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LifeVolume 3 | Number 1 | January 2011
AIT – FORTY YEARS A GROWIN’AlookbackatthesignificanteventsinAIT’shistoryoverthepastfourdecades
AN ARTS DEGREE FOR THE MODERN ERAFiftyyearssinceAthlonewasatthecentreofaliterarystorm,anewartsdegreecombinesourcreativeheritagewithourcommunicationsfuture
BREAKTHROUGH IN BATTLE AGAINST MRSAResearchintotheuseofnovelpulsedlighttechnologyinthefightagainsthospitalinfectionsisshowingpositiveresults
NEW INDOOR SPORTING ARENAAIT’snewindoorsportsarenarepresentsamajorinvestmentintheeducationalandsportinginfrastructureoftheregion
www.ait.ie
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3 WelcomefromthePresidentofAIT
4 AIT–FortyYearsaGrowin’
6 AnArtsDegreefortheModernEra
7 NewDegreeinTourismandGuestServicesManagement
SmartThinkinginTourism
8 EngineersIrelandAccreditsCivilEngineeringHonoursDegree
9 NovelMeansofDeliveryofDrugsBeingInvestigatedatAIT
10 AITRelaunchesitsDegreeinPharmaceuticalSciences
11 NewApplicationtoReduceInfectioninHealthCareSettingsTestedatAIT
12 InsidetheArtCollection
14 AITRecognisesExcellenceinBusinessamongJuniorCertificateStudents
15 AITSelectsTeamtoParticipateinNewstalkStudentEnterpriseCompetition
16 FocusonAlumni
18 AITAmongstTopPerformingCollegesforInnovationPartnerships
KnotaProblem!
19 LearningtheBusinessofSport
PartnershipbetweenAITandAllianzWorldwideCare
20 ExperienceofThird-LevelStudentswithDisabilityPublishedinReport
21 ExploringwhatChinahastoOffer
22 NewIndoorSportingArena:AMajorInvestmentforAIT
23 EnsuringWinningWays
AITLifeVolume3Number1
AITLifeAthloneInstituteofTechnologyDublinRoadAthloneCoWestmeathTel+353(0)906468000Webwww.ait.ie
EditorBrianLynchTel+353(0)[email protected]
Cover photographStudentswalkinginthelinkcorridortowardstheBusinessSchool
Table of Contents
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Anyonewhohasvisitedourcampusoverthepastcoupleofyearswillhavebeenstruckbythechangingnatureofthestudentpopulation.Firstly,therearemorestudentsherethanatanytimeinthepast.Secondly,thestudentpopulationismuchmorediversethanhaseverbeenthecase.Over20percentofourstudentsisclassifiedasmature,andthese‘returned’learnersbringwiththemanexperienceoftheworkplacethatistothebenefitofall.ThethirdchangeisinrelationtothegrowingpopulationofinternationalstudentsatAIT.Thisnumberhasbeenincreasingsteadilysince2000,andnowaccountsforsome400learnersdrawnfromthefourcornersoftheglobe.Intandemwiththis,weareofferinganincreasingnumberofopportunitiesforourIrishstudentstostudyatoneofourinternationalpartnercolleges.
Asalways,eachspringbringswithitthepressureofcollegeandcoursechoices.Thesearenoteasydecisionstomakeanditisunderstandablethatprospectivestudentsandtheirparents/families,guidancecounsellorsandalleducationprofessionals,wanttodoallthatispossibletomakesurethatthe‘right’decisionsaremade.Forthisreason,wehavefocusedinthecurrentissueofAIT Lifeonsomeournewandinnovativedegreeprogrammes.TheserepresentjustahandfulofthecoursesthatareonofferthroughtheCAO,butIhopethattheygiveyouaflavourofwhattheseparticularprogrammesentail.
Thereisobviouslymuchelseherebesides,includingalookbackatfourdecadesofAITintheMidlands,informationaboutsomeofourresearchactivity,anupdateonwhatanumberofourgraduatesaredoing,andalookaheadtothenewindoorsportsarena.
Finally,inthisourfortiethyear,Iwouldliketoexpressmypersonalgratitudetoallthosewhohavesupportedtheinstitutesinceourfoundation.Countlessthousandshavepassedthroughthesehalls,eachcontributingintheirownwaytomakingAITasuccessstoryofIrishhighereducation.Letuscontinuetomakehistory,consciousofthelastingimpactoftheworkthatwedo.
Beirbua.
ProfessorCiaránÓCatháin
President of AIT, Prof. Ciarán Ó Catháin pictured with the Governor of TVTC, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr Ali Al-Ghafis
Welcome from the PresidentRecent months have offered little escape from an unrelenting diet of doom and gloom. It seems that for every corner turned, there is an unpleasant surprise waiting to rob us of any creeping sense of confidence. Despite the negativity, however, there is still much to be positive about in this country. Not least in this counter narrative is the story of higher education and the impact which it is having on many people’s lives.
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AthloneInstituteofTechnologybeganlifein1970
asaregionaltechnicalcollege.Itwasthefirsttoopenofadozensuchinstitutionsestablishedbythegovernmentto‘fillgapsintheindustrialmanpowerstructure,particularlyinthetechnicianarea’.InitiallythecollegewasunderthemanagementoftheCountyWestmeathVocationalEducationalCommittee,butwithitsownmanagementboard.Thefoundingdirector,DrDavidFenton,broughtgreatdriveandenthusiasmtohistaskandlaiddownfirmandenduringqualitystandards,notleastinthemaintenanceandpresentationofbuildingsandgrounds.Additionalenhancementwasprovidedbytheestablishmentofanartcollectionin1975.
Inthefirstdecadestudentnumbersgrewslowly,butinthe1980s,withtheintroductionoffinancialsupportfromtheEuropeanSocialFundandincreasedawarenessofthevalueofthird-leveleducationaspreparationforaworthwhilecareer,therewasadramaticandsustainedincreaseinenrolment,bringingthecurrentstudentbodytomorethan6,000.Staffnumbersatalllevelsalsoincreasedfromaninitialhandfultoacurrenttotalofalmost700.
Attheoutsettheworkofthecollegewasdividedbetweenthreedepartments,taskedwiththeprovisionofasuiteofcertificateanddiplomaprogrammesinthedisciplinesofbusiness,engineeringandscience.Thestructureandcontentofprogrammeswasdevelopedincloseconsultationwithindustryandprofessionalbodies.Eachprogrammewasthenvalidatedbyanexpertpanel,appointedbytheNationalCouncilforEducationalAwards,thebodythatalsoappointedexternalexaminersandconferredqualifications.
Revised StructuresAsthecollegegrewandmatured,theseearlyarrangementsweregraduallyreplacedbyrevisedstructures.VECcontrolendedin1993,whenthecollegebecameanautonomousinstitution.Administrationwasstrengthenedbythecreationoftheofficesofregistrar,financialcontrollerandheadofdevelopment.Programmeswererevisedandlaboratoriesequippedtotakefullaccountoftheinformationtechnologyrevolution.Whilethecommitmenttotechnicalandtechnologicaleducationwasretained,thecollegeinmanyareashadadvancedwellbeyondtheprovisionoftechnicians.Primarydegreeprogrammeswereintroducedatordinary
andhonourslevelsandweresoonwidelyavailable.Theselaidthefoundationforawardsatmaster’sanddoctorallevels,asresearchactivitygrew,mostnotably(butnotexclusively)inbioscience,materialsandsoftwareengineering.
Name ChangeIn1998thesedevelopmentswererecognisedbyanamechangetoAthloneInstituteofTechnology.In2004theHigherEducationandTrainingAwardsCouncil,whichhadsupersededNCEAin1999,delegatedtoAITthepowertoconferitsownHETAC-accredited,primarydegreeawards.Thegrowthinstudentnumbersandtheproliferationofprogrammesnecessitatedthere-designationofthethreeoriginaldepartmentsasschools,eachsubdividedintoanumberofdepartments.AnewSchoolofHumanitieswasaddedin2001.
Growthandincreasedspecialisationnecessitatedconsiderableremodelingandenlargementoftheoriginal1970campus,andtheprovisionofnewpurpose-builtbuildingsforsportandrecreation(1991),hospitalitystudies(2003),nursingandhealthcare(2005)andengineeringandinformatics(2010).Sportsfacilitieswereenhancedbythedevelopmentoffootballpitches,afitnesssuiteand
AIT – Forty Years a Growin’DrHarmanMurtagh,visitingfellowandretiredlawlecturer,retracesinbriefthehistoryofAthloneInstituteofTechnology
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theadditionin2008ofahigh-qualityathleticsarenathatimmediatelybecamethevenueforthenationalfinalsoftheHSECommunityGames.Instituteteamshaveenjoyedmanysuccesses.Studentserviceswereputinplaceorimproved,includinglibrary,IT,dining,chaplaincy,counselling,catering,health,disabilitysupport,peermentoringandcareers.Asocialcentrewasbuilt.
Theinstitutewasagainfortunateinitsseconddirector,nowpresident,ProfessorCiaránÓCatháin.Anacknowledgedexpertonthemanagementofchange,hebroughtbothenergyandadeptnesstotheinstitute’snever-endingengagementwiththeprocessesofrenewal,modernisationanddevelopment.Oneofhismostsuccessfulinitiativeshasbeentoincreasetheenrolmentofoverseasstudents,especiallyChinese,whonowapproachtenpercentofthefull-timestudentcohort.
Regional RoleAIThasalwaysemphasizeditsregionalobligations.Theachievementoffamousmidlanders,suchasthe
scholarsofClonmacnois,OliverGoldsmith,the3rdEarlofRosse,DouglasHydeandJohnCountMcCormackisacknowledgedonthecampus.Thepresenceoftheinstituteisasignificantengineofeconomicgrowthintheregionandastimulustoinvestment.Approximatelyhalfitsfull-timestudent
cohortcomesfromthemidlands.Theinstitutealsoprovidesarangeofpart-timeadultandcontinuingeducationprogrammes,eveninganddaytime,tofacilitatestudentswhoareatwork.Thedemandfortheseprogrammeshascontinuedtogrow,reflectingagreaterawarenessofthevalueoflifelonglearning.In2005adedicatedfacilityforcollaboratingwithhigh-potential,start-upbusinesseswasopenedoncampus,makingavailabletheresourcesandexpertiseoftheinstitutetosupportclientcompanies.Innumerousways,staffandgraduateshavecontributedenormouslytotheeconomic,socialandculturallifeoftheregionandparticipatedinitscontributiontonational,andindeedinternational,life.
Group of catering supervisors, 1975
Dates for the Diary
11 February 2011Fortieth anniversary black tie dinner
29 March 2011Distinguished fellowship conferral ceremony
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Itwillbe50yearsin2011sinceAthlonewasthrownintotheliteraryspotlightwiththe
publicationofJohnBroderick’sThe PilgrimagewhichwasbannedbytheCensorshipBoard.BroderickisjustoneofanumberofartistswhoseworkswillfeatureinthenewBA(Hons)inSocietyandCommunications,tocommenceinAITinSeptember2011.
TheMidlandshasnotfiguredintheliteraryorartisticpantheoninthesamewayastheWestofIreland,butAITisdeterminedthatthegraduatesofthisinnovativenewBAprogrammewillbeconversantwiththewriters,film-makersandartistswhohaveshapedtheirownarea,fromGoldsmithinthe18thcenturytothenewtalentsofartistslikeKenWardrop,directorofthehighlyacclaimedHis & Hers.Thisappreciationwillhelptoinculcateconfidence,prideandasenseofcommunityintheMidlandsheritage,elementswhichhavelongbeenlackinginthelessfavouredBorder,MidlandsandWest(BMW)regionandwhichareregardedasfundamentaltoinnovation,socialandeconomicrevival.
Unique as an Arts DegreeTheBAinSocietyandCommunicationscanclaimtobeuniqueasanartsdegreeinthataswellascoveringmanyofthetraditionalstrengthsofbroad-basedcoursesaimedatthedevelopmentofgraduateswithstrongtransferableskills,thoseacceptedonthecoursewillalsobenefitfromthepracticalorientationmorecommonlyassociatedwiththeeducationprovidedbyinstitutesoftechnology.Graduateswillbehighlypolishedinallaspectsofcommunication,expertintheuseofthenewsocialmedia,trainedinproblemsolvingandteamwork,exposedtothepsychologyofinterpersonalrelationsandespecially,groundedthroughpracticalexperienceoftheworkplacebyvirtueofanextensiveplacementelementinthethirdyearoftheprogramme.Theywillalsobenefitfromthehighlyfavourablestaff-studentratiooftheIoTsectorandwillthusbelesslikelytosufferthefateofmanyuniversityartsstudentswhocanlosetheirwayinoverlylargeclassgroups.
EmployershavehighlycommendedtheskillsetprovidedbythisBAsayingthatitwillimprovethequalityofnewentrantstotheworkforceandwillprovidethemwithsmart,adaptable,culturedandsociallyadeptpeoplewhowillbeanassetinanynumberofroles.TheskillsetalsocorrespondsstronglywiththoserecentlyprojectedbyForfásandotherstateagenciesasvitaltoeconomicrecovery.
An Arts Degree for the Modern EraDr Marian FitzgibbonHead of School of Humanities
Surf directly to the web page for this degree using the QR code below
> AL055 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Society and Communications
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NEW DEGREE IN TOURISM AND GUEST SERVICES MANAGEMENTSuccessivereportshavepointedtotheimportanceofmanagementtraininginthetourismindustryinIreland.AIThasaveryimportantroletoplayintheeducationandtrainingoffuturemanagersforthetourismandhospitalityindustryintheMidlandsandfurtherafield.TheDepartmentofHospitality,TourismandLeisureStudiesisintroducinganewthree-yearBAinTourismandGuestServicesManagement,whichwillcommenceinSeptember2011.
Thisprogrammebuildsonkeystrengthsofthedepartmentwhereexpertiseandstrongsynergiesintourism/hospitality,sport,recreationandleisure,havebeendevelopedovertheyears.Thedepartmentalreadyoffersanumberofnicheprogrammesinspamanagementandinhotelandleisuremanagement.Additionally,itmeetstheneedsoflocalindustrybyprovidinganumberofday-releaseinitiatives.Coupledwiththis,thedepartmenthasstronglinkswithindustrythroughitsextensiveprogrammeofplacements.
TheBachelorofArtsinTourismandGuestServicesManagement(Level7)willgivestudentstheknowledge,skillsandcompetenciesnecessaryforemploymentinmanagementand/orsupportpositionsinthefrontoffice,hospitalityandtourismindustry.Italsoopensupopportunitiesforfurtheracademicstudyinthisorrelatedareas.
Thisprogrammeprovidesamodern,academicallyrigorousandindustryrelevanteducationalexperience.Thescopeoftheprogrammecoverscustomerservice,operations,andmanagementoftourismresources,enterprisesand/orresortsinamoderndynamicbusinessenvironment.Thisnewcourseiscreativeandhastakencognisanceofdevelopmentsintheindustry,educationandstudentdiversity.
SMART THINKING IN TOURISM
On15June,AITwillhosttheannualTourismHospitalityResearchinIrelandConference(THRIC).Thethemeoftheconferencethisyearis‘Smartthinkingintourism’.
Theconferencewillexploreavarietyofsub-themes,includingbusinessmanagement,SMTEsincludingfamily-runtourismandhospitalitybusinesses,e-tourism,tourismpartnershipsandnetworking,thenewtourismconsumeranddestinationbrandmanagementandtourismmarketing.
ThekeynotespeakerisMelanieSmith,AssociateProfessoratCorvinusUniversity,Budapest.Heraddresswillfocusonthedevelopmentofmorecreativeandexperientialformsoftourism,withanemphasisonnicheformsoftourism.
[email protected] #thric.ait
Surf directly to the web page for this degree using the QR code below
> AL045 Bachelor of Arts in Tourism and Guest Services Management
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Educationincivilengineeringreceivedatimelyboostwith
thenewsthatAIT’sBachelorofEngineering(Honours)inCivilEngineeringprogrammehasreceivedfullaccreditationfromEngineersIreland.Thisrecognitionfromtheprofessionalbodydeemssuccessfulgraduatesfromthecoursetohaveachievedtheeducationalrequirementnecessaryforthetitle‘CharteredEngineer’andisasignificantmilestoneinthedeliveryofcivilengineeringeducationinthemidlandsregion.
Thegrantingoftheaccreditationisforafive-yeartermandwillalsoapplyretrospectivelytograduatesfromthecoursesince2008.
TheBEng(Honours)inCivilEngineeringdegree
wasdevelopedin2006asatwo-yearadd-ontotheexistinglevel7programmesofferedbytheDepartmentofCivil,Construction&MineralEngineering.Notwithstandingthewell-publicisedcurrentdownturninconstructionandrelatedprofessions,thisparticularcourseisgoingagainstnationaltrendsinincreasingitsstudentnumbersyearonyear.Fromsevenstudentsin2006,therearecurrently33studentsenrolledfull-timeontheprogramme.
International RecognitionThisrecognitionfromEngineersIrelandisparticularlyimportanttograduatesintimesofincreasingcompetitionforjobsinIreland.Moreover,thisoffersinternationalrecognitionworldwidethroughtheWashington
Accord–amajorinternationalagreementcoveringmutualrecognitionofthirdlevelengineeringqualifications–andthusoffersgreateremploymentpotentialtograduates.
New Faculty BuildingTheannouncementoftheachievementofaccreditationfromEngineersIrelandcomeshotontheheelsofthemovebytheSchoolofEngineeringtoabrandnewstate-of-the-art10,500sq.m.dedicatedfacultybuilding.Thelecturingandlaboratoryfacilitiesofferedinthisnewhomeforengineeringareamongthefinestinthecountryandfacilitateworldclassteachingandresearch,afactacknowledgedbythevisitingpanelfromEngineersIreland.
Welcomingtheannouncement,Austin
Hanley,HeadofSchoolofEngineering,commented:‘ThisisaprouddayfornotonlytheDepartmentofCivil,ConstructionandMineralEngineering,butfortheSchoolofEngineeringandtheinstituteasawhole.Itputstheprogrammeonaparwithuniversitiesandensuresworldwideprofessionalrecognition.Itwillprovideourgradateswithevenmoreconfidencethattheirqualificationswillberecognisedbyemployersbothathomeandabroad.Particularthanksisduetotheprogrammeleader,DrPaulArchboldandallthestaffinvolvedinthedevelopmentanddeliveryofthisprogramme.’
TheDepartmentofCivil,ConstructionandMineralEngineeringhasdevelopedconsiderablyinrecentyears
Engineers Ireland Accredits Civil Engineering Honours Degree
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andcurrentlyoffersprogrammesincivilengineeringandconstruction-relateddisciplinesatalllevels,fromhighercertificateuptoMaster’sandPhD.
FergalSweeney,HeadofDepartment,hopesthattheannouncementwillencourageprospectivestudentstoconsidercivilengineeringandconstructionprogrammeswhendecidingontheircollegeoptionsdespiterecentnegativecoverageoftheindustry.
Hesaid:‘Civilengineersandconstructionprofessionalswillalwaysberequiredinordertodesign,constructandmanageinfrastructuraldevelopments,whicharenecessaryinanyfunctioningsociety.Aqualificationincivilengineeringorconstructionmanagementcanpreparegraduatesforsuccessfulcareerswithintheindustryorinotherchosenfields.Further,highlyqualifiedprofessionalswillcontributesubstantiallytothegovernment’sfetedknowledgeeconomythroughdirectindustryinvolvementandthroughcarryingoutcuttingedgeresearch.HereatAIT,wecanofferinternationallyrecognisedtaughtprogrammesatalllevelsandarewell-positionedtobuildonourcurrentstatusasoneoftheprimeresearchinstitutesinthecivilengineeringdomain.’
ResearchatAITintonovelmeansofdeliveryofdrugshasthepotentialtomaketreatmentofpatientsmoreeffectiveandreduceunpleasantsideeffects.
PrincipalinvestigatorDrMichaelNugentiscurrentlyleadingacollaborativeresearchprojectbetweenAITandFreundPharmatectodevelopacommerciallyviabledrugreleasesystem.Theprojectispart-fundedbyEnterpriseIreland.
AccordingtoDrNugent:‘Thesmarteconomyneedssmartmaterials;AIT’stechnologycanbedefinedassmartinthesensethatitreactsinadistinctivemannertodiversesituations.Inmuchthesamewayasplantsopenandclosetheirleaveswithchanginglightconditions,wecanmanipulateourmaterials’behaviourindifferentpartsofthebody.Thishasapplicationsintermsofdrugdeliverytechnologyandbuildsontheknow-howandexpertisepresentinbothAITandFreundPharmatec.’
DrNugentexplained:‘Ifapersonissufferingfromamedicalconditionandthedoctorprescribesdrugs,thisdrugwillbeahigherconcentrationthanrequiredbecausethebodywillbreakdownthedrugbeforeitreachesitstarget.Targeteddrugdeliverymeansthatthedrugconcentrationcanbeatlowerlevelsandthetreatmentcanbemoreeffective.Lowerconcentrationsofdrugsmeansareductioninunpleasantsideeffects.’
FreundCorporationistheleadingpharmaceuticalequipmentsupplierinJapan,employingover300peopleinJapanandtheUS.FreundPharmatecopeneditsnewEuropeanhubinTullamore,CoOffalyin2010,withthecreationof25highqualityjobs.TheprimaryfocusofthejobscreatedinTullamoreisinnewdrugdeliverytechnologiesandclinicaltrialmanufacturing,aswellasanumberofpositionsinmarketing/salesofpharmaceuticalequipmentandexcipients.
NOVEL MEANS OF DELIVERY OF DRUGS BEING INVESTIGATED AT AIT
An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen TD, is pictured at the opening of Freund Pharmatec’s European hub in Tullamore last year. Also pictured are representatives of the company, the IDA and AIT’s President, Prof. Ó Catháin.
Improving Patient Care
Surf directly to the web page for this degree using the QR code below
> Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil Engineering
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ThePharmaChemindustryisundoubtedlyIreland’smostvaluableandstableindustrial
sector.Ithadexportsof€42billionin2009andemployedmorethan25,000directly,withasimilarnumberinsupportroles.WitheightofthetoptenglobalPharmaChemcompanieslocatedhere,theindustryhasanongoingdemandforgraduates,frequentlyofferingstartingsalariesofc€28,000.Basedontheincreasingdemandforgraduateswhoarequalifiedinpharmacology,biologicalsciencesandchemistry,AthloneInstituteofTechnology(AIT)hasrevampeditshonoursdegreeinpharmaceuticalsciences.
TheBSc(Honours)inPharmaceuticalScienceswillnow:• Featurenovelstudent-centred
teachingapproaches• Integrateteachingwiththe
researchactivityofAITandindustryresearchers
• Utilisenewstate-of-the-artlaboratoryfacilities
• Comprehensivelyimpartallaspectsofproductdevelopmentactivities
• Imparthands-on,life-longskillsetsinsynthesis,formulationandanalysisofallpharmaceuticalingredients
• Uncoverthechallengesfaceddailybyindustryscientistsandpresentsolutions,aswellasmethodologiestoapplytheoptimalexperimentaldesignstoaddresssuchchallenges
• AcceptapplicationsfromholdersofappropriateLevel6andLevel7awardsforentrytoyear3andyear4asappropriate
Learn answers to fundamental questions such as:• Whyaresomedrugsaddictiveand
otherscreatenosuchdependency?• Howaredrugsnamed?• Whatdoesstrengthorpotency
mean?• Howisaspirinmade?• Howisitmadeintoatabletor
otherdosageform?• Howdoesaspirindifferfrom
ibuprofenorparacetamol?• Howdoesaspirinknowwhereto
goafterthepatientswallowsit?• IfItakeaspirinforaheadacheor
myGrantakesitforrheumatisminherlegdoesthepainfulplacecallittoitssite?
• Howisittestedandcertifiedforsafety?
• Whyaresomeothertherapiessoexpensive?
AIT Relaunches its Degree in Pharmaceutical SciencesJames RocheLecturer, Department of Life and Physical Science
A Case StudyWould Aspirin Pass Muster
Today?
In an early expression of ethno-pharmacology, a version of aspirin was extracted from the bark of the willow in medieval times for use as a painkiller. But this form was overly acidic for many uses and a more benign version is now chemically synthesized since the late 1890s. Aspirin is a widely used analgesic (painkiller) and also has antipyretic (fever reducing) and anti-inflammatory properties. Despite its longevity and simplicity (it is structurally one of the smallest drugs), it continues to surprise and was recently cited to have certain anti-cancer (colon) effects, to go with earlier reports of anti-stroke properties. It is something of an anachronism in that many experts in toxicology would agree that were aspirin to be discovered today, it would possibly fail to satisfy the strict safety criteria laid down and requiring to be satisfied prior to drug approval.
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AIT’sBSc(Hons)inPharmaceuticalScienceswillcomprehensivelyequipgraduatesfromthecoursewiththetechnicial,analyticalandsupervisoryskillsrequiredtomeetthechallangestotheIrishmultinationalandSMEpharmaceuticalsectoroverthecomingdecadeandbeyond.Thiscourseisuniqueinprovidinganintegratedplatformforthestudyofthepreparationandfateofdrugsinthebody.
What Career Paths are Open for Graduates of Pharmaceutical Sciences?PreviousgraduatesarecurrentlyconductingPhDandMScresearchin:• Pharmacognosy• Forensicanthropology• Formulationdevelopment• Pharmaceuticalanalysis
Theyarealsoinfull-timeemploymentas:• Syntheticchemists• Activepharmaceuticalingredient
characterisation• Preformulationscreening• Chromatographicscientists• Toxicologyandbioanalytical
specialists
Surf directly to the web page for this degree using the QR code below
> AL053 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Pharmaceutical Sciences
AcollaborativeresearchteamfromAthloneInstituteofTechnology(AIT)andNationalUniversityofIreland,Galway(NUIG)havetestedapulsedlightapproachthatcoulddisinfectandsterilisemedicalinstruments,devicesandsurfaces.
Thisisthefirsttimesuchatechnologyhasbeenappliedinahealthcaresetting.ItisparticularlyeffectiveatkillingMRSAstrains.
Accordingtothedirectorofthebiomedicalandhealthscienceresearchgroup,DrNeilRowan,“Thegrowingprevalenceofhospital-acquiredinfectionsincreasestheneedtoexaminenewapproachestosteriliseanddisinfect.Whilepulsedlighthasbeenusedbeforeasameansofdecontaminatingfood,packaging,airandwater,itwasneverappliedinthehealthcaresetting.Thisisasignificantdevelopmentandamajorpublichealthresearchproject.”
Pulsed-powertechnologiesareanewapproachtotargeteddeliveryofenergy.Theycanusethatenergyasalightorgasinordertokillgerms.
Researcherstestedtheresponseofavarietyofgerms,includingMRSA,tothepulsedpowertechnologyunderfixedconditionsinalab.Thisprovidedagoodbaselineagainstwhichtheycouldtesthowthegermsrespondedtopulsedlightunderdifferentphysical,chemicalandbiologicalconditions.
Therewasarapidandrepeatedreductionofallgermsoncontactsurfacesandintheairincomparisontoconventionaldisinfectionmethods.Theteamwentontodiscoverthatoncetreatedwiththepulsedpowergermswerenotabletoinfecthumancelllines.
Thistechniquehasmajorpotentialasamethodofsterilisationanddisinfectioninhospitalsettings.AccordingtoDrRowan:‘Itcouldhelptopreventinfectionwhichwouldimpactpositivelyonpatientoutcomesandreducecostsassociatedwiththeconsequencesoftreatinginfection.’
TheresearchprojectisfundedbytheHealthResearchBoardandisprofiledinthecurrentissueofPicture of Health 2010,whichhasjustbeenpublishedandcanbeaccessedatwww.hrb.ie.
New Application to Reduce Infection in Health Care Settings Tested at AIT
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Withover170worksbymodernIrishartists,AthloneInstituteofTechnology
hasthelargestartcollectionofanyinstituteoftechnologyinthecountry.Establishedin1975,thecollectionhasbeengenerouslysupportedbytheArtsCouncil’sjoint-purchasescheme,thegovernment’sper-cent-for-artprogramme,andprivateandcorporatedonors,includingAITStudents’Union.
Thestark,modernistinteriorsoftheinstitute’smainbuildingsofferanidealhangingspacethatisparticularlyhospitabletocontemporaryart.Thecollectionismethodicallyintegratedintotheinstitute’sbustlingandcrowdedenvironment,offeringcolourandvisualstimulationtothemostcasual
observer,whileposing–ateveryturn–intellectual,aestheticandsensualchallengestothosewhochoosetolookmoreclosely.
Amongstthelargestandmoststrikingworksaretheexternalsculptures:EileenMcDonagh’slimestoneAllegoryandJohnBehan’stotemicmetalFish.Majorinteriorworks,commissionedthroughopencompetition,include
DouglasMooney’slight-responsiveglassandsteelsculptureDichroic planes,JamesHayes’three-parthangingsculptureSierpinski’s growthinthenewEngineeringandInformaticsBuildingandAliceMaher’sLandmark,agiantgoldenaxeburiedinthewalloftheHospitality,TourismandLeisureStudiesBuilding.
PaintersrepresentedincludeBarryCooke,withasomberandintrospectiveSleeping figure,MartinGalewiththreeiconicoils,The artichoke window,Outbackandarareinterior,Armchair traveller,andthetechnicallyaccomplishedCareyClarke,withtheatmosphericandbeautifulJune morning Bourgougnague Lot-et-Garonne.LouisleBrocquy,nowinhisninety-fifthyear,isrepresentedbyessentialimagesofourgreatestwriters–his‘head’series-includingJoyce,Synge,YeatsandBeckett.UrbanlandscapesareprovidedbysuchworksasJohnDoherty’sbrilliantlycrispAngles,DonalTeskey’smulti-facetedandexpressionistPolling dayandBernadetteMadden’sdelicatelycolouredbatik,Lower Baggot Street.
OtherimportantartistsrepresentedincludeGeorgeCampbell,RobertBallagh,ConstanceShort(whoseworkhereincorporatesapoemhandwrittenbyitsauthor,PaulDurcan),MickO’Dea
Inside the Art CollectionDrHarmanMurtagh,visitingfellowandcuratoroftheartcollection
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(whoseportraitofMichealÓSiadhailalsoincorporatesapoembythesitter),WilliamCrozier,ColinMiddleton,CharlesHarper,JaneO’Malley,PatrickHarris,JaquelineStanley,PaulFunge,FelimEgan,JamesHanley,theexplosivelygiftedMichaelMulcahyandthebrilliant
printmaker,thelateMaryFarlPowers.Whatenlivensthisby-no-meansexhaustivelististheopportunitytoseeworkbyrarelyseenpainterssuchasRosaleenDavey–thepastelcalledMaternityisafineexampleofhermetaphysicalstyle.ThereisalsoalargeprintcalledCumulusbyBrendanNeiland,formerKeeperoftheRoyalAcademyinLondon.UpandcomingartistsincludePaulDoran,MarkO’KellyandCorbanWalker.
AmongstthepicturesonloanfromLukeWhitingtonisalargeConstructionbyNeilGall,recentlyre-hunginthenewEngineeringBuilding.
Localprofessionalartistsarealsorepresentedinthecollection:MichaelCasey,AnnaMarieLeavy,MargoMcNulty,SheilaHough,AnneRigneyandMareeBannon.
RecentadditionstothecollectionincludePaulineBewick’ssensualVisual translation of Brian Merriman’s The Midnight Court,YannisSoutvatzogolou’ssculptureAphrodite figuredonatedin
memoryofCaoimheFeerick-Ryan,astudentwhodiedtragicallyinamotoraccident,andsixworksbySeanFingleton,formerlyonloantoIMMA,andnowgenerouslylenttoAITbyMrWhitington.
ArevisededitionofThe Modern Irish Art Collection,acatalogueofAIT’sartcollection,editedbyDrHarmanMurtaghandKateBatemanwillbepublishedinFebruary2011.
Image credits:Centre:OutbackbyMartinGaleTopleft:Poppies IIbyWilliamCrozierBottomleft:Aphrodite figure by YannisSoutvatzogolouTopright:UntitledbyPaulDoran
Inside the Art CollectionDrHarmanMurtagh,visitingfellowandcuratoroftheartcollection
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Threeyearago,AIT’sBusinessSchoolintroducedthe
JuniorCertificateAwards,aninitiativethatrecognisesacademicexcellenceinJuniorCertificateexaminationsforsecondlevelstudents.StudentswhoreceivedanAgradeintheBusinessStudies(Higher)subjectintheJuniorCertificatearerecognisedataspecialawardsceremonyhostedbytheinstitute.
Inthefirstyear,25schoolsand118students,togetherwiththeirparents,businessstudiesteachersandschoolprincipalsattendedtheawardsceremonyandwerepresentedwithascroll/certificateofachievement.In2010,thatnumberhadrisento40participating
schoolswith194students.Theoccasionhasbeenverysuccessfulwithpositivefeedbackforallinvolved.Guestspeakeratthe2010ceremonywasBrendaShanahan,winnerofthefirstseriesofThe ApprenticeonTV3.Drawingonherbusinessexperience,Brendaspokeabouttheimportanceofmotivationandtakingtheinitiativeinordertobesuccessful.OriginallyfromPortumna,CoGalway,shestudiedfrontofficemanagementinAITintheearlynineties,beforeenteringtheworldofemploymentwithaGalwayhotel.Havingwonthepopularbusinessskillscompetitionin2008,BrendaisnowChiefOperationsDirectorwithBillCullen’sGlencullenGroup.
Attheceremony,HeadoftheDepartmentofBusinessStudies,PeterMelinn,saidthat:‘Incongratulatingtheawardrecipients,AITalsowishestoacknowledgethepartplayedintheirsuccessbyparentsandguardians,otherfamilymembersandtheteacherswhoguidedtheirlearningandhelpedtomotivatethestudentstowardstheirachievementinthebusinessstudiesexam.’HehopedtheexcellentresultwhichthestudentsgainedintheJuniorCertificatewould‘inspirethemtocontinuetodotheirbestandfulfiltheirpotentialintheyearsahead’.
ThePresidentoftheBusinessStudiesTeachersAssociationofIreland,MaryO’Sullivan,also
commendedthestudentsontheirachievements.Shespokeaboutthevalueandimportanceofstudyingbusinessatsecondlevelandhowitofferedthepotentialforexcitingandrewardingcareers.
AccordingtoEdelDaly,astudentatMoateCommunityCollege:‘IwasveryhappytoreceivetheJuniorCertBusinessStudiesAwardfromAIT,asIhaveaninterestinthesubject,andamconsideringacareerinbusinesswhenIfinishschool.Onthenightoftheawards,guestspeakerBrendaShanahantalkedofherownexperiencesandthehardworkneededtobesuccessful.IalsofoundoutaboutthefacilitiesandcoursesAIThastooffer.’
AIT Recognises Excellence in Business among Junior Certificate Students
Students from Athlone Community College: Back Row Jack Quilty (Athlone Credit Union), Louise Connolly (Teacher), John Finnerty, Dermot Donnelly, Robert, Eastwood, Laura Finneran, Chris-topher Chong, Niamh Campbell, Sorcha Mc Manus, Caoilainn Scouler, Claire Connaughton, Eileen Donohoe (Principal), David Keane, Rebecca Wilson, Kellie SheriffFront Row: Luke Fannon, Azeez Adagun, Shane Lennon, Fiachra Lennon, Niamh Watson, Mairead Mulry, Aoife Coyle, Aine Brennan, Caroline Dowl-ing, Conal Sheeran, Brian Murphy, Rory O Sullivan, Eoin Langan
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Thefulllistingofschoolswhoparticipatedin2010is:
Cavan:BailieboroughCommunityCollege;RoyalSchool,Cavan;andLoretoCollege,Cavan.
Galway:ÁrdscoilMhuire,Ballinasloe;GortCommunitySchool;HolyRosaryCollege,Mountbellew;MercyCollege,Woodford;PortumnaCommunitySchool;PresentationCollege,Athenry;PresentationCollege,Tuam;StBrigid’sVocationalSchool,Loughrea;StBrigid’s,ConventofMercy,Tuam;StJarlath’sCollege,TuamandStKillian’s,NewInn,Ballinasloe.
Longford:CnocMhuireSecondarySchool,Granard;LanesboroCommunityCollege;MeánscoilMhuire,Longford;andStMel’sCollege,Longford.
Offaly:ÁrdScoilChiaráinNaofa,Clara;BanagherCollege/ColáistenaSionna;ColáisteNaomhCormac,Kilcormac;GallenCommunitySchool,Ferbane;KillinaPresentationSecondarySchool,Rahan;SacredHeartSchool,Tullamore;andStBrendan’sCommunitySchool,Birr.
Roscommon: AbbeyCommunityCollege,Boyle;CastlereaCommunitySchool;CBS,Roscommon;ConventofMercy,RoscommonandScoilMhuire,Strokestown.
Westmeath: AthloneCommunityCollege;ColáisteMhuire,Mullingar ;LoretoCollege,Mullingar ;MaristCollege,Athlone;MoateCommunitySchool;OurLady’sBower,Athlone;StAloysiusCollege,Athlone;StJoseph’sCollege,Summerhill;StJoseph’sSecondarySchool,Rochfortbridge;andWilson’sHospitalSchool,Multyfarnham.
Students from St Mel’s, LongfordBack row: Damien Cunningham (Principal), Mark Neville, Dermot Brady, Hugh Farrell, Matt Hynes (Business Studies Teacher), Eoin LanganFront row: Stephen Mc Loughlin, Brenda Shanahan and Daniel Sullivan
FollowingthelocalfinaloftheNewstalkStudentEnterpriseCompetitionatAIT,ateamofstudentshasbeenchosentorepresenttheinstituteatthenationalsemi-finalofthecompetitioninFebruary.
ThestudentsthatmakeupthewinningteamareNikitaDementiev,EllenRodekuhr,InkenRodekuhrandArdanHennessy.ThefourstudentsareallundertakingtheBachelorofBusiness(Honours)degree.NikitaandArdanhadbothattendedsecondaryschoolatStFinian’s,Mullingar,whiletwinsEllenandInkenattendedCnocMhuireSecondarySchoolinGranard.
Nowinitsfifthyear,thecompetitionisdesignedtodevelopanunderstandingofbusinessmanagementandpromoteearly-stageentrepreneurshipamongthirdlevelstudents.Usingacasestudyformat,thecompetitionencouragesparticipantstoresearchcompaniesand,aspartofateam,devisesolutionstoreallifebusinessscenarios.
Duringthelocalfinal,eachteamreceivedthesamecasestudyforwhichtheyhadtodevelopasolution.Theteamthenhadtogivea30minutepresentationontheirsolutionstoapanelofjudges.Thejudgingpanelwascomprisedoflocalbusinesspeople,aswellasrepresentativesfromAIT’sBusinessSchool
TheoverallprizeforthewinningteamanditsteamcoachisastudytriptotheCaribbeanwheretheywillshadowseniorexecutivesinleadingtelecommunicationscompany,DigicelGroup.
AIT SELECTS TEAM TO PARTICIPATE IN NEWSTALK STUDENT ENTERPRISE COMPETITION
Nikita Dementiev, Ellen Rodekuhr, Inken Rodekuhr and Ardan Hennessy
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CHRIS MOLLOYCulinary Arts
Fromhischildhooddays,Banagher’sChrisMolloywaspassionateaboutcooking.Havingservedanearlyapprenticeshiphelpinghismothertobakescones,whenitcametomakingachoiceaboutwheretoattendcollege,AITwastopofthelist.Hestudiedthethree-yearculinaryartscourse,fromwhichhegraduatedin2004withdistinctionandwonthestudentoftheyearaward.
ThatpassionanddrivehasservedChriswell,ashehasnowrisentotheroleofheadchefatThePunchbowlinMayfair,London,the
celebrityrestaurantownedbyfilmdirectorGuyRitchie.
HavingwontheNationalSkillsCompetition,asastudent,Chris’firstjobaftergraduatingwasinTheWineportrestaurantinGlasson,Westmeath.NextupwasDerryClarke’sMichelinstarrestaurantinDublin,L’Ecrivain;afterwhichhemovedtoLondonandworkedforGordonRamsey,atjusttheageof23.
HethentookajobinMaze,anotherMichelinrestaurant,andalsoworkedatArsenalFC’sDiamondClub.Throughoutthesestints,Chriswasbuildingareputationasatop-classchef,soitwaslittlesurprise,whenarestaurantofthecalibreofThePunchbowlwantedhimtoheadtheirkitchens.
Chris’long-termambitionistoopenuphisownrestaurant,whilehesaysthathewouldn’trefusethechancetodohisownTVshow.
Focus on ...
... Alumni
AIT alumni are entitled to free and automatic membership of the alumni association and are also able to apply for a dedicated AIT credit card and discounted health insurance.
www.facebook.com/aitalumniassociation
ALAN REYNOLDSAccounting and Finance
AlanReynoldsgraduatedwithanhonoursdegreeinaccountingandfinancefromAIT.Aftertakingabreakfromstudyingforanumberofyears,hedecidedtopursuetheACCAqualification.Heoutlineshiscareerandwhathavinganaccountingqualificationhasmeant:
‘Icommencedmycareerinasmalltomediumsizedpractice,andhavingspentayearthere,decidedIwouldprefertopursueacareerinthefinancialservicesindustry.IspentthreeyearswithaleadingSouth
Africanassetmanagementcompany,workinginboththeirDublinandCapeTownofficeswhichgavemesuperbexperienceintermsoffundadministrationandaccountingoperations.
‘Atthatstageofmycareer,IdecidedIwantedtoconcentratesolelyonfinancialreporting.IthenjoinedJ.P.MorganBankIrelandasafinancialreportingassociateandhavebeenpromotedinsuccessiveyearstomycurrentpositionofassistantmanagerinthefinancialandregulatoryreportingteam.WorkingwithJ.P.Morgan,inafinancialreportingteamwithvastindustryandtechnicalknowledge,Ihavegainedexcellentexperienceacrossanarrayofinternationalclients,legalstructuresandaccountingconventions,engagingwithourmanystakeholdersindeliveringabestinclassservicetoourclients.’
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KELSEY McEVOYVeterinary Nursing
KelseyMcEvoy,agraduateoftheBScinVeterinaryNursingandtheBSc(Hons)inAgriculturalStudiesatAITwassuccessfulintheIrishResearchCouncilforScience,EngineeringandTechnology(IRCSET)‘EmbarkInitiative’PostgraduateScholarshipscheme2010.
Kelseyiscurrentlyundertakingdoctoralresearchintohowtostopaparticularbacteria(Cronobactermalonaticus)fromcausingdisease,underthesupervisionofDrDamienBrady,DeptofLifeandPhysicalScienceatAIT.
Thisbacteriaismostoftenfoundinpowderedmilkformulasusedtofeedinfantsandcausesveryseriousproblemssuchasmeningitis,andinfectioncancausedeath.Thebacteriaworksbyinfectingcellsintheintestinesandthentravelstothebrainorotherpartsofthebody.
Kelseyisresearchinghowtofindawayofstoppingthebacteriafrominvadingtheintestinalcells,cuttingitoffbeforeitcanevenbegintocausedisease.
Kelsey,whoisfromAthy,CoKildare,graduatedwithafirstclasshonoursdegree,BScinVeterinaryNursing,andreceivedthebeststudentaward,aprizesponsoredbyBayer.
IRCSET’s‘EmbarkInitiative’supportsbasicresearchinthebroadareasofscience,engineeringandtechnology.
DAVID BRAYCivil Engineering
CivilengineeringgraduateandMeathman,DavidBray,wasoneofthoseinvolvedinthebuildingoftheM3motorwaythroughhisnativecounty.Theinter-countyfootballersayshewasjustonememberofabiggroupofengineers,surveyors,techniciansandtradespeopleinvolvedinoneofthelargestinfrastructureprojectsinIreland.
Oneofthemoresatisfyingaspectsofaroadengineer’sjob,hesays,isseeinghowsomethingcanbetransformedfromaplanonpapertothefinishedarticle.
DavidisemployedbyRoadstone,thecompanychargedwithputtingthefinishedtarsurfaceontheM3fromDunshaughlinasfarasClonee,includingnumeroussideroadsandroundabouts.
AccordingtoDavid,‘Therearethreeorfourtechnicianswhoworkwithmeand,basically,wegivetheladsthelevels,they’llcomebehindusandbringitupwitheachlayeroftar,.’
BeforecomingtoworkforRoadstonefouryearsago,DavidworkedforMeathCountyCouncil.Neveronewhoenvisagedworkinginanoffice,Davidenjoysworkingoutdoors,playinghispartinovercomingvariouslogisticalproblemsposedbysuchachallengingventure.
MAEVE BERRYBusiness and Languages
Accordingtopublicrelationsprofessional,MaeveBerry,she‘loved’herthreeyearsinAIT.‘Itgavemegreatgroundingforlife–thecampuswasfantasticandstudentaccommodationthemostsuperiortoanyothercollegesthatIhadvisited.Acliché,butImadefriendsforlife,andtheclubsandsocietiesweresoproactivethatitmadeintegrationintostudentlife–forsomeonethatdidn’tknowanyonewhenfirstattending–veryeasy.
‘NotknowingwhatpathtofollowafterIfinishedmydiploma,itwasoneofmylecturersinAITwhointroducedmetotheworldofpublicrelations.Asourclassesweresmaller,itallowedlecturerstoreallygettoknowstudents’strengthsandweaknesses.Studyingunderherinthemarketingstreamofthecourse,sherecognisedthatmyfortewasinmarketingandmorespecificallyPR(atermorcareerIhadneverheardof!).
‘ItwasthenthecareerguidancedepartmentofthecollegethatguidedmeonmyacademicpathtoeventuallycompletingaMaster’sinpublicrelationsandnow,sixyearsafterleavingAIT,IrunasuccessfulPRcompanywhichservicesclientsalloverIreland.’
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AIThasbeennamedinthetopthreeinstitutesoftechnologyparticipatingintheInnovationPartnershipProgramme(IPP)from2007to2010.
DetailsreleasedbyEnterpriseIrelandshowthatAITcameinjointsecondplacewithDIT,havecompletednineprojectsoverthepastfouryears.WITtoppedtheinstituteoftechnologyrankingwith14projectscompletedovertheperiod.
AccordingtoBredaLynch,IndustryProgrammesManagerinAIT’sOfficeofResearch:‘Thisisanimpressiveperformanceindifficulteconomictimesgiventhattheprogrammeispart-fundedbythecollaboratingcompanies.ItreflectstheconfidencetheparticipatingcompanieshaveintheappliednatureoftheworkbytheresearchcommunityatAIT.’
AIT’sPresident,ProfessorCiaránÓCatháin,saidthat:‘Theinstituteis
committedtoundertakingresearchthatdeliversgenuinebenefitsforindustrypartnersandtheState.AIThasalongtrackrecordinR&Dcollaborationsandthispartnershipapproachcontinuestodeliverbenefitsinthesechallengingtimes.’
ThreeinnovationpartnershipswereundertakeninAthlonein2010upfromonein2009andtwoin2008.ThreeIPPswerealsoundertakenin2007.
TheInnovationPartnershipProgrammeencouragesIrish-basedcompaniestoworkwithIrishthirdlevelcollegestoaccesstheirexpertiseandresourcestodevelopnewandimprovedproducts,processes,services,andgeneratenewknowledgeandknow-how.
EnterpriseIrelandprovidesgrantsofupto80percenttowardseligiblecostsoftheresearchproject.
Innovation NewsAIT AMONGST TOP PERFORMING COLLEGES FOR INNOVATION PARTNERSHIPS
KNOT A PROBLEM!
ThemajorityofenquiriestoAIT’sMidlandsInnovationandResearchCentre(MIRC)comefromentrepreneursandcompanieslookingtoundertakecollaborativeresearch.
However,agroupofTransitionYearstudentsfromStWolstansCommunitySchool,CelbridgebroughttheirbusinessideatoAthlone,whentheycontactedtheMIRCaboutaproposalforadevicethatwoulddetangletightknots.
Accordingtothestudents,thepen-knifeshapeddevicewouldopenknotsinitemssuchasshoelaces,necklacesandearphonewires.
WhenthestudentsvisitedAthloneinNovember,theymetwithMIRCmanager,MichaelLonergan,aswellaswithAnn-MarieDurkan(founderofShasta),DrJamesKennedyandConorHayesfromtheMaterialsResearchInstituteatAIT.
JamesandConordiscussedthestudents’designwiththemandproposedwaysofimprovingit.Thestudentsalsogottoseesomeofthehigh-techmachinesusedintheinstituteforprototyping.
Afterthemeeting,thestudentsrealisedthatadesignchangewasnecessaryastheoriginalproposalwastoocomplexandwouldcosttoomuch.IncollaborationwithConor,thegroupdecidedonanewdesignandConorproceededtomakeaprototype.Thefinaldevicefeaturesonepointedendandonehookedendandisattachedtoakey-ring.
So,‘KnotaProblem’,rememberwhereyouheardofitfirst!
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LEARNING THE BUSINESS OF SPORTAgroupof19studentsarecurrentlycompletingtheirfirstsemesteronanewCertificateinSportsAdministrationforcamogieadministratorsatAIT.
Theten-weekcourseintroducesparticipants,whoaredrawnfromclubandcountyadministrativepositionsintheCamogieAssociation,totheprinciplesandpracticesofadministeringasportsclubwithparticularreferencetoassistingthedevelopmentoftheCamogieAssociation.
Courseparticipantsarecoveringanumberoftopicsincludinganintroductiontofinancialmanagement;ethicsandlegalissuesinsportsadministration;introductiontotrainingandmethodsofinstructionskillsandleadershipandmanagementskills.ThecertificateisalevelsixsinglemoduleawardontheNationalFrameworkofQualifications.
SpeakingabouttheCertificateinSportsAdministration,PresidentoftheCamogieAssociation,Joan
O’Flynn,said:‘Ouradministratorshaveidentifiedaneedfortrainingtousasanassociation.ThiscourseprovidesafantasticopportunitytothoseintendingtoimprovetheirexistingskillsandknowledgeintheirroleswhilealsoreceivingarecognisedqualificationfromAIT–oneofthecountry’sleadinginstitutesforsportsandrelatedprogrammes.’
AITPresident,ProfessorCiaránÓCatháin,notedthattheprogrammereflectedtheinstitute’scommitmenttotheflexibledeliveryofhighereducation.‘AIThaslongrecognised
thatpeopleneedtoaccessthirdleveleducationinamannerthatsuitstheirprofessionalandpersonallifestyles.WeareofferinganincreasingnumberofflexibleprogrammesinAthlonethatreflecttheneedsoflearnersandorganisations.’
Courseparticipant,BelindaDooleyfromPadraigPearse’sClubinRoscommon,added:‘Thiscoursehasbeenabsolutelyfantastic.Ithasbeenagreatexperiencetomeetandlearnwithfellowmembersofthecamogiecommunityfromalloverthecountry.’
TheDepartmentofBusinessStudiesatAITistoundertakeasubstantialworkplacelearningpartnershipwithAllianceWorldwideCare(AWC),Parkwest,Dublin.TheDiplomainLeadershipprogrammehasbeenco-developedinresponsetoarequestfromAllianzWorldwideCarewhospecialiseinprovidinginternationalhealthinsuranceforemployees,individualsandtheirdependants.
Theprogrammewillbedeliveredon-siteandoncompletionparticipantswillreceiveaLevel860creditSpecialPurposeAwardinLeadership.
Commentingontheprogramme,ClaireCusack,HeadofHumanResourcesandTraininginAWC,said‘ThisuniqueprogrammeenablesAllianzWorldwideCaretodevelopleadersandensurewehavetherightpeopleinplaceto
supportourgrowingbusinessandtomeetfuturechallenges.Consciousofourcompetencymodel,itincorporatesAllianzGroup’sGlobalTalentManagementStrategyandemphasisesPerformanceManagementandDevelopment.ItreaffirmsandenhancesourcommitmenttoExcellenceThroughPeopleStandards.Allparticipantsarehighpotentialprofessionalseagertomakeagreaterimpactasamanager.’
HeadoftheDepartmentofBusinessStudiesatAIT,PeterMelinnadded:‘TheLevel8SpecialPurposeAwardisaprofessionalqualificationwithasyllabusthatcomprehensivelycoversallaspectsoftheparticipant’sroleandisbasedaroundpracticalexperienceandreflectivepractice.WearedelightedtoworkwithAWCinthissubstantialworkplacelearningproject.’
PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN AIT AND ALLIANZ WORLDWIDE CARE
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Morethanthree-quartersofcollegestudents
withadisabilityorspecificlearningdifficultyusetechnologytohelpthemwiththeirsituation.Thefindingiscontainedinareport,Assessment & Support Services for Students with Specific Learning Difficulties,launchedrecentlyintheAscentRegionalAssessment&ResourceCentre,AIT.
Thestudentsuseacombinationofspecialisedassistivetechnology(AT),aswellasgeneralpurposetechnology,suchasMicrosoftWordandAdobe.Two-thirdsofstudentsusethetechnologyonadailybasis,withthree-quartersusingtheassistivetechnologymostfrequentlyathome.Fifty-ninepercentoflearnersusetheATleastfrequentlyinclass.
Amongsttheassistivetechnologiesusedatthirdlevelarevoicerecognition,speech-to-
text,text-to-speechandmindmappingsoftware.Specialisedhardwareusedinthecollegesincludesdictaphones,readingpensandtalkingdictionaries.
TheAscentprojectaimstoincreasetheparticipationandretentionofstudentswithspecificlearningdifficultiesatthirdlevel.Thisisachievedthroughtheprovisionofassessmentservicesandresearchtoinformandsupporttheuseofinterventionsforstudents.TheprojectpartnersarethefivehighereducationinstitutionsintheBorder,MidlandandWest(BMW)region:AIT,GMIT,ITSligo,LyITandNUIG.
AnnHeelan,ExecutiveDirectorofAHEAD(AssociationforHigherEducationAccessandDisability),said:‘Studentswithdisabilitiesacrossthecountryaredoingaswellasotherstudentswheretheygetthesupport.They
arecompletingthecoursesatagreaterrate;they’regettingasgoodifnotbetterfirstandsecondclasshonoursdegrees.Thisisareallyimportantmessageforemployerswhowantthebestemployees.Theywantthebestandstudentswithdisabilitiescandeliverthebest.Infact,theyoftenbringabroaderwayofthinking,moreresilienceandproblem-solvingbecausethathasbeentheirlifeandcollegeexperience.’
PatriciaKearney,DisabilityLiaisonOfficeratAIT,saidthat‘Thegreateruseofinclusivetechnologieswithintheteachingenvironmentmeansthateducationisnowmuchmoreaccessibleforallstudents.Facilitiesforstudentswithdisabilitiesandspecificlearningdifficultiesareintegratedtoamuchgreaterextentwithinmainstreamteaching,andthisisapositivedevelopment.’
TheAscentRegional
Assessment&ResourceCentrewasestablishedin2007undertheStrategicInnovationFund(SIF).Sinceitsopening,thepartnershavecollaborativelydevelopedandimprovedscreening,assessment,learningsupport,examinationaccommodations,inclusiveteachingandlearningandassistivetechnologyservicesforstudents.
TheSIF2-fundedREACHprojectbuildsupontheearlierworkbypromotingtheprogressionofstudentswithdisabilitiesandspecificlearningdifficultiestohighereducationthroughthetransferofexpertiseandresourcesfromthirdleveltosecondlevelandfurthereducationcolleges.Theprojectprovidesteachertraininginstudentneedsassessment,andadviceandsupportintheuseofassistivetechnologybystudentsinsecondlevelandfurthereducation.
Experience of Third-Level Students with Disability Published in Report
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Asthethirdlargestcountryintheworldandwithapopulation
exceeding1.3billion,itisuniversallyagreedthatChinaisamajorglobalplayer.Overthepasttenyears,AIThasestablishedaseriesofstrategicpartnershipsandagreementswithsomeofthecountry’sleadingteachingandresearchuniversities.
OneofthemostrecenttobesignedwaswiththeCapitalUniversityofEconomicsandBusiness(CUEB),astateuniversity,locatedinBeijing,withacurrentenrolmentofsome20,000students.CUEBoffersundergraduateandpostgraduateprogrammesineconomics,management,law,literature,scienceandengineering.
OneofthebenefitsofthenewagreementforAITstudentsisthattheycancompleteasemesterorsummerprogrammeatCUEBspecialisinginanumberofdifferentareas.Theprogrammeoptionsare:theChineselanguage,China’seconomyanddevelopment,ChinesecultureandChinesecalligraphy,martialartsandculinaryarts.
TheBusinessSchooliscurrentlyassessinginterestfromstudentsinstudyingMandarinaspartoftheirfull-timeprogrammeofstudiesatAIT.TheDepartmentofAdultandContinuingEducationsuccessfullylaunchedapart-timeprogrammeintheChineselanguagein2010.
TherearecurrentlyfivestudentsfromCUEB
CHINA:SOME
INTERESTINGINFORMATION
The Chinese year is based on the cycles of the moon. A complete cycle of the Chinese calendar takes 60 years. The Chinese calendar dates back to 2600 BC and is the oldest known calendar. Each year is represented by an animal.
Red is considered a lucky colour in China. At one time, wedding dresses were red. New Year’s banners, clothing, and lucky money envelopes are still red.
Ten-year-old children are expected to know 2,000 of the over 40,000 written Chinese characters. By the time Chinese students leave college, they know 4,000 to 5,000 characters. Each character is learned by looking at it and memorising it. Unlike the 26 letters of alphabet, words cannot be sounded out letter by letter.
In 1979, three years after Mao’s death, a one-child policy was introduced to reduce China’s burgeoning population. This policy is still in effect today.
China is 8 hours ahead of Irish time.
The Chinese currency is the Chinese yuan.
Mandarin is the main language. There are a number of dialects in China.
Exploring what China has to Offer
studyingontheBachelorofInternationalBusinessatAIT.
InJune2010,adelegationfromAIT,accompaniedbyrepresentativesfromCUEBmetwithPresidentMcAleeseattheIrishConsulateinShanghai,aspartofherstatevisittothecountry.
AIThasexperiencedasignificantgrowthininternationalstudentnumbersoverthepast
decade,withsome400studentsfromoverseascurrentlyattendingtheinstitute.Sincethelaunchofthegovernment’sAsiastrategyin1999,AIThasbeenactiveindevelopinglinkswithuniversitiesinChinaandhaspartnershipswithhighereducationinstitutionsinBeijing,Shanghai,Dalian,Nanjing,amongstothers.
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AIT’snewindoorsportsarenarepresentsa
significantinvestmentintheeducationalandsportinginfrastructureoftheMidlands.Withconstructionworkduetocommenceinthespring,itisplannedthatthenewfacilitywillopeninearly2012,justintimetoattractathletescompetingintheLondonOlympics.
The12,000m2buildingcomprisesthreedistinctareas:a6-laneathleticsarena,amulti-sportarena,andanoutdoorstandtoserve
theexistingathleticstrack.Inaddition,thecomplexwillhousechangingroomfacilities,agymnasium,high-performancetrainingrooms,arecoverysuite,medicalcentreandsupportrooms.
Theindoorathleticstrackandfieldauditoriumcomprisesa200m-bankedrunningtrack,spectatorseatingfor1,500persons,aswellasanelevatedathletewarm-upareawithan80msprinttrack.Theseparatemultipurposeindoorsportsauditoriumwillcaterforbasketball,futsal;aswellas
volleyball,badmintonandmultipleothersports.Ittoowillhavespectatorseatingfor1,500persons,whichcanbeincreasedto3,500spectatorsinconcertsetting.
Thebuildingwillprimarilycompriseapaletteofthreehighqualitymaterials:Portlandconcretepanel(similartoAthloneCivicCentre),greencopperpanelandthermallybroken,solarglare-reducingdoubleglazing.
Thebuildingincorporatesallacceptedpassiveandsustainabletechnology,
includingrainwaterharvestingandhighdegreesofinsulation.Themainathleticsarenaisnaturallylittoreducerunningcosts,withlightsusedrarely.Theauditoriaarenaturallyventilated,andthepreferredambienttemperatureofasportscentre–16degrees–facilitatesthelowestpossibleenergyuseforabuildingofthistype.Thebuildingwillbefullyaccessibleforpersonswithdisabilities.
Furtherinformationcanbeaccessedatwww.ait.ie/campus.
New Indoor Sporting Arena: A Major Investment for AIT
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Whenitcomestocollegesportingfacilities,fewcampusesinIrelandcan
boastofaninfrastructureasfineasisavailableatAIT.Havinginvested€2.5millioninanIAAF-approvedathleticstrackandaFIFA2-starastro-turfpitchinrecentyears,theinstitutenowhasitssightsfirmlysetonupgradingitsindoorfacilities.
ThatreputationhaspositionedtheinstituteasthevenueofchoicefortheHSECommunityGamesNationalFinals,theCelticGames,aswellasnumerousothersportingcodesandevents.TheinstituteisthecurrentIrishRugbyCollegesUnionDivision1championsandwasasemi-finalistinlastyear’sSigersonCup.
Itisworthpointingout,however,thatdespiteamajorfocusbeingplacedonthesportingheadline-makers,AITcatersforalllevelsofsportinginterestandability,fromtheoccasionalparticipanttotheinternationalcompetitor.Oneofourcoreobjectivesistohaveasmanypeopleaspossibleparticipatinginsportingactivity,becausethehealthbenefitstoindividualsandtosocietyingeneralareincalculable.
Attheelitelevel,AITstudentsandgraduatesaretobefoundrepresentingtheircountryontheOlympicstage,competingintheAirtricityLeague,participatingintheGAAAll-Irelandseries,playingfortheirprovinceintheHeinekenCupandwinningtheIrishOpen.ThatisanimpressivelegacyandindicatesthesupportiveenvironmentandprofessionalassistancewhichisavailableinAthlonetohelpsportsmenandwomenachievetheirverybest.
AnattractivesportsscholarshipschemeisalsoonofferinAITforstudentswhohavereached,orhavethepotentialtoreach,averyhighstandardofperformanceintheirchosensport.
Underthescheme,approximately30fullandhalfscholarshipsareawardedeachyear,uptothevalueof€4,800overfouryears.The2009/10scholarshiprecipientsincludedPaulHarte(BuccaneersRFCAILDivision1&IrishColleges),RayGalligan(Cavanseniorfootballer),NeilHarney(StPatrick’sAthleticandformerIrishschoolsplayer),GaryConnaughton(formerAll-StarandWestmeathseniorfootballer),andAislingEgan(IrishcollegessoccerandBealnamullaFC).
For further information about sporting opportunities at AIT contact the Sports Office on tel 090 644 2565 or by email to [email protected].
Ensuring Winning WaysGordonBrett,SportsandRecreationManager,reflectsonpositivesportingtimesforAITteams
Champions of the Irish Rugby Colleges Union Division 1 2010
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