that people need to access third level education in a manner that suits their professional and personal lifestyles. We are offering an increasing number of flexible programmes in Athlone that reflect the needs of learners and organisations.’ Course participant, Belinda Dooley from Padraig Pearse’s Club in Roscommon, added: ‘This course has been absolutely fantastic. It has been a great experience to meet and learn with fellow members of the camogie community from all over the country.’
PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN AIT AND ALLIANZ WORLDWIDE CARE The Department of Business Studies at AIT is to undertake a substantial workplace learning partnership with Alliance Worldwide Care (AWC), Parkwest, Dublin. The Diploma in Leadership programme has been co-developed in response to a request from Allianz Worldwide Care who specialise in providing international health insurance for employees, individuals and their dependants.
support our growing business and to meet future challenges. Conscious of our competency model, it incorporates Allianz Group’s Global Talent Management Strategy and emphasises Performance Management and Development. It reaffirms and enhances our commitment to Excellence Through People Standards. All participants are high potential professionals eager to make a greater impact as a manager.’
The programme will be delivered on-site and on completion participants will receive a Level 8 60 credit Special Purpose Award in Leadership.
Head of the Department of Business Studies at AIT, Peter Melinn added: ‘The Level 8 Special Purpose Award is a professional qualification with a syllabus that comprehensively covers all aspects of the participant’s role and is based around practical experience and reflective practice. We are delighted to work with AWC in this substantial work place learning project.’
Commenting on the programme, Claire Cusack, Head of Human Resources and Training in AWC, said ‘This unique programme enables Allianz Worldwide Care to develop leaders and ensure we have the right people in place to
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Experience of Third-Level Students with Disability Published in Report
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ore than threequarters of college students with a disability or specific learning difficulty use technology to help them with their situation. The finding is contained in a report, Assessment & Support Services for Students with Specific Learning Difficulties, launched recently in the Ascent Regional Assessment & Resource Centre, AIT. The students use a combination of specialised assistive technology (AT), as well as general purpose technology, such as Microsoft Word and Adobe. Twothirds of students use the technology on a daily basis, with three-quarters using the assistive technology most frequently at home. Fifty-nine per cent of learners use the AT least frequently in class. Amongst the assistive technologies used at third level are voice recognition, speech-to-
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text, text-to-speech and mind mapping software. Specialised hardware used in the colleges includes dictaphones, reading pens and talking dictionaries. The Ascent project aims to increase the participation and retention of students with specific learning difficulties at third level. This is achieved through the provision of assessment services and research to inform and support the use of interventions for students. The project partners are the five higher education institutions in the Border, Midland and West (BMW) region: AIT, GMIT, IT Sligo, LyIT and NUIG. Ann Heelan, Executive Director of AHEAD (Association for Higher Education Access and Disability), said: ‘Students with disabilities across the country are doing as well as other students where they get the support. They
are completing the courses at a greater rate; they’re getting as good if not better first and second class honours degrees. This is a really important message for employers who want the best employees. They want the best and students with disabilities can deliver the best. In fact, they often bring a broader way of thinking, more resilience and problem-solving because that has been their life and college experience.’ Patricia Kearney, Disability Liaison Officer at AIT, said that ‘The greater use of inclusive technologies within the teaching environment means that education is now much more accessible for all students. Facilities for students with disabilities and specific learning difficulties are integrated to a much greater extent within mainstream teaching, and this is a positive development.’ The Ascent Regional
Assessment & Resource Centre was established in 2007 under the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF). Since its opening, the partners have collaboratively developed and improved screening, assessment, learning support, examination accommodations, inclusive teaching and learning and assistive technology services for students. The SIF 2-funded REACH project builds upon the earlier work by promoting the progression of students with disabilities and specific learning difficulties to higher education through the transfer of expertise and resources from third level to second level and further education colleges. The project provides teacher training in student needs assessment, and advice and support in the use of assistive technology by students in second level and further education.
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s the third largest country in the world and with a population exceeding 1.3 billion, it is universally agreed that China is a major global player. Over the past ten years, AIT has established a series of strategic partnerships and agreements with some of the country’s leading teaching and research universities.
The Business School is currently assessing interest from students in studying Mandarin as part of their full-time programme of studies at AIT. The Department of Adult and Continuing Education successfully launched a part-time programme in the Chinese language in 2010. There are currently five students from CUEB
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CHINA:
SOME INTERESTING INFORMATION 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.
One of the most recent to be signed was with the Capital University of Economics and Business (CUEB), a state university, located in Beijing, with a current enrolment of some 20,000 students. CUEB offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in economics, management, law, literature, science and engineering. One of the benefits of the new agreement for AIT students is that they can complete a semester or summer programme at CUEB specialising in a number of different areas. The programme options are: the Chinese language, China’s economy and development, Chinese culture and Chinese calligraphy, martial arts and culinary arts.
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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.
Exploring what China has to Offer studying on the Bachelor of International Business at AIT. In June 2010, a delegation from AIT, accompanied by representatives from CUEB met with President McAleese at the Irish Consulate in Shanghai, as part of her state visit to the country. AIT has experienced a significant growth in international student numbers over the past
decade, with some 400 students from overseas currently attending the institute. Since the launch of the government’s Asia strategy in 1999, AIT has been active in developing links with universities in China and has partnerships with higher education institutions in Beijing, Shanghai, Dalian, Nanjing, amongst others.
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.
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New Indoor Sporting Arena: A Major Investment for AIT
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IT’s new indoor sports arena represents a significant investment in the educational and sporting infrastructure of the Midlands. With construction work due to commence in the spring, it is planned that the new facility will open in early 2012, just in time to attract athletes competing in the London Olympics. The 12,000m2 building comprises three distinct areas: a 6-lane athletics arena, a multi-sport arena, and an outdoor stand to serve
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the existing athletics track. In addition, the complex will house changing room facilities, a gymnasium, highperformance training rooms, a recovery suite, medical centre and support rooms. The indoor athletics track and field auditorium comprises a 200m-banked running track, spectator seating for 1,500 persons, as well as an elevated athlete warm-up area with an 80m sprint track. The separate multipurpose indoor sports auditorium will cater for basketball, futsal; as well as
volleyball, badminton and multiple other sports. It too will have spectator seating for 1,500 persons, which can be increased to 3,500 spectators in concert setting. The building will primarily comprise a palette of three high quality materials: Portland concrete panel (similar to Athlone Civic Centre), green copper panel and thermally broken, solar glare-reducing double glazing.
including rainwater harvesting and high degrees of insulation. The main athletics arena is naturally lit to reduce running costs, with lights used rarely. The auditoria are naturally ventilated, and the preferred ambient temperature of a sports centre –16 degrees – facilitates the lowest possible energy use for a building of this type. The building will be fully accessible for persons with disabilities.
The building incorporates all accepted passive and sustainable technology,
Further information can be accessed at www.ait.ie/campus.
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Ensuring Winning Ways Gordon Brett, Sports and Recreation Manager, reflects on positive sporting times for AIT teams
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hen it comes to college sporting facilities, few campuses in Ireland can boast of an infrastructure as fine as is available at AIT. Having invested €2.5 million in an IAAF-approved athletics track and a FIFA 2-star astro-turf pitch in recent years, the institute now has its sights firmly set on upgrading its indoor facilities. That reputation has positioned the institute as the venue of choice for the HSE Community Games National Finals, the Celtic Games, as well as numerous other sporting codes and events. The institute is the current Irish Rugby Colleges Union Division 1 champions and was a semi-finalist in last year’s Sigerson Cup. It is worth pointing out, however, that despite a major focus being placed on the sporting headline-makers, AIT caters for all levels of sporting interest and ability, from the occasional participant to the international competitor. One of our core objectives is to have as many people as possible participating in sporting activity, because the health benefits to individuals and to society in general are incalculable.
Under the scheme, approximately 30 full and half scholarships are awarded each year, up to the value of €4,800 over four years. The 2009/10 scholarship recipients included Paul Harte (Buccaneers RFC AIL Division 1 & Irish Colleges), Ray Galligan (Cavan senior footballer), Neil Harney (St Patrick’s Athletic and former Irish schools player), Gary Connaughton (former All-Star and Westmeath senior footballer), and Aisling Egan (Irish colleges soccer and Bealnamulla FC).
At the elite level, AIT students and graduates are to be found representing their country on the Olympic stage, competing in the Airtricity League, participating in the GAA All-Ireland series, playing for their province in the Heineken Cup and winning the Irish Open. That is an impressive legacy and indicates the supportive environment and professional assistance which is available in Athlone to help sportsmen and women achieve their very best. An attractive sports scholarship scheme is also on offer in AIT for students who have reached, or have the potential to reach, a very high standard of performance in their chosen sport.
For further information about sporting opportunities at AIT contact the Sports Office on tel 090 644 2565 or by email to gbrett@ait.ie.
Champions of the Irish Rugby Colleges Union Division 1 2010
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