Investing in the future of DIT DIT Foundation Impact Report 2017
Dear alumni and friends, I would like to thank you most sincerely for your engagement and support over the past year. Together we continue to empower our students to reach for their dreams and to achieve their full potential as engaged global citizens, ready to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world. Your donations enables DIT to continue to realise our mission as a comprehensive higher education institution, delivering academic programmes - from apprenticeships to PhD - across a wide range of disciplines for our students of all ages and backgrounds. The support of our alumni and friends increases our capacity to produce cutting-edge research and deliver much needed community related projects. Now, in partnership with our sister Institutes of Technology in Tallaght and Blanchardstown, we are close to achieving our goal of creating a Technological University that will serve not only the greater Dublin Region but will be a beacon for higher education nationally and internationally. We are also succeeding in our ambition to develop an amazing 21st century learning environment on our Grangegorman Campus for all DIT students. We are profoundly grateful to our donors, supporters and friends for their support in delivering what will be 140,000m² of purpose-built space for academic, cultural, social, recreational and sporting activities, as well as oncampus student accommodation, in the heart of a European capital city. We have commenced construction on the next two major academic quads this Spring, which will provide state-of-the-art facilities for 10,000 students by 2020. We are very proud to be a central part of such a nationally significant regeneration project, which will support the development of the city, enhance cultural life and bring additional creativity and innovation to our local community. Thank you for placing your trust in us and supporting our development at such an exciting and transformative time. Warm regards
Professor Brian Norton President, Dublin Institute of Technology
29%
20%
Part-time learners
International students from 60 countries
10%
44%
Mature Students
of students qualify for financial support
8%
4%
Disability
DIT is ranked in the top 4% of universities internationally
DIT is the 2017 Sunday Times “Institute of Technology of the Year�
DIT has over 800 researchers addressing 21st century challenges
DIT Foundation DIT Foundation encourages philanthropic support from DIT alumni, friends, corporations, staff, charitable trusts and foundations. We are committed to demonstrating the unique culture of DIT and unlocking the power of philanthropic support to the Institute.
Our fundraising priorities reflect DIT’s strategic objectives: Capital Development – DIT Foundation is committed to supporting DIT’s historic campus development at Grangegorman, Dublin 7 which is transforming the learning environment at DIT and driving urban regeneration in Dublin. Supporting Excellence in Teaching and Research – supporting DIT in its mission to be a culturally diverse and stimulating learning and research environment. Enabling Participation at DIT – working with our donors to support access to education, enabling students to achieve their dreams and deepening community engagement.
Message from the Chairman On behalf of my fellow Board members I would like to express our heartfelt thanks for the generous support of all donors to DIT in 2017. The impact of philanthropy at DIT is far reaching and throughout this report, you will see how donations help complement and enhance our existing work. Together with a growing number of private individuals, companies and trusts, we are providing even more support to the many students at DIT who struggle to make ends meet, delivering facilities that encourage innovation and creativity and developing programmes that address real societal challenges. We are committed to developing a meaningful and valued partnership with all our donors in order to advance our mission as a comprehensive higher education institution. We are deeply grateful for our donors’ steadfast dedication and we are excited about the future as we develop a state-ofthe-art learning environment at Grangegorman. Jim Gahan, Chair, DIT Foundation DIT Surveying 1970
DIT Grangegorman
Grangegorman Campus: Enhancing higher education and transforming the urban landscape The creation of a 21st century higher education campus in the centre of a European capital city is both ambitious and exciting. For the first time in its more than 130 year history, DIT will bring together its wide range of disciplines, research and innovation activities, and civic engagement in one city-centre location. Possibly the most significant capital investment in higher education in Ireland’s history, it is also a flagship project for the redevelopment of the inner city of Dublin. The development of the site has been approached sympathetically, with its eleven protected structures painstakingly restored and repurposed. New state-of-theart academic facilities are about to be constructed as well as dedicated spaces for public exhibitions, performances and lectures. The beautifully landscaped grounds provide a publicly accessible green lung in a dense urban setting, with walking routes linking neighbourhoods and local communities, a children’s playground and playing fields for soccer, rugby and GAA that are extensively used by DIT students and local clubs alike. In 2014, the first 1200 students and 200 staff members moved to the campus. These include students of the Dublin School of Creative Arts – including Fine Art, Visual Communications, Furniture and Interior Design and Visual Merchandising – and students of Photography, who are currently based in the studios in the North House. Students of Social Science – including Social Care, Early Childhood
Education, and Criminology – are also located on campus in the restored listed buildings.
The Greenway Hub The Greenway Hub was officially opened by Minister Richard Bruton on 01 March 2017. The first new DIT building on campus, it hosts some 90 researchers in the Environmental Sustainability and Health Institute (ESHI) who are working in laboratories using the latest equipment to investigate issues relating to the effects of the environment on our food, water, air quality, and health. It is also home to entrepreneurs and high potential start-up companies, mentored and supported by the tech transfer team in DIT Hothouse. Funded by DIT, Enterprise Ireland and PRTLI the Greenway Hub places research, commercialisation and business incubation in a strategic location at the heart of the new campus.
Impact report, DIT Hothouse Incubator
Cross-City Luas
DIT Broombridge
Artist render of the East Quad at DIT Grangegorman
DIT Hothouse is the award-winning Innovation and Knowledge Transfer Office at DIT, responsible for the commercialisation of intellectual property arising from DIT research
The next stage In December 2017 the Head of the European Investment Bank (EIB) visited the DIT campus and reconfirmed support for the project. The construction of the East and Central Quads have been guaranteed the financial support required and DIT can prepare to move 10,000 students to the new campus by early 2020. Work has begun on the construction of the Central Quad which will be the focal point on the campus for the sciences and health, tourism and hospitality, culinary arts and food technology. Built around a central courtyard, the 30,000m² building will include lecture theatres, laboratories, kitchens, and other facilities. A teaching restaurant, supported by philanthropy from Musgrave Marketplace, as part of their commitment to education and the future of the Irish food sector, will be at its heart. December 2017 also marked the arrival of the Cross-City Luas, providing a major public transport link right to the campus entrance. The Broadstone DIT stop will provide direct access to the East Quad which will incorporate a range of performance and exhibition spaces for use by students and by visiting performers throughout the
Dublin Bikes
year. As a Cultural Hub, the East Quad will bring together over 200 arts practitioners from the creative, performing and media arts, creating a year-round programme and attracting audiences from around the city. From the DIT campus, the Cross-City Luas proceeds to its terminus at Broombridge – just two stops further – thereby serving the DIT Sports facilities that have been developed in a former industrial site where the mainline rail coincides with the Luas. A full size all-weather GAA pitch, which can also be used for two soccer or rugby pitches, has been developed on the site, with associated changing facilities.
Creating Ireland’s first Technological University In March 2018 The Technological University Alliance for Dublin welcomed the signing into law by President Michael D. Higgins of the Technological Universities Act. The Alliance, which includes DIT, IT Blanchardstown and IT Tallaght, said the ambition now is to bring the TU4Dublin project to fruition and create the first technological university in Dublin. The new, enlarged institution will have more than 28,000 students based on three campuses – Grangegorman, Blanchardstown and Tallaght – linked by a common platform of online learning and services. It will offer a wide portfolio of career-focused and practice based programmes, supporting students at every stage of their lives and careers.
DIT and TOPCON on mission to fight blindness
Professor Brian Norton & Dr. Ray O’Connor
DIT’s School of Physics & Clinical & Optometric Sciences has been educating students for over 50 years and enjoys an international reputation for excellence. The National Optometry Centre (NOC), situated within the School, supports the delivery of the only undergraduate degree in the Republic of Ireland through the provision of clinical training facilities. In addition, The Centre for Eye Research Ireland (CERI), a dedicated ophthalmic research facility resides in the School of Physics & Clinical & Optometric Sciences. CERI is one of the first research centres to locate to the Environmental Sustainability and Health Institute on DIT’s new campus in Grangegorman. CERI has a unique research portfolio that aims to eliminate avoidable blindness and vision impairment, improve quality of life and create sustainable societal impact. The DIT Centre for Eye Research Ireland (CERI), led by Professor James Loughman, is observing a very significant increase in eye disease globally. This is due to a range of factors such as the world’s growing population, longer lifespans and inadequate access to healthcare resources. Our rapidly evolving lifestyle including changes to our diet, exercise habits and potentially even the technological revolution that society has experienced are also contributory factors.
Topcon was founded in 1932 with a focus on developing and manufacturing surveying instruments. Following World War II Topcon introduced ophthalmic and medical equipment to the market and is now a recognised market leader in eye health and innovation. In the domains of healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure Topcon is dedicated to providing solutions to these societal challenges. Her Excellency Ambassador Myoshi of Japan & Dr. Ray O’Connor
Topcon has been a longstanding supporter of DIT, providing much needed surveying equipment to the College of Engineering and Built Environment and ophthalmic equipment to the National Optometry Centre. Topcon, a global leader in ophthalmic precision instruments, has pledged €250,000 to support the Centre for Eye Research Ireland. The Topcon Vision Science Lab in DIT Grangegorman will facilitate significant eye health research and the fight against blindness. Dr. Ray O’Connor of Topcon travelled from California for the launch in November 2016, which was also attended by Her Excellency Ambassador Myoshi of Japan. DIT Graduate Dr. Ray O’Connor, Senior Managing Executive of Topcon, said the company was delighted to work with DIT colleagues and to support what is vital health research. “The research taking place in these cutting-edge labs on the Grangegorman campus will be crucial in developing
“The research taking place in these cutting-edge labs on the Grangegorman campus will be crucial in developing preventative measures that enhance our health prognosis. Protecting and prolonging the gift of sight is a great contribution to long-term wellbeing in our population. This is an example of industry and academia collaborating for a common good and my colleagues and I in Topcon are glad to be working with DIT on this.” preventative measures that enhance our health prognosis. Protecting and prolonging the gift of sight is a great contribution to long-term well-being in our population. This is an example of industry and academia collaborating for a common good and my colleagues and I in Topcon are glad to be working with DIT on this.”
conducting two ground-breaking clinical trials: one exploring nutritional interventions for glaucoma and the other investigating myopia control in children.
Professor Brian Norton, President of DIT, said, “The Topcon Vision Science Lab here in the Greenway Hub – which is our centre for research and innovation in the heart of our new campus in Grangegorman – will support research that will no doubt play an important part in improving health outcomes internationally but also here in Ireland.” The Topcon Vision Science Lab provides researchers in CERI with the latest in technology and equipment to pioneer advances in eye health. The team at CERI is currently
Her Excellency Ambassador Myoshi of Japan & Dr. Ray O’Connor
Basis.point Junior Cycle Workshop Programme The DIT Access & Civic Engagement Office provides a broad range of supports to ensure that students from communities and backgrounds where there is little tradition of participation in higher education succeed in accessing and graduating from third level education Basis.point, a registered charity, represents the Irish Fund Industry’s initiative to come together to help make a difference to those in need. The Irish Fund Industry avoided the worst of the recession that has caused considerable hardship for many people in Ireland. Recognising this, a group of individuals considered how the industry could make a difference. Basis.point’s aim is to help make a sustainable and tangible difference to the lives of those living in poverty, particularly young people, by supporting charities, which focus on education. Basis.point does this by providing grants to charities to fund programmes and initiatives that focus on education. When DIT moved to Grangegorman in 2013 it engaged in a consultation process with local schools and identified a need to provide opportunities to engage local school children with DIT, in order to promote higher education opportunities. This led to the establishment of the junior cycle workshop programme, which engages schoolchildren from 1st – 3rd year. This programme promotes higher
education as a realistic and achievable ambition for students from DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) schools in inner city Dublin and has been running for 2 years in the 4 neighbouring schools close to DIT’s new campus in Grangegorman. The Junior Cycle Workshop Programme marks the start of a long term relationship with participants and schools which spans the 3 years of the junior cycle. With support from basis.point we will expand our existing programme from four DEIS schools to the fourteen DIT partner DEIS
Students from St. Pauls CBS Secondary School learning crime scene investigation skills with Garda
Students from Mount Carmel Secondary School working on a renewable energy project
“In basis.point we have a partner who shares our ambitions to instil confidence in these students and to sow the seed that higher education is a realistic and viable option for them when they leave secondary school.” schools in inner city Dublin on a phased basis this has the potential to reach an additional 700 young people from disadvantaged schools across Dublin’s inner city. We aim to encourage a sense of belonging to the college campus among the students and expose them to new areas of potential interest such as design, science, engineering, art and construction and the wide variety of career opportunities made possible by higher education. Dr Catherine Bates, Head of DIT Access & Civic Engagement expressed her gratitude to basispoint. “In basis.point we have a partner who shares our ambitions to instil confidence in these students and to sow the seed that higher education is a realistic and viable option for them when they leave secondary school.”
Students from Stanhope St. Secondary School taking part in a forensics workshop
Scholarship Overview An increasing number of students at DIT are seeking additional financial support to allow them to remain in full time education. Scholarships at DIT award students for their hard work and dedication. They allow students the opportunity to focus on achieving excellence in their field and also shows our donors commitment to supporting Ireland’s future generation. DIT Foundation administered 43 scholarships in 2017, with a total value of €150,000.
New to 2017 Sirus Scholarship
The two talented students awarded the first Sirus Scholarship were Zoe Elliott and Pauric O’Connell, both fourth year students of Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Building Services Engineering.
DIT and Sirus introduced the Sirus Scholarship for Building Engineering in 2017. The Scholarship was an initiative created with DIT Graduate James Byrne(CEO) and Frank Caul (Managing Director), who together set up the very successful Irish engineering company Sirus Group. “Sirus are always looking for good people, we prefer to employ the graduates from Building Engineering in DIT as they are able to hit the ground running and contribute to the company quickly; this also means that these graduates climb the career ladder very quickly.” Sirus Manging Director Frank Caul
Schneider Electric Ireland Scholarship
Mark Keogh, VP for Partner & Industry Business with awardee Meda Sigekina
Meda Sigekina, a second year student of Electrical Services & Energy Management in Kevin St was awarded the first Schneider Scholarship in October 2017. This Scholarship was created with Mark Keogh, a DIT Engineering graduate who is the VP for Partner & Industry Business at Schneider Electric Ireland. The Scholarship was set up to complement and enhance their current involvement with the DIT ESTeEm project, by encouraging and supporting female enrolment in engineering courses at DIT. Meda will have the opportunity to complete a summer placement with Schneider Electric Ireland at their headquarters in Maynooth as part of her Scholarship.
Sirus also generously donated a state-of-the-art recirculating air conditioning teaching system to the college which will be put into use in time for the next academic year.
This piece of equipment will support the learning of undergraduate students and apprentices
Leslie Shoemaker, Programme Facilitator with students from the ESTeEm Project
Panelto Scholarships
Conor Martin, one of the awardees provided an insight to their semester in at Purdue – “The time at Purdue was life changing. I think I can speak for all the students and say if there was another chance to do it all over again we would. With the scholarship were able to fully immerse ourselves in the “American college lifestyle”. The opportunities of studying other topics in college such as psychology were extremely valuable in our development in hospitality learning about the early stages of the way people act/react and why.”
Brian Guerin with awardees Kate McLoughlin and Shane Monaghan and Dr. Frank Cullen, Head of School of Culinary Arts & Food Technology
Ocean Edge Resort Scholarships
DIT and Panelto introduced the Panelto Scholarship in Culinary Arts & Food Technology and Mechanical & Design Engineering in 2017. Three exceptional students from Baking & Pastry Arts Management and from Mechanical and Design Engineering were awarded the Panelto Scholarship by Brian Guerin, General Manager of Panelto Foods. As part of the Panelto Scholarship, the 3rd year students will complete an internship and will have the opportunity to complete a summer placement with Panelto at their plant in Longford.
Marriott Scholarship
The DIT School of Hospitality Management and Tourism was delighted to announce the new Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Club scholarships in 2017. These scholarships were awarded to two students of proven engagement and academic excellence in the second year of the Hospitality Management and two students in the third year of International Hospitality Management. In addition, the recipients will be offered a highly attractive 6 month internship with Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Club in Cape Cod starting in March 2018.
Aine Morris, Emilia Howarth, Niamh McAnana, Conor Martin & Jiawei Sun at Purdue University
In March 2017, students from the Hospitality Management Programme in Cathal Brugha Street were awarded the first Marriot Scholars. This scholarship provided five students with a grant to support a semester of study at the Marriott Hall, School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.
Robert Newman, the CEO of Corcoran Jennison Hospitality and General Manager of Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Club established this scholarship programme. Robert is a graduate of Hotel Catering Management from DIT Cathal Brugha Street.
Cait McCarthy, winner of the 2017 Wallace Family Scholarship
Michelle Malone awarded the Mont Kavanagh Fine Art Scholarship in 2017
Wallace Family Scholarship – Cait McCarthy
Mont Kavanagh Scholarship – Michelle Malone
Cait McCarthy, a 3rd year student of Product Design was awarded the 2017 Wallace Family Scholarship. During Cait’s first year in DIT she aspired to give something back and began in October 2015 by immersing herself in an organisation for overseas voluntary work in Uganda where she worked on a facility and programme for an IT Library for aspiring students. Cait’s primary interest is in medical device design and engineering; she has completed a level 5 Healthcare Assistant course to gain vital insight into this industry.
“Being an Artist means surrendering my thoughts to endless flights of fancy. It means letting your imagination run free without binding it with conscious restrictions and blocks. It means anything is possible. It means sleepless nights. It means having an empty bank account. It means constantly challenging your own process and development. It means buying materials instead of socialising. It means striving to be unique and individual. It means not being afraid to be honest and true to yourself. It means wanting to cry because you are so happy with what you’ve made.”
Cait is also the head of ‘Women in design’ in the DIT design society and is a mentor to those who have just recently entered the course. Cait hopes to complete a Masters when she has finished her degree in Product Design. The Wallace Family Scholarship aims to support committed students like Cait who have not only demonstrated academic achievement but also engaged with the world of engineering outside of the classroom. The Wallace Family Fund for Engineering was established in 2016 by engineer Paul Wallace, a graduate of 1958 Bolton Street. It was with the financial support of a generous donor that Paul himself had the opportunity to study engineering at DIT in 1958. He went on to have a long and fruitful career as an engineer in both industry and academia. The fund is supported by Paul’s family and friends.
Michelle Malone is a mature student studying Fine Art in Grangegorman. Michelle was awarded the Mont Kavanagh Fine Art Scholarship in 2017 for her outstanding portfolio, academic excellence and successful interview. Michelle spent eight years working in Visual Merchandising and Display before beginning the Fine Art Programme in DIT. She has built an excellent rapport with staff and students alike, and was chosen as the class representative, working hard to keep her fellow students motivated and organised. In May 2017 Michelle assisted renowned artist Aoibheann Greenan in teaching a children’s workshop in the Royal Hibernian Academy School, an experience which encouraged her to be more active both in college and externally. Mont Kavanagh led Hardwicke Property Group for almost twenty years, and was widely recognised as both an industry leader and a pioneer in the development of modern office accommodation in Dublin through the 1960s and 1970s. Following his untimely death, the Mont Kavanagh Trust was established in his honour to seek to promote through educational endeavour real estate sciences, architecture and the visual arts.
New to 2018 - DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama Scholarship Programme
Keith Fahy at the peak of Mount Kilimajaro
DIT Travel Scholarship in Renewable Energy – Keith Fahy Keith Fahy was awarded the 2018 Travel Scholarship with Renewable World. Keith recently graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering in Building Services Engineering, and in 2016 with a Master of Science in Energy Management from DIT Kevin Street. He also holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering from CIT and completed an apprenticeship in refrigeration and air-conditioning. He is currently a lead engineer, responsible for energy management in a pharmaceutical company in Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Keith reached the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro and also trekked the Great Wall of China and climbed Mt Elbrus in Russia. In 2018 he will take part in the Marathon des Sables in Morocco.
DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama covers the broadest range of performing arts disciplines in Ireland with degree programmes in classical and Irish traditional music, composition, musicology, music education, jazz, opera, drama and (in association with partner colleges) rock and pop music, and film scoring. Scholarship funding is a key part of performing arts education around the world. In 2017 DIT ‘s Conservatory of Music and Drama launched a new scholarship programme to attract the best artistic talent and to provide motivation and inspiration to current and future students. This competitive scholarship programme can offer the most talented young performers the financial support needed to reach their full potential and achieve their dreams. This scholarship programme was launched at the ‘Past and Present’ DIT Conservatory Gala Concert at the National Concert Hall in November 2017. This concert celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Bachelor of Music in Performance degree.
2017 Scholarships DIT Foundation would like to thank all of the donors who contributed to Scholarships in 2017:
Keith’s main interests are in geothermal systems and pumping systems, carbon dioxide cooling systems and absorption refrigeration systems, which made him the perfect candidate for a placement with Renewable World. Keith will travel to Kenya in June 2018 to design and install a solar powered ice making system and to assist with work on a solar micro grid.
• Marriott Foundation Scholarships in Hospitality Management & Tourism
The DIT Travel Scholarship in Renewable Energy is an annual scholarship which provides an opportunity for a high-achieving DIT graduate with a Masters Degree or PhD to pursue a practical work assignment in a developing country in the area of renewable energy. The recipient will work for a period of up to 3 months on a project managed by the international charity Renewable World.
• Panelto Scholarships for the School of Mechanical & Design Engineering and Culinary Arts & Food Technology
• Mont Kavanagh Scholarships & Awards in Fine Art, Architecture & Architectural Technology • Morrison Scholarship in Architecture & Architectural Technology • Musgrave Scholarship in Culinary Arts & Culinary Entrepreneurship • Ocean Edge Scholarships for Hospitality Management & Tourism
• Wallace Family Scholarships for Mechanical, Manufacturing & Design, Product Design or Building Services Engineering • Schneider Scholarships for Female students of Electrical Engineering & Energy Management • Sirus Scholarships for Building Services Engineering • Travel Scholarship in Renewable Energy
eir
DIT Disability Support Service is committed to helping students with disabilities achieve their academic goals. We ensure that all 1,400 students registered with our service are able to fully participate in, and benefit from, all educational opportunities at DIT. DIT Disability Support Service is delighted to partner with eir on a ground-breaking assistive technologies pilot project called Appventure, which focuses on the use of technology tools to promote greater academic success and enhance the student’s learning experience. eir is the principal provider of fixed-line and mobile telecommunications services in Ireland with approximately 2 million customers. eir provided support through their corporate social responsibility investment programme, the eir Fund – Connecting Communities. In partnership with eir, DIT Disability Support Service will identify and train Technology Mentors from the student body. These mentors promote the use of technology apps to fellow students primarily through workshops. In year 1 this pilot programme will assist approximately 500 newly registered disability students as well as students already registered with the service. The Technology Mentors will run15 workshops throughout the academic year using different apps for mobile and chrome browsers, such as speech to text and text to speech tools.
Michelle Toner, Head of CSR with eir: “We were very impressed by the innovative use of technology to create a learning website, bringing together all the information needed to navigate life in DIT. We have to commend the work of Carissa and the students who spent their summer months researching and working on this programme. Well done to DIT Disability Support Service for continually working to ensure students enjoy an inclusive academic experience during their time with DIT. eir is proud to have been able to provide support for this programme.” The “eir Disability Champion Award” recognises the leadership role of an outstanding Technology Mentor in developing and delivering these workshops and has been awarded to Carissa Smith. Carissa is a third year student in Computer Science in DIT Kevin Street. In accepting the award Carissa said “Disability rights have always been very close to my heart and I feel very honoured to receive the eir Disability Champion Award” Carissa is a passionate advocate for students with disabilities and intends pursuing a career as an Assistive Technology Officer once her studies are completed.
Appventure, an online tool for students aims to help students enhance their learning through technology.
School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology ‘Re-Inspired Programme’ DIT’s School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology has an international reputation for the excellence of its graduates. It is the leading provider of education, training and research for the culinary and food-related industries in Ireland. The School’s mission is to position itself as the benchmark for culinary arts & food technology education in Ireland, embracing gastronomy, baking technology, bar studies, meat technology, cuisine, entrepreneurship, food product development and culinary science. In 2014 the School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology launched the Innovative Supporters of Professional Industry, Research, Education Development (INSPIRED) friends of Culinary Arts. INSPIRED is a voluntary group with CEO members drawn from across the food and culinary/hospitality sectors and underpins the School’s connectivity with the industry. This highly successful initiative entered a new phase in September 2017 with the launch of the ‘Re-Inspired’ programme. In co-operation with Merchants Quay Ireland, Homeless and Drug Services, Teach Mhuire, Homeless Services & Rehab Treatment Centres and the UN Refugee Agency, DIT is providing culinary training for a 12 homeless people, and working with industry to deliver employment opportunities in the food and hospitality sector on graduation. This ground breaking programme seeks to make a sustainable difference to the lives of homeless people and refugees. Under the watchful eye of James Rock, Lecturer in Culinary Arts, this group develops and enhances culinary skills, which will empower them to work as professional chefs in the food and hospitality sectors. We extend our thanks to Larry Murrin, CEO Dawn Foods/ With Taste and Vincent Carlton, Managing Director, Manor Farm for their support of the Re-Inspired programme. We are also very grateful to Mary Coppinger Uniforms Ltd for supplying the uniforms to the participants on this programme.
Intel supporting discovery & innovation at DIT
DIT Engineering student Claragh Patton Kelly
Photo - DIT President, Professor Brian Norton and DIT graduate Eamonn Sinnott, Vice President and General Manager at Intel Ireland pictured at the launch of a new strategic partnership between DIT and Intel.
In 2017 Intel Ireland signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic partnership that will undertake a varied programme of activity in a number of key areas of mutual interest such as education, outreach, research and innovation. The programme will also include projects aimed at developing and encouraging future talent and increasing the representation of women in STEM professions. Philanthropy is playing a role in DIT’s strategic partnership with Intel who supported the establishment of the Intel Internet of Things Lab at DIT Kevin Street in 2017. The Intel IoT laboratory compliments the development of a new Internet of Things module within the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. So far over 60 students have benefitted from the facilities supported by Intel and the module is over-subscribed. The Internet of Things is a rapidly evolving area and the support of Intel has allowed DIT to keep at pace with developments in tools, devices and technologies so that our students have the best of facilities at their fingertips.
Claragh Patton Kelly is an engineering student working in the Intel Internet of Things Lab. Claragh’s project is to create a STEM learning platform that works with students to monitor their local environment, relay the data to a central store and perform some data analysis. This project is aimed at primary students and will be trialled in schools surrounding DIT Grangegorman and Kevin Street in conjunction with the Access and Civic Engagement Office.
Recipient of Intel Ireland’s Women in Technology Scholarship in 2017 DIT Engineering student, Annie Dobbyn (left) with PhD student Rachel Harding
PhD candidate Rachel Harding is supported by Intel in her research “An Examination of the Gender Differences in Spatial Visualisation Skills and their Impact on Success and Engagement in STEM Education.” As part of Rachel’s research over 7,000 secondary school students in 42 schools have taken a spatial reasoning test and work is underway to extend testing to primary schools.
“Intel first made the decision to invest in Ireland back in 1989 and what has followed since has been a remarkable journey that has seen Ireland become home to one of the most advanced technology centres in the world. This new memorandum which we embark upon today with DIT represents an exciting new chapter between our two organisations and I look forward to exploring a number of ways in which we can collaborate together into the future.” General Manager at Intel Ireland and DIT Kevin Street graduate Eamonn Sinnott
Access Fund DIT has a long tradition of supporting access to education and we continue to strive to ensure that students from disadvantaged backgrounds and marginalised communities are given every opportunity to access the education they deserve at DIT. Our programmes and supports have a wide impact working with undergraduate students, schools and our local communities to help break the cycle of disadvantage and open the opportunity of education to all. Donors to the Access Fund support this work by providing financial support for students in financial need and for outreach activities within our community right across Dublin’s inner-city and beyond.
Adam Betts is a third year Business and Management student at DIT and is the DIT Access Student Coordinator. He lives in Ringsend with his mother. He also landed his dream internship with one of the worlds big consultantcy firms
CLiCnews.ie is a restricted access website developed by the DIT Access and Civic Engagement Team to support schools to deliver literacy programmes to young children. It currently supports 2,000 students in 50 schools nationwide.
A Bake Off takes place at St. Paul’s “The Brunner” near DIT Grangegorman and Bolton Street as part of DIT’s Transition Year Skills Challenge for local schools
DIT Graduate Network International DIT is committed to increasing its engagement with international alumni. Having established an annual event in the calendar for our alumni in London, this year we took it to Rich Mix art space in East London and were joined by Professor Brian Norton, DIT President, and staff from the Dublin School of Creative Arts and DIT Bolton Street. 80 alumni attended from all schools, including pianist Adam McDonagh (BMus ’15), currently studying for his MA in music at University of Cambridge.
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The Irish Embassy in Brussels hosted an event for our alumni in the Belgian capital where we were joined by Irish alumni living in Brussels and Belgian alumni who attended DIT as part of the Erasmus programme.
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At home the Graduate Network attended 18 graduation ceremonies in 2017 signing new graduates onto the network. 4000 students graduate from DIT each year. The ceremonies held at the historic St. Patrick’s Cathedral in spring and autumn are a very proud day for alumni, their families and DIT staff.
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Continued Interest in Grangegorman Campus DIT Grangegorman saw several alumni gatherings throughout the year. MSc in Spatial Planning graduates were invited for a reunion and tour of the new Campus with a reception at St. Laurence’s, one of the two historic churches on the Grangegorman campus. The event was hosted by the Spatial Planning Graduate Network and DIT Graduate Network. A large group of alumni from all Schools gathered for tours of the new campus with guides joining us from the Campus Planning and Campus Life teams. Four groups visited buildings including North House, St. Laurence’s, the Clock Tower and The Greenway Hub.
School Reunions DIT Conservatory of Music & Drama celebrated three decades of the Bachelor of Music in Performance degree with an Alumni Gala Concert ‘Past and Present’ at the National Concert Hall featuring graduates of the programme, including internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Paula Murrihy, along with 200 Conservatory staff and students. The concert celebrated the contribution graduates of the BMus have made to Irish and international music. Guests enjoyed performances by some of the many stars - and rising stars - in Irish classical and traditional music who have emerged
9 Image panel: 1. DIT Brussels Alumni Reunion, Embassy of Ireland 2. BSc Marketing 1987 3. Product Design Celebrates 10 Years of Alumni 4. DIT London Alumni Celebration 2017 5. Grangegorman Tours for Alumni 6. International Business & Languages Class of 1997 Reunion
4,600
Graduates in 2017
143,200+
e-mail communications to alumni
from the DIT Conservatory over the last three decades. Introduced by eminent Conservatory graduate, Liz Nolan from RTÉ Lyric FM, the programme included vocalists, instrumentalists and orchestra, performing both classics and exciting new compositions. The School of Mathematical Sciences held an alumni reunion event for all graduates of mathematics and statistics at the end of March, uniting graduates from across many generations, giving an opportunity to catch up, network and meet both current and retired staff from the School. The event provided a platform for graduates to initiate engagement with the School on research or industry collaboration (including work placements and internships) and to contribute and influence the development of its programmes and graduates.
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The School of Mechanical & Design Engineering, the School of Creative Arts and the School of Marketing welcomed alumni of the BSc in Product Design to celebrate 10 years of graduates from the programme at a reunion at the Product Design Students End of Year Show in June. 8
10 7. Chicago Alumnus Welcomed Back to Bolton Street 8. DIT Kevin Street Celebrates Mathematics Alumni 9. DIT Conservatory of Music Celebrates 30 Years of the B Mus with a Gala Night at the National Concert Hall 10. DIT Bolton Street Class of 1957 Celebrates 60 Year ReunionEvent
The DIT MBA programme welcomed MBA alumni to the Baldonnel Aerodrome in November. Hosted by MBA graduate Comdt Jay O’Reilly it included a ‘knowledge exchange’ from DIT MBA faculty and Air Corps personnel and a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the base. The School of Surveying & Construction Management welcomed back John O’Dwyer (Surveying ‘84) to give alumni and students a talk on Valuation in America. John moved to the States shortly after graduating from DIT Bolton Street and is now President of JSO Valuation Group in Chicago, a commercial real estate appraisal firm that works in 30 states in America. John reunited with DIT at the alumni gathering in Chicago 2016.
Class Reunions
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There were several Class Reunions throughout the year. Mechanical Engineering Class of 1957 celebrated a 60 Year Reunion in April with a dinner in Bolton Street. Present with the class were staff, students from the DIT Engineers Society and members of the DIT Beta Society, a group of engineers intent on philanthropic support and promotion of the mechanical engineering degree at Bolton Street.
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International Business & Languages class of 1997 celebrated its 20 Year Reunion at DIT Kevin Street in June. Classmates travelled from around Ireland, Paris, Nantes, Tenerife and Dubai.
Friends on Facebook
members on LinkedIn
In September the BSc Marketing class of 1987 celebrated 30 years at an event in Dublin city centre.
Thank You We would like to thank all of our donors in 2017 for helping is to make such a great impact at DIT both in terms of our capital development, delivering innovative programmes and supporting access to education. Donations to DIT Foundation totalled ₏642,549 for 2017. A full set of DIT Foundation’s audited accounts are available on dit.ie/foundation.
Trusts & Foundations Corporates
1%
Alumni & Friends Legacy
15%
26%
58%
DIT Foundation accounts are prepared in accordance with the charity SORP standard of accountability and transparency. DIT Foundation is a registered charity with the Charities Regulator of Ireland. Registration number is 20045807.
Contact Us If you would like to learn more about the work of DIT Foundation and how you can get involved please contact Julie Stafford DIT Foundation Grangegorman Dublin 7 01 402 4137 | foundation@dit.ie | www.dit.ie/foundation
Directors: Chairman – Jim Gahan, Mr. Peter Coyle, Mr. Sean Dorgan, Mr. Jim Gahan, Professor Neville Hogan, Mr. David Kennedy, Mr. Bobby Kerr, Ms. Anna Marie McHugh, Professor Brian Norton, Dr. Noel O’Connor, Ms. Angela Brady OBE, Mr. Ian O’Herlihy
Staff: Anne-Marie Corry, Executive Director; Julie Stafford, Senior Development Manager; Aisling Carr, Alumni Relations Manager; Jill O’Lone, Administrator and Scholarships.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT Donations to DIT support our mission to provide an innovative, responsive and caring learning environment for a diverse range and level of programmes to students of all ages and backgrounds.
DIT Foundation, The Clock Tower, Grangegorman, Dublin 7 Tel: 01 402 4137 Email: foundation@dit.ie Web: www.dit.ie/foundation