ENGINEERING ATU GALWAY-MAYO Unveiling the Future - Architectural Technology Students Host Public Exhibition

One of the highlights of the year in ATU

December.

Ellen, who is from Galway, achieved grades of over 80% in her first year of studies on the Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering programme in Atlantic Technological University (ATU). Civil

Engineering student Ellen won the accolade for her outstanding academic achievement during her first year of study in ATU Galway City. Ellen was delighted to receive the CABE award and is eagerly looking forward to commencing her industrial placement this year. David Courtney congratulated Ellen and complimented her on the award, noting the commitment she had obviously put into her studies and wished her well on her industrial placement and future career.

Lecturer Malcolm Hosty said that Ellen had put exceptional effort and dedication into her studies and achieved remarkable results and thoroughly deserved the recognition that the CABE award brings.

During 2022, ATU Galway City Department of Building and Civil Engineering underwent a detailed accreditation process with CABE and now has 12 fully accredited programmes and awards with CABE including Construction Management, Architectural Technology, Civil Engineering and Quantity Surveying and Building Economics all at both ordinary and honours degree level.

Ashar Zafri is originally from Pakistan and moved to Ireland in 2016. He is a graduate of the Software and Electronic Engineering degree in ATU Galway City campus.

What did you enjoy most about studying at ATU in Galway?

ATU provided me with an excellent academic foundation and a thriving social environment. I have made connections that will last a lifetime.

What would you say to somebody interested in studying this degree?

Joining ATU has been a life-changing experience for me. It has opened countless opportunities within my career.

What career path did you pursue?

After graduating in 2022, I was fortunate enough to secure a job as a Customer Support Engineer for SAP in Galway.

An Architectural Technology Summer School will be held in ATU Galway City campus this June 12th-16th, from 10am-4pm each day. The Summer School will focus on entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation in the context of Architectural Technology. Students will learn about the built environment and the choices we make in relation to design, material choices, sustainability and more. The Summer School is for 14–17-year-olds in full time secondary school education who would like to experience a fun FREE week-long programme on the ATU Galway City campus, Dublin Road, Galway. Students will take part in group work and practical activities, from design understanding and idea generation, sketch design and model making using a variety of materials, 2D and 3D illustration and design. At the end of the week, there will be prizes for the top three teams based on the quality of their technical designs and/or business plans, and the pitching of those ideas to a small panel of judges. For more information check out atu.ie/resourcesforsecondaryschools-galway

HDip in Civil Engineering Accredited as Pathway to Chartered Engineer status

Galway is the annual Architectural Technology Exhibition in May where student projects are on display to the public on ATU Galway City, Dublin Road campus.

Mary Rogers, Head of the Department of Building & Civil Engineering in ATU Galway City, says:

“Our Architectural Technology graduates are more in demand than ever before, both for their detailing and analytical skills as well as their proficiency in Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Computer Aided Drawing (CAD), which are very real, marketable skills.”

ATU's Architectural Technology degree students also gain practical experience through a 13-week industrial placement. The programs are accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) and Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI), promoting a strong work ethic. As a student of Architectural Technology, you will be encouraged to appreciate architectural design concepts and apply technical design principles in building development to meet the project brief, the regulatory requirements and the performance requirements for energy efficiency.

Practical modules are delivered in a studio environment using 2D and 3D modeling for sustainable design solutions. Projects progress in complexity throughout the program, culminating in the research and analysis of existing building adaptation and upgrades. For more information on our Architectural Technology degrees, visit atu.ie/au637 (Level 8) and atu.ie/au537 (Level 7)

Engineering Lecturer Honoured with UK Award for work on Digital Open Badges

Students studying Software and Electronic Engineering organised a remarkable series of Scratch workshops in ATU Galway City for local national schools Radharc Na Mara and Gaelscoil Dara. From January to March 2023, these aspiring engineers devoted their time and expertise to empower young minds in their community.

They also teamed with Engineers’ Ireland to deliver classes as part of Engineers’ Week for Radharc Na Mara and Creagh National Schools.

A total of 151 children attended the workshops where ATU students shared their enthusiasm and technical knowledge as part of an elective Civic Engagement module.

The module gives students an opportunity to develop a sense of global citizenship and contribute to the achievement UN SDG 4 “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning for all.” ATU Galway City has developed close relationships with local schools since delivering its first workshop in 2012, continuing its mission to bridge the gap between academia and the local community.

For more information on our Software and Electronic Engineering degrees, visit atu.ie/au642 (level 8) and atu.ie/au542 (Level 7).

ATU Galway's Higher Diploma in Civil Engineering has received accreditation from Engineers Ireland, meeting the educational standard for Chartered Engineer. This program offers graduates a simpler route to the professional title of Chartered Engineer (CEng MIEI), a protected title under Irish Law. It enhances students' professional skills and employability, with collaboration from Engineers Ireland and employers. Graduates can apply for Chartered Engineer status through further learning or the standard route. The program was funded by the National Forum for Teaching & Learning, focusing on collaboration with Professional Bodies and Industry Partners. The next intake begins in September 2023, and applications are open at atu.ie/hdip-engineeringgalway.

ATU’s Dr Wayne Gibbons, lecturer in Civil Engineering, won the Association for Learning Technology (ALT) Learning Technologist of the Year (Individuals) 2022 award at the annual ALTC Conference in Manchester, UK. He is the first Irish academic to be awarded this international accolade.

The ALT Learning Technologist of the Year Awards revere excellent research, practice, and outstanding achievement in Learning Technology. The Awards have set a benchmark for outstanding achievement in Learning Technology on a national scale (UK) and attracts competitive entries internationally. An independent judging panel chaired by the President of ALT, reviews all entries. This award recognises the positive impact that Dr Gibbons doctoral study had on the learning and teaching experience in ATU Galway-Mayo. He investigated best practice for designing and implementing digital open badges into a module through engaging with students, lecturing staff, institute management and an employer over a three-year research period.

This research found that since the digital badges were implemented into the curriculum, an increase in motivation, engagement, confidence, peer learning, attendance and enhanced links to employability has been evident.

He says: “The badges are a great way to recognise and reward the types of attitudes and behaviours that are not captured in an exam or a numerical grade.

such as teamwork, mentoring, attitude to self-improvement and commitment to learning. These are traits that employers are keen to know about but can be difficult to provide evidence for. This allows them to tell the full story about their experience, not just their grades.”

To learn more about Civil Engineering at ATU Galway, checkout Dr Gibbons’ podcast 'Being Civil'.