IT SLIGO ALL SET FOR 50TH BIRTHDAY

IT Sligo will celebrate its 50 th birthday in 2020 and the college has organised a year-long programme of key events to mark the milestone.The programme includes: a UN Conference on Artificial Intelligence; a performance by the RTE Concert Orchestra; publication of a commemorative book; new sculptures on the campus by former staff member and sculptor of international significance Fred Conlon; alumni reunions and events; a series of conferences on how technology, policy and practice is changing across key sectors in the region; engagement with schools and the community; science, creative and engineering showcases, and other events.

“Over the 50 years,” says Dr. Chris O’Malley, Vice President and coordinator of the programme, “we have progressed from being an RTC with 100 students to being today an Institute of Technology with 7,000 students with graduates across all levels.

“We had ten graduates in our first year, and this year we had ten graduates with Doctorates, out of 1,700 graduates in total.

“In that time, the Institute has grown in terms of scale, facilities and in reputation to being recognised as one of Ireland’s leading Institutes of Technology. It has been a leading driver of development over that time in the Northwest region, in terms of society, economy and culture.” The year of celebrations will be an acknowledgement of the achievements of the Institute, and provide a platform to promote the Institute as a place of learning.

In addition to specific events, the anniversary will also see legacy projects that will materially contribute to its ongoing development as an engine for transformation in the region.

Dr. Brendan McCormack, President of IT Sligo, said: “Next year will be a landmark year for the Institute when we will celebrate 50 years and it will mark a decisive stage on the road towards Technological University status. We are very grateful to partners, especially in the County Council, Chamber of Commerce and other parts of industry, who have supported us in putting this programme together.”A full list of events can be found at www. itsligo.ie/fifty

Pic: Donal Hackett Christmas Party Night at The Sligo Park Hotel: (Curry NS) Laura Mullarkey, Niamh Leonard, Michelle Brogan, Mariead Toolan, Pauline McGann.

Dr. Chris O’Malley, Vice President and coordinator of the 50th programme; Dr Brendan McCormack, President of IT Sligo, Former President of IT Sligo; Dr. Breandán Mac Conamhna and Joe Cox, Retired member of staff at IT Sligo and Chairperson of the 50th Anniversary Committee.

Dr. Chris O’Malley, Anita Watts, Technical Advisor on sculpture installation; Kathleen Conlon, (widow of artist Fred Conlon) with Dr Brendan McCormack at the unveiling of a sculpture by the late Mr Conlon, who helped set up the art department in IT Sligo. The sculture named “Tobergeal, Bright Well” was produced in 1989 to mark W.B. Yeat’s 50th anniversary of his death was donated by Mr Conlon’s family to IT Sligo to mark its 50th anniversary.