‘Transformational time in the history ofITCarlow’
INSTITUTE of Technology Carlow, and its campus in Wexford, is at ‘a truly transformational time in its history.
World-class facilities thanks to a €150 million physical master plan, a choice of 80 specialist courses to doctorate level, smaller class sizes and access to lecturers, constant collaboration with employers at home and abroad, and an ‘industry ready’ approach to learning are amongst the reasons why there has never been a better time to study at Institute of Technology Carlow, according to its president, Dr. Patricia Mulcahy.
and with 96% of Institute of Technology Carlow graduates employed within six months of graduation – well above the national average of 80% - alumnis are part of a proud 50,000-strong community pursuing careers in all walks of life and in the top companies around the world, said Dr. Mulcahy.
‘In Ireland, the employment rate for graduates is currently at 80%. For IT Carlow graduates, the employment rate is significantly higher - 93% at graduation and rising further to 96% within six months of graduation. Demand for all our graduates is very high. In fact, last year over 50% of final year students in software and computer games development had been offered jobs within the computer game industry and ICT sector before they sat their exams,’ said Dr. Mulcahy.
Dr. Mulcahy’s comments were made at a recent showcase event at the Institute ahead of the CAO deadline of February 1.
Institute of Technology Carlow is at “a truly transformational time in its history” as it works towards Technical University designation, said Dr. Mulcahy.
Current students are enjoying the benefits of the Institute’s €150mn capital programme which it is midway through rolling out. A new advanced science and technology building, announced by the Minister for Education and the Minister for Higher Education in late 2017, is set to further boost the Institute’s renown for offerings in areas as diverse as biopharma, medtech, environmental, agri-food and health sciences. New courses in cybercrime and brewing & distilling are recognised as ground breaking, with the latter one of only four courses in the world approved by the renowned Institute of Brewing & Distilling (IBD).
Work is to begin, in the coming months, on a new 30-acre South Sports Campus comprising six GAA, rugby and soccer pitches alongside a full-size running track. A new customised campus for Wexford and a further site adjacent to the Carlow campus on the Kilkenny road is also in the planning.
‘We believe students make the right choice by choosing to study at Institute of Technology Carlow and we honour that choice by dedicating ourselves to their intellectual and creative development so that they are equipped for both their first job and for a lifetime of learning,’ said David Denieffe, Vice President for Student and Academic Affairs. ‘It is one of the reasons why Institute of Technology Carlow is consistently placed in the top-tier of high-performing, university-level institutions by the Higher Education Authority, following international expert review.’
The showcase event also featured a number of graduates who spoke about what is unique and attractive about studying at Institute of Technology Carlow and outlined the life skills they gained from their tenure as students.
Graduate Alastair Chambers described his time at Institute of Technology Carlow as ‘a
LAST YEAR OVER 50% OF FINAL YEAR STUDENTS IN SOFTWARE AND COMPUTER GAMES DEVELOPMENT HAD BEEN OFFERED JOBS BEFORE THEY SAT THEIR EXAMS
phenomenal experience’. In the third year of his honours degree course in mechanical engineering, he won the Engineers Ireland Student of the Year award and has since secured what he describes as his ‘dream job’ as a writer/reviewer of farm machinery for the Irish Farmers Journal.
‘I travel to factories all over the world, looking at how engineering processes work and testing machinery for the Irish Farmers Journal. My studies at Institute of Technology Carlow gave me the ability to do my job very well. It doesn’t get much better than this,’ said Alastair.
Jack Cregan, a BSc. graduate in Product Design Innovation, spoke about the ‘world-class design facilities and access to lecturers’ that saw him, while a student at Institute of Technology Carlow, take the top three awards at Universal Design Grand Challenge, a design competition that promotes and awards design excellence in Ireland. As a design student at the Institute, Jack designed a therapeutic horse riding aid that can be used in equine therapy for children with autism.
‘I tried two other courses of study in other colleges before settling at Institute of Technology Carlow as a mature student. Having previously sat in lecture halls of over 300 students, I loved the small teams, the community feel, the access to lecturers, the studio-based learning, the teamwork and problem solving of my course at IT Carlow. I didn’t feel intimidated at all and, coming from industry, the fully-equipped workshops and suite of 3-D printers were so impressive.’
Dr. Emma Smullen spoke about her experience at IT Carlow that saw her recently graduate with a Doctorate by research in biomass technology. She initially studied analytical science at the Institute and graduated with an honours degree in environmental science. She undertook some lecturing in chemistry at Institute of Technology Carlow while pursuing her PhD. ‘My years at Institute of Technology Carlow challenged me, both intellectually and socially,’ she commented. ‘I never thought I’d be able to present in front of a large crowd like I am today.’
Zamiya Mooge, who graduated last November with a BA (Hons) in Applied Social Studies and is currently studying for a master’s degree, also spoke of her student years. ‘Institute of Technology Carlow showed me how to find my place in the world and also helped me find volunteering. It taught me to challenge things, to research and think and to motivate others to do the same.’
Zamiya, who was last year awarded the President’s Volunteer Award, has volunteered with various groups, including the African Diaspora Youth Network in Europe, The National Youth Council as an ambassador for the No Hate Speech movement and with Youth Platform Project in Ireland.
For further information on studying at Institute of Technology Carlow, visit www.itcarlow.ie