CORU Approved Social Care programmes in ATU Mayo

ATU Mayo’s Social Care programmes are approved by CORU, which ensures graduates will be eligible for registration with the new Social Care Workers Register in Ireland

The Atlantic Technological University Mayo has received approval from the regulatory body, CORU, to deliver their social care programmes. Significant work, engagement and change has been invested over the last 5 years to secure CORU’s approval. This approval will further secure the development of the School of Health, Well-Being and Society in the Mayo Campus and will give confidence to the wider social care sector for qualified professional graduates in the years ahead.

ATU Alumni Welcomes President Joe Biden to Ballina

Gardiner, a member of the Aleen Cust Memorial Society, located it with the assistance of Brian Denning, the Irish Consul in Kingston.

Immersive Farm Machinery Simulation Puts Students in the Driving Seat

ATU Mountbellew received funding for two Farm Machinery Simulators by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine via Teagasc for student training with an emphasis on farm safety.

The simulator is designed to provide an immersive, realistic experience for farmers and agricultural professionals. With the Agricultural Driving Simulator, users can improve their driving skills, learn about different types of machinery and terrain, and improve their efficiency and productivity.

The driving simulator features cutting-edge technology and intuitive controls that make it easy to use and incredibly realistic.

Rob Lally is a past student of St. Colmans College, Claremorris and a graduate of our Bachelor of Business in Rural Enterprise and Agri-Business. We asked Rob about his time studying in ATU Mountbellew and ATU Galway and what he is up to now.

Why did you choose to study Agri-Business?

To be honest I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after school, but I knew I definately enjoyed the more practical aspects of school. I didn’t really know if third level was for me at all. My guidance teacher at secondary school encouraged me to explore my interest in agriculture which lead me to starting my journey in ATU Mountbellew. Firstly doing the Green Certificate, followed by the Diploma in Dairy Herd, and then chose to progress into a degree in Rural Enterprise and Agri-Business.

What did you enjoy most about the course?

Whilst studying at the Mountbellew campus I developed one of the most successful Macra Na Feirme clubs in the Higher Education setting, and developed strong friendships, networks and connections during this time.

Your favourite modules?

You’d suprise yourself what you’d enjoy when you're interested in it, business communications and negotiations along with rural development were definitely the ones outside of the practical modules I enjoyed most.

Advice for anyone interested in studying this degree?

The balance between labs and lecturers' is great, along with the small class sizes. The lectures are always there to help you out just don’t be afraid to ask when you need it. Get involved in clubs and societies, its a great way to make friends and contacts for the future.

What has been your career path since you graduated?

Well I’m a full-time beef farmer, work as a sales representative for Agri-Lloyd Ireland and to keep me a little more busier I’m now the newly elected Vice President for Macra Na Feirme.

Dr Deirdre Garvey, Head of Department of Environmental Humanities and Social Sciences, said: “The approval is attributed to the commitment of our staff, students and stakeholders in the region over the past number of years. It means that, from now on, our social care graduates will be eligible to register on CORU’s Social Care Register, when the register opens later this year.”

Finally, the Head of School of Health Sciences Wellbeing and Society and Vice President for ATU Mayo Dr Justin Kerr acknowledges the outstanding commitment shown by the Social Sciences staff members, particularly during the application process Justin says: “This was a challenging process particularly through

Ballina the pandemic, however, it was important that a regulated professional social care program is available at ATU Mayo and the team are passionate that the region has access to top class graduates in this field.”

For more information on our Applied Social Care degrees, go to atu.ie/au696 (Level 8) and atu.ie/au593 (Level 7).

Explore Human Behaviour and the Mind with ATU Mayo’s Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Psychology

ATU Mayo’s new Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology (AU698) is an exciting four-year, level 8 degree providing graduates with a broad and comprehensive foundation in Psychology—the study of human behaviour and the mind. Students will focus on psychology throughout the entirety of their degree with a major attribute of this programme being the work placement in Year 3. Students gain hands-on experience of the application of psychology.

In Year 4, students complete a research project in their chosen area of interest –

From Croagh Patrick to Niagara Falls

In February 2023, ten students from the Early Childhood Education and Care programme in ATU Mayo went on a once-in-a-lifetime study visit to Niagara College School of Community Studies, Early Childhood Education programme. They were led by Louise Kilbane, lecturer ATU Galway-Mayo and accompanied by Dr Justin Kerr, Vice President ATU Mayo and Dr Rita Melia lecturer ATU GalwayMayo, and a céad míle fáilte was extended to the Irish group.

Travelling on the yellow school bus daily was a treat for students and lecturers, the bus and the bus drivers facilitated transport to the different Niagara College campuses and on the group’s social activities. The students

Challenging the Rock in Spain

integrating knowledge gained across the 4 years.

The degree has been designed to align closely with the requirements of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI), providing a broad base in the core areas of biological psychology, social psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, individual differences, and research methods. ATU Mayo aims to receive PSI accreditation before the first student cohort finish, which will enhance career opportunities for graduates. For more information on our new Psychology degree, go to atu.ie/au698 immersed themselves in the natural beauty of Niagara, seeing Niagara from the sky and exploring above, below and behind Niagara Falls, with some on a zip wire! They also spent an evening at the Ice Dogs, Ice Hockey game with staff and Niagara College students who had visited ATU in October 2022. The visit was an excellent opportunity to progress discussions between ATU and Niagara college across a range of programmes, not only in Early Childhood Education, but also in Nursing and possibly even wine making! Students and lecturers were immersed in teaching, peer learning, sustained shared thinking, social and cultural activities during a packed and exciting study week.

They discussed the approach to early childhood education in both countries. This identified many synergies, particularly in relation to the value and importance of play, partnerships with families and communities, and the potential of outdoor early childhood education and care provision. The common theme of keeping the child at the heart of all they do was core to students and lecturers from both institutions. The study trip facilitated students and staff to build friendships and professional relationships, making this part of a comprehensive strategic partnership between Atlantic Technological University and Niagara College most worthwhile.

Each year in January, ATU Mayo Outdoor Education students spend a week rock-climbing on the Costa Blanca in Spain. A famed climbing destination, even in winter. During the autumn, the students will have learned all the techniques and rope skills required in a variety of locations in Ireland including, the Burren in Clare, Killary in Mayo and Dalkey in Dublin. Sun is nearly guaranteed in Spain, even in January, and there is bolted climbing of all grades in beautiful locations. The trip is a great mix of learning, challenge and fun; also forms forms a key part of preparation for the RockClimbing Instructor Training course. That course is one of the many National Governing body adventure instructor courses which are offered as part of ATU Mayo's Outdoor Education degrees.