DkITimes - Dundalk Institute of Technology

DkITimes
Editor; Angela Short
Assistant Editor;
Margaret Clarke.
Volume 2, Issue 25
April 28th 2008
Students of the B.A.(Hons.) in Community Sports Leadership
present €14,000 to charity.
On the 15th March, Community Sports Leadership Year 3 students embarked on a herculean task
of climbing Mount Everest, not literally though! Students and student volunteers climbed the
height of Mount Everest (29,028 ft), on an artificial climbing wall located outside the Marshes
Shopping centre. This onerous task took just over 5
hours to complete. Pictured here is Ciara King
presenting a cheque to Deirdre Murphy of the
Irish Cancer Society. Also Pictured is DkiT lec-
turer David Cranny. (More photos inside)
A wheelchair activities day took place on Tuesday
11th in the Multi Purpose centre of Dundalk Institute
of Technology. Over 80 participants were in attendance from Louth, Meath, Monaghan and Dublin.
Whilst at the college participants had the opportunity
to take part in wheelchair soccer, rugby, basketball,
bocce and table tennis. Students also held a Fundamentals Fun Day.
Over 140 local primary school children took part in a
wide ranging activities day in the JJB soccer dome on Thursday 10thApril. Children from Blackrock N.S, St Josephs, Gaelscoil, Castletown Girls, CBS, and Bay Estate, enjoyed a varied sports
activities day. Here the each child participated in coaching and games in, dance, GAA, soccer, tag
rugby, cricket and obstacle course.
DkIT Cancer Support Society donates €2000 to the Marie Keating
Foundation.
Members of the DkIT Cancer
Support Society presented a
cheque for €2000 to Anne
Marie Burton from the Marie
Keating Foundation. it a big
part of their work.
Pictured from left to right are
society members Luke
McGahon, Paul Vaughan,
Amy Fitzpatrick, Ger Cunningham and Dave Hanratty.
Centre photo is Anne Marie
Burton from the Marie
Keating Foundation.
Early Perspectives – Frank McArdle
Frank McArdle who started in the college in 1974 has kindly agreed to recollect his time in
DKIT.
Previous experience
The job at the college was advertised as
caretaker/gardener. Frank attended the school at
Chapel Street. There were some very good
teachers during his time there, namely John
Minogue, Niall O Neill who taught welding and
Ciaran Coulter who specialised in Carpentry. He
served his time on the railway as a “Body Builder”
or “Coach Builder” in Dundalk. Further welding
experience was picked up on the railway from
Peter Duffy (father of Vincent), who was known as
the ‘White Father’ in recognition of his good work
with apprentices. Then it was onto Belfast and
England for several years. On returning to
Dundalk, Frank took up a position in Murphy’s on
the Dublin road where he spent three years. The
work at Murphy’s involved the insulation and
furnishing of vans, for example the interior of the
county library vans was carried out there. The
house-building
course
in
the
college,
spear-headed by Pat Herr also provided a valuable
background where the digging of sewers, laying
foundations etc was all covered.
Pictured above right is Frank McArdle with Brendan McCoy.
The early days
Gerry McHugh also started in 1974, he was a senior clerk and in those early days he was
involved in ‘admin’, personnel, finance and buildings. On arriving at the college, the
caretakers at that time were Pat Kearney, Gerry Watters and John McGardle who picked
up the “G” when he worked in the United States! The job was varied from keeping the
boiler going, organising the cleaning, over seeing the summer works to draining. Keeping
an ‘eye’ on the college in the early days especially during the ‘troubles’ was carried out in
a very discrete way prior to the introduction of the alarmed system in 1988. Thankfully
there were never any major incidents on that front. The caretakers did some cleaning in
those days while the maintenance cleaners looked after the classrooms. Many of those
early cleaners are now deceased, one lady, Mrs Dullaghan stills lives in Hoey’s Lane. On
one occasion when the library was in the engineering section, many books got damaged
as a result of flooding.
The many tasks on hand
On arriving Frank was told that the summer was great, that it could be spent ‘sunning’
oneself on the roof. During that first summer the toilets in engineering needed much work,
needless to say that Frank never got a chance to ‘sun’ himself any summer! The summer
works that evolved, included painting and maintenance of equipment & machinery. The
grounds also needed to be continually maintained. Many agree that Fintan McQuaid did an
excellent job on the grounds during his fourteen or so years here. On another occasion
trenches for the goal posts on the soccer field in front of the college, near Dublin road had
to be dug, a “french drain” was found so a little draining was called for. The area was not
called the marshes for nothing! Frank was responsible for many structural innovations for
example the ‘staggered ramp’ system along the corridor allowing access to the well with
the trolleys. At Christmas time there could be some money left over, on one occasion furniture was procured for the boardroom. Other essentials such as paint or machinery were
purchased on occasions. Frank is now involved in the Carroll’s building and is drawing on
some his experience that was not utilised since coming to college as all the buildings
went up from the ‘ground’, now for the first time a building with a previous industrial use
has to be adapted
The Boiler
The two boiler men were Peter Curley and Patsy Curran (RIP), who finished in the VEC.
Peter because of his gate was called the “ghost at the window”. The boiler was fuelled by
Arigna slack from the coalmine in Co Leitrim. There was usually a ritual on Sunday
afternoons to set up a bed of fuel to ensure the boiler could be got going on Monday
morning at 6 am. Half the time there were more stones than coal. Oliver McDonald and
Sean Redahan did a check on different coals and found the Polish coal to be better than
the British kind. During the bad frost in 1983 the fire brigade had to be called in to fill the
water tank with water, as there was no pressure. The oil system was installed in mid eighties before the south block was built.
To be continued… Compiled and submitted by Seamus Bellew.
Right; Oliver McDonald one of the ‘coal checkers’ and Coal expert
number 2, Sean Redahan (below extreme left) pictured with Oliver ,
Turlough O Brien and the real experts, their lovely wives.
Volume 2, Issue 25
Page 4
DkiT Students beaten by a whisker in the Imagine Cup.
DkIT Games Development students, Clare Singleton, Christopher Mc Cormick and Jake Lowndes
from first year and Anthony Mc Guinness from second year came 2nd in the Imagine Cup Software Development competition. Our team were beaten by a whisker, with a judges split decision
of 4-3 going against them.
The Imagine Cup is the biggest software development competition on our island. Over 560 students from the various universities and colleges on both sides of the border entered this competition in January. Congratulations to Clare, Christopher, Jake and Anthony who no doubt will use
this as a practice run for next year’s competition.
Pictured below is the DkIT team with Minister for Education Mary Hanafin and Managing Director of Microsoft Ireland, Paul Rellis.
STUDENT ENTERPRISE INTERNSHIP / SCHOLARSHIP
Applications are invited for the position of Student Enterprise Intern
at DKIT.
The importance of promoting and developing an Enterprise Culture on Campus is
fully recognised by the Executive Management of DKIT. Resulting from this commitment, it has been decided to create an additional position of Student Enterprise
Intern. The role of the Intern will be to actively support, promote & develop a spirit
of Enterprise & Self-Employment amongst all of the students attending DKIT.
This will entail the implementation of a range of new initiatives & activities which
support this goal.
The Internship will commence in September 2008 & will run until June 2010 .The
successful applicant will be required to participate in a briefing session on the
weekend of June 7^th in Scotland. Regular travel is a core part of the role and the
successful applicant must be free to travel within the EU.
On-going support & direction will be provided by the Regional Development Centre.
It is envisaged that the Intern will spend 18 hours per week involved in this role.
He/She will be expected to combine the role with attendance on a Masters Programme in DkIT (*this will be by way of Scholarship*). Remuneration will be Euro
160 per week.
The position is open to DKIT students who will either graduate with an honours
Degree in Summer 2008 or who have already obtained an honours primary Degree
The Deadline for Applications is Friday 2nd of May 2008
Application Forms available from:
Garrett Duffy,
Enterprise Development Manager,
Regional Development Centre
(email: garrett.duffy@dkit.ie : tel:9391092 or ext 1092)
DkIT
Innovators
Club
Second General
Meeting
Wednesday 30th April 2008
3:00PM
Regional Development
Centre
Anyone who does not know where the RDC is located.
Please assemble at the stairs to the college library @
2:55PM
And then will be brought over.
.
www.bebo.com/DkIT-innov
dkit.innovators@gmail.com
Volume 2, Issue 25
Page 7
C.R.E.D.I.T.
Does anyone
remember the
'Shoot-out' at the
El Molino Hotel?
Replies to editor@dkit.
Credit where credit is due,
Thanks to Larry Staudt and all of his crew.
For all the effort that they have put in,
The turbines up and ready to spin.
Renewable energy, is that now what’s new?
Well not really, for there’s lots more to do.
Because the worlds in a terrible state.
There is no resources left to waste.
Environmentalists friend, electricity from wind,
SOUTH ULSTER
YOUTH ORCHESTRA
Dundalk Institute of Technology welcomes the
COMES TO DKIT
South Ulster Youth Orchestra who will perform
With fossil fuel stocks now hard to find
We must now develop new energy sources,
With the emphasis on renewable resources
Decreasing emissions, as its blades spin.
in concert on Saturday, 26th in The Institute’s
Generating electricity from the machine within.
Faulkner Building. They will join with the Choir
of DkIT for a performance which includes
To heat us and feed us, and to light our way,
Glinka’s Overture to Ruslan and Ludmilla, and
As night-time approaches, at the end of the day.
movements from Karl Jenkins’ L’Homme Armé
Mass. The ninety strong orchestra, which is
drawn from schools all over the border counties Industries needs, and those of hospitals and schools
has been a great ambassador for music during
Can avail of this concept of green energy fuel.
the past 30 years and will be joining with eighty
It is the way forward, the wind and the wave,
DkIT music students to present what promises
to be a hugely enjoyable programme.
If we really are serious the world can be saved.
The Centre for Renewable Energy,
At Dundalk Institute of Technology,
Can really be proud of their achievements so far,
If they can now just invent a wind powered car.
© Páiric Duffy
20 October 2005
The Concert starts at 7.30 pm and admission is €10 concession €5
This little poem was written to coincide with the official launch
of the new Wind Turbine at Dundalk Institute of Technology
under the patronage of CREDIT.
The Centre for Renewable Energy
Dundalk Institute of Technology
DkIT Cancer Support Society present cheque to
Marie Keating Foundation
Members of the DkIT Cancer Support Society presented a cheque for €2000 to Anne Marie Burton from the Marie Keating Foundation. The members of the society raised the money through
various fundraisers, The Wii Challenge, Speed Pool , selling wrist bands and a raffle, the results
of which are published on the next page of this. Issue. The society was formed in DkiT as a support organisation for all those affected by cancer and fundraising for charity it a big part of their
work.
Pictured from left to right
are society members Luke
McGahon, Paul Vaughan,
Amy Fitzpatrick, Anne
Marie
Burton from the Marie
Keating Foundation, Ger
Cunningham and Dave
Hanratty. The Cancer Support Society highlights the
willingness of DkiT students
to get involved in extracurricular activities that can
benefit the wider community. Congratulations to all
involved.
Amy Fitzpatrick and Subhash Khanal of the DkiT
Cancer Support Society man their stand during Fit
for Life Week at DkIT.
DkIT President Denis Cummins and DkiT Students’
Union President battle it out in the Presidential Wii
Challenge at DkiT during Fit for Life Week.
(Post script– Luke won!)
http://www.dkitcancersupportsociety.com/
What they are saying about the Cancer Support Society; comments taken from the website
‘I think this site is great. Cancer affects everyone in some way. We all know a
family member, close friend or neighbour who has had cancer. There should be
a site like this for all teenagers and adults not just DKIT students to discuss feelings and worries or just help raise awareness and funds for charity!!!! but its a
great start!! Well done guys!!! ‘
*Cancer Support Society – Prize
Draw Winners*
1st Prize;
2nd Prize;
3rd Prize;
4th Prize.
5th Prize
Station.
6th prize.
7th Prize
8th Prize.
9th Prize.
tier
10th Prize.
11th Prize
12th Prize.
Voucher.
13th Prize
14th Prize.
15th Prize.
16th Prize.
17th Prize.
Killian Farrelly, Printer.
Emma Dillon, Meteor Phone.
Liam Coyle, 02 Phone.
Liz Murphy, DVD Player.
Michelle Martin, IPod Docking
Alan Wilson, MP3 Player.
Joanne Murphy, Hands Free Kit.
Angela Short. No.7 Perfume.
Subhash Khanal, Jean-Paul GauAisling Ruddy, Smiths Voucher.
Carla Clarke. Necklace.
Maeve McQuillan, Chemist
Helen Neasy, Roses.
Anna Ketterick, Spirits.
Karl Gordon, Spirits.
Aoife Mackie, Spirits.
Conor McCoy, 1 Hours Football in JJB
Prizes should be collected from the Clubs & Societies Office before Thursday 1st May 2008.
Prizes will only be given to winners who can produce ID and the winning ticket. If Prizes have not been
collected by the 1st May the Prizes will be re-raffled.
Diarmuid Cahill
Thank you to everyone who bought tickets for the raffle and participated in the various fundraising efforts.
NEW RESEARCH INSTITUTE TO CREATE 20 NEW POSTS
VALUED AT €1.5m
NUI MAYNOOTH TO LEAD RESEARCH INTO IRELAND’S
HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL TRADITIONS
Last Friday, April 18th the Minister for Education, Mary Hanafin T.D. launched a new institute
dedicated to research in Irish Historical and Cultural Traditions. The €6 million An Foras Feasa
will be based at NUI Maynooth and will create 20 research posts worth €1.5m including five postdoctorates and 12 Ph.D.
The term ‘Foras Feasa’ can be translated as ‘foundation of knowledge’. This term has particular
resonance to the
institute given its focus on bringing technological innovation into traditional research. For example, An
Foras Feasa is the first educational institute to acquire a hyper spectral scanner. This device, normally
used for forensic analysis by crime
investigators and hospitals, will be available to researchers for forensic examination (handwriting
analysis, document dating and reuse, fraud detection etc.) of ancient and modern texts.
The Institute’s ground breaking research will centre
on using the most innovative and cutting edge scientific technology to bring Ireland’s cultural traditions to life. It will make historical documents, which were once housed only in research libraries in climate-controlled conditions, available to all with computer access.
Currently it has 80 researchers with expertise in a variety of disciplines including: celtic studies,
computer science, imaging technology, history, media
studies, modern languages and music. An Foras Feasa
has already been successful in securing €5.8m in funding from the Government, through the HEA programme
for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI).
The institute is a partnership between four third level
institutions: Dublin City University (DCU), Dundalk
Institute of Technology, St. Patrick’s College Drumcondra, and will be led by and housed in NUI Maynooth.
Prof. Margaret Kelleher, Director of An Foras Feasa said, “We chose to name the institute ‘An
Foras Feasa’ to acknowledge Geoffrey Keating’s celebrated Foras feasa ar Éirinn (c.1634). This
work did more than any other to transmit ancient Irish learning and traditions to the modern world.
We aim to continue in this tradition by building a knowledge base about our country’s history and
traditions that will not only be of huge benefit to historians and other academics but will make the
unique and rich history of our country accessible to all.”
Minister for Education, Mary Hanafin T.D. said “The government’s recent award of large-scale
funding to the Humanities Serving Irish Society national consortium, as part of the Programme for
Research in Third-Level Intuitions, is a recognition of the vital contribution of historical and cultural research to Irish education. Institutes like An Foras Feasa provide an increasingly important
service to academia and to the general public. By documenting our past and using such advanced technologies to preserve old records they are securing a rich wealth of knowledge for future generations.”
For the next two years the institute will focus on a number of research projects including:
Early-modern Irish Migration to Europe; Irish communities on the continent 1550-1820
Early Irish manuscripts: Hyper spectral Analysis
Digital Humanities and ICT Innovation
The Alcala Project which is currently underway at An Foras Feasa is an example of the dynamic
combination of science and the humanities that marks the work of this research institute. The
project will create a digital object from a ledger dating from the 18th century, held in the Russell
Library Maynooth. Researchers will translate and encode 324 pages of income and expenditure
from the Royal Irish College of Alcala in Spain. When the project is concluded the document will
be fully digitised and will become both searchable and interactive. For example, a researcher will
be able to find out how much was spent on everyday goods in January of 1780 with the click of a
button, a process which would have previously taken days. It is the first time that a project of this
nature has been conducted in Ireland.
Dundalk IT Researchers, involved in the An Foras Feasa project;
Computing and Mathematics; Dr Cornelia Connolly, Dr Kevin McDaid, Dr Brendan Ryder
Humanities; Dr David Getty, Dr Martin Maguire, Dr Aoileann Ní Éigeartaigh
Music and Creative Media. ; Dr Eibhlis Farrell, Dr Fintan Vallely
DKIT’S BORDER ARTS CENTRE
LISTED ON WIKIPEDIA
As reported in last week’s edition of the DkITimes,
Augusto Boal founder of Theatre of the Oppressed
received the Cross Border Award for Peace and
Democracy from DkIT President, Denis Cummins at
the Abbey Theatre in Dublin.
Now if you go to the Boal's page in the wikipedia you
will find a link to the DKIT podcast of the event as well
as a link to the Border Arts Centre.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augusto_Boal
Conferring 2008 date announced
The DkIT conferring ceremony will take place this
year on November 1st. Information regarding the
event will become available on the website closer to
that date.
The ‘Hazard’ system of Referencing– if in doubt ‘cite’!
In feedback received recently from DkIT students, a considerable amount of confusion and angst
around the issue of plagiarism was apparent . In fact the title for this piece was prompted by one
comment which referred to the student’s lack of knowledge of the ‘Hazard’ (Harvard) sysyem of
referencing. It struck me that perhaps this typo or spelling error was in fact indicative of the fear
that referencing generates among students as project submission dates loom.
DkiT uses the Harvard system of referencing and a complete guide to using this system is available to download from the DkiT website . The document entitled Credit where Credit is Due is
also available to buy in the college shop.
What is Plagiarism?
Plagiarism can be deliberate or accidental but just as with the law, ignorance of the rules for referencing is not an acceptable excuse. You plagiarise when you knowingly pass off the work of
other’s as your own. It is in fact stealing the intellectual property of others. Students often worry
about what, when and how to reference. The following citing and referencing rules explain the
most basic rules of referencing.( A full guide to the Harvard system of referencing is available to
download from the DkIT website or in hard copy form the college shop.) If you learn these
ground rules, then over time you will develop a more in-depth knowledge of how to reference different sources in your essays or projects.
Citing
Citing is acknowledging in the text of your work the sources you have used. The most common
method of citation and referencing is the Harvard System.
Reference
A Reference is a set of data or list, which sets out the documents or parts of documents that you
have consulted. A reference needs to be placed in two different parts of your work:
1. At the point in the text of your document that the work is referred to e.g Dewey (1975) states
that ……
2. In a list of sources used at the end of the document. e.g
Dewey, John (1975) The Early Works, 1882-1898. Volume II, London: Feffer & Simons.
If however, you do not refer directly to one specific author but are discussing the ideas of a number of authors then those names can be acknowledged in this format e.g. More recent studies
(Giddens 1994; Coleman 1996) and then include the full reference in your bibliography at the end
of your work.
Electronic Sources.
Electronic sources are commonly used by students when conducting research and just as with
books and journals, electronic sources, websites or e-journals must also be fully referenced in
your writing. The following are a few basic ground rules for referencing electronic sources. The
issue of citing electronic sources is a thorny one as a lot of these sources are constantly changing
(e.g wikipedia) . For that reason, it is important to include in your reference the date you accessed
the website e.g.
Plagiarism. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plagiarism (Accessed April 25th, 2008
10.20 a.m)
Referencing electronic journals is done in the same manner as if referencing the hard copy e.g.
Manathunga, C. (2005). Turning the light on a private space: The Development of Research Supervision. International Journal for Academic Development, 10(1) 17-30.
Community Sports Leadership
Presentation night 24th April 7.30 in DkIT
As part of their Sport Development module, the 3rd year students of the DkIT Community Sports
Leadership programme once again got involved in fundraising for charity. Once again the students surpassed themselves in donating a whopping € 14,000 charity. This activity is annual as
the students take on the fundraising challenge as part of one of their academic modules.
To date students from the CSL course have donated €50,500 to local national and
international charities. This year students raised money by taking part in a Mount Everest
challenge amongst other activities already outlined on page one of this issue.
The charities which are benefiting from the fundraising endeavours are:
SOSAD €4000, Irish Cancer Society €3000, The Cormac Trust €3000, The Cross Cause Charity
€2000, Sr. Madeline Aiken €1000, Youth Work Ireland Development Perspectives €500 plus
framed and signed Irish soccer shirt, Serve €500
plus framed and signed Irish rugby shirt.
The Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) Cycle 1
Sectoral Projects Overview
Issue 3
Date: 14 March 2008
Full background information
on the SIF initiative can be
found on the SIF Homepage
on the HEA website
www.hea.ie.
Introduction from Dr. Maria Hinfelaar, Chair of the SIF1 Steering
Committee and Director of Limerick Institute of Technology.
The SIF Cycle I IOTI/DIT projects are fast approaching the half-way point.
The project groups are working hard and several of the projects are now at a
critical stage where they are poised to be rolled out throughout the
institutes. More and more staff and students will be directly involved. SIF is
bringing substantial investment to the sector in areas where this wasn't
previously happening. This is an opportunity for all of us, and there will be a
positive impact that will be felt for some time to come. Another very
beneficial effect is that there is now more interaction between our
institutions, and more people get a chance to meet colleagues and learn from
each other. That's what collaboration is all about, and I am sure I can speak
for all my colleagues on the various steering groups and working groups in
stating that we look forward to the next few months of SIF work.
SIF1 Background
Under the overall title, The Institutes of Technology Sector
Learning Network - Delivering Systematic Change, five major
projects are ongoing under SIF Cycle 1.
In this issue
Overview
1
Project 1 - Sectoral
Capacity Assessment and
2
Project 2 - The Institutes of 3
Technology Learning
Innovation Network
Project 3 - Empowering
Staff through the Strategic
Planning Process
4
Project 4 - Sectoral
Leadership and
Management Development
4
Project 5 - MIS
Portal / Data Integration
5
Project 1 -
Sectoral Capacity Assessment and Evaluation
Project 2 -
The Institute of Technology Learning Innovation
Network
Project 3 -
Empowering Staff through the Institutional
Planning Process
Project 4 -
Sectoral Leadership and Management
Development
Project 5 -
MIS (Business Intelligence & Portal Project
Each project is managed by a working group consisting of
representatives from a number of different institutes. All of the
sectoral projects and working groups are overseen by a Steering
Group consisting of Presidents, and other executive management
from across the sector.
Also in this issue — please see the invitations to activities organised by
the Learning Innovation Network (Project 2) on page 3 and the finance
news on page 2. A full list of members of the SIF1 Steering Committee and
members of all the project working groups can be found in the
Appendix, starting on page 6.
SIF Project Co-ordinator
Anne Murphy
Tel: 061-208208, ext 454
Email: annec.murphy@lit.ie
SIF Finance Co-ordinator
Barry Coleman
Tel: 061-208248
Email: barry.coleman@lit.ie
1
bearing in mind key developments in our
operating environment and in the wider
economy and society.
FINANCE NEWS
TRAVEL & MAINTENANCE CLAIMS
SIF1 ACTIVITIES
FOR
There has been an important change to the
policy governing SIF Travel & Maintenance
claims. Going forward all T&M claim forms are
to be submitted to the Finance Office of the staff
members own Institute. The Finance Offices can
subsequently claim reimbursement from SIF for
claims paid in respect of Working Group
members (as detailed in the Appendix of this
Newsletter). The cost of SIF related claims in
respect of all other staff members will be met by
their own Institute.
This has been agreed by the Project Steering
Committee and endorsed by the Secretary/
Financial Controllers at their meeting on
January 30th. It has also been communicated to
all IOT Finance Managers.
Please note that this applies only to the SIF
Cycle 1 Sectoral project “The IOT Sector
Learning
Network: Delivering
Systemic
Change”.
PROJECT 1
SECTORAL CAPACITY
ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION
›› PROJECT OBJECTIVE
The objective of the first Project was to assess
and evaluate capacity in the sector, to identify
gaps and make recommendations to develop
and mobilise talent and capacity to exploit
future opportunities.
›› BACKGROUND
The project was led by IT Sligo and carried out
by the consulting firm Prospectus. The final
report, entitled The Institute of Technology
Sector - Developing and Mobilising Talent
and Management Capacity to Exploit Future
Opportunities was published in October 2007
and contained detailed recommendations
regarding
the
challenges
and
future
development of the Institutes of Technology,
A summary of the recommendations was
outlined in the last SIF Newsletter (November
2007) and are repeated here as a brief
reminder.
Summary of recommendations:
1. Develop capacity at IOTI level to lead the
development of appropriate strategies and
engage with stakeholders and institutes
2. Develop management capacity and capability
at Institute level
3. Develop teaching and learning strategies that
address increasing diversity of students.
4. Ensure clearly defined organisational
structures exist, supported by clarity of roles
and responsibilities, with decision making
authority at the appropriate level and aligned
to strategic priorities.
5. Put in place leadership development
programmes in alignment with strategy
6. Develop and recruit specific skills to exploit
future opportunities.
A copy of the final report, including all the
recommendations can be downloaded from the
IOTI website, see www.ioti.ie.
›› NEXT STEPS
The Prospectus Report will feed into the other
four projects. In line with this, a formal review
of the full Sector Cycle I project is to take place
in 2008/ 2009
It has been agreed that the Steering Committee
should monitor progress by hiring a suitably
qualified graduate to help carry out research to
ascertain the full impact of the various projects.
Several recommendations at Institute level will
have to be considered locally. From a sector
perspective, a colloquium is planned towards
the end of 2008/early 2009 to review the topics
raised in the report.
2
PROJECT 2
THE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
LEARNING INNOVATION NETWORK
›› PROJECT OBJECTIVES
To provide a centrally co-ordinated repository
service and portal for teaching innovation
To scope the parameters of an agreed
Academic Development Programme
To develop a model for a National Excellence
in Learning & Teaching Awards system
The learning innovation project is led jointly by
GMIT and DIT and has already undertaken a
wide range of activities in line with the project
objectives.
›› ACTIVITIES IN 2007
A number of individuals were recruited to work
full-time on the Learning Innovation Network
(LIN), Attracta Brennan joined as LIN coordinator, Rosie Curry as LIN administrator
(both based at GMIT) and Noel Fitzpatrick
joined as Learning Development Officer (based
in DIT). All three roles are involved in working
to promote LIN activities across the entire
sector .
A number of information-seeking initiatives
were undertaken during 2007. For example, a
Survey of Learning and Teaching Activities was
completed by all IoTs. It was conducted to
investigate possible models for professional
teaching awards for staff, and the delivery of a
possible model of academic development
programme was started in Carlow Insitute of
Technology and Athlone Insitute of Technology.
A LIN website has been set up (www.linireland.com) and links have been established
between LIN and organizations such as AISHE,
EDIN, ILTA, NDLR and the Shannon Consortium
(a SIF collaboration group in the Shannon/
Munster region). All institutes of technology are
now represented on the project working group
due to the addition of T&L staff from each
institute, see Appendix on page 6 for full list.
This project seeks to develop strategic impact
by creating a sectoral network.
This is
conducted by sharing expertise and best
practice, evaluating and benchmarking learning
and teaching innovation at sectoral level. Initial
Meetings have taken place with T&L groups in
most of the IOTs during the month of January.
Activities planned for 2008 include Workshops
on Learning Outcomes to be delivered by Dr
Declan Kennedy, Department of Education,
UCC .
Workshops in Assessment; Teaching
Pedagogies and Recognition of Prior Learning
are planned for later this year.
The first annual conference for Teaching and
Learning in the IoT sector is planned for
October 2008.
›› DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Learning Outcomes Workshops – by Dr
Declan Kennedy, UCC
8 April - IT Tallaght
9 April - IT Tralee
Background to the concept of Learning Outcomes
Guidelines in the literature for writing Learning
Outcomes
Examples of Learning Outcomes from various
disciplines
Advantages and potential problems of Learning
Outcomes
Linking Learning Outcomes, Teaching and Learning Activities and Assessment.
Duration of workshop: 3 hrs (11.00am - 2.00pm)
Refreshments and light lunch will be provided to all
attendees. For more information or to book a place,
contact Rosie Curry, LIN Administrator 091742154 or rosie.curry@gmit.ie
First LIN Annual Conference
10 October 2008
Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone
Paper and poster abstracts are welcome from
researchers and practitioners within the following themes:
Innovations in Teaching and Learning
›› AGENDA FOR 2008
Modularization
Three subgroups have been set up from the LIN
Steering Committee to address each of the three
main objectives – Portal Subgroup; Academic
Development Subgroup; Teaching Awards
Subgroup.
Assessment
For more information visit http://lin-ireland.com
or contact Rosie Curry, 091-742154 or
rosie.curry@gmit.ie
3
PROJECT 3
EMPOWERING STAFF THROUGH
THE INSTITUTIONAL PLANNING
PROCESS
PROJECT 4
SECTORAL LEADERSHIP AND
MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT
›› PROJECT OBJECTIVE
›› PROJECT OBJECTIVES
To empower staff locally through linking
team and individual development plans to
focused, supported and transparent strategic
plans
The production of handbook, training
modules and participation of management
staff in training modules, linking institute
strategic planning with PMDS
The project is led by IT Blanchardstown and
Weston Associates and ASA were appointed as
consultants to the project in mid-2007.
The data-gathering phase of the project was
completed by the end of 2007. During this
phase of the project, interviews were held with
management and staff at all levels in every
institute across the country, including DIT.
Approximately 20 people were interviewed in
each institute, resulting in over 250 individual
interviews taking place. In addition, 450 people
responded to a staff survey, issued to all staff
across the entire Institute of Technology sector.
›› CURRRENT STATUS
To develop a strong cadre of leaders and
managers, competent to meet the challenges
facing the sector in the years ahead.
›› PROGESS IN 2007
The project is led by the Limerick Institute of
Technology and Empower Solutions Ltd. was
awarded the contract to carry out the research
in May 2007. The consultants carried out desk
research during the summer of 2007, reviewing
standard job specifications and various sectorrelated reports.
The consultants then conducted face-to-face
interviews and data-gathering focus groups in
October and November 2007, in IT Sligo, IT
Tallaght, LIT and DIT and during these sessions
over 100 academic and central services
management staff from a wide range of roles,
disciplines
and
locations
participated.
Interviews with a number of directors from
across the sector and with senior executives
from also took place in November.
›› CURRENT STATUS
The final documents will be presented to IoT
Directors/Presidents on 10th April 2008 and a
training programme for IoT staff on how to best
use the manual is planned for the near future.
Based on the data gathered, Empower Solutions
has now drafted competency profiles for Head
of Department/Central Services Management
and executive-level management roles. These
competency profiles are currently undergoing a
rigorous validation process involving further
rounds of focus groups and interviews with
current postholders, with IoT staff reporting
directly to those for whom the competency
profiles have been developed and with external
stakeholders. It is expected that the validation
process will be completed and the finished
competency profiles presented to the working
group by April 2008.
›› PHASE 2
›› PHASE 2
Under phase 2 of the project, training will be
offered to all IOT staff to ensure that everyone
has a clear understanding of how they can
On completion of the competency profile
development phase of the Leadership and
Mangement Development project, the project
will progress to the second phase – the
identification of appropriate training or other
action to ensure that all IoT management staff
are given opportunity to further develop the
identified competencies.
The first phase of the project is close to
completion and the outputs are:
Large reference manual with description for
each role’s input into the planning process;
Summary handbook
Both the manual and the handbook are at the
final editing stage.
contribute to the planning process in their
institute. This production and delivery of is to
be put out to tender as soon as phase 1 of the
project is completed.
4
PROJECT 5
MIS (BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE &
PORTAL PROJECT)
›› BACKGROUND
The aim of the project is to develop and
implement a comprehensive and integrated
reporting capability. The project falls into two
distinct parts – (I) Business Intelligence Project
and (II) the Portal Project.
The project is led by IT Tralee and is managed
by An Chéim and the organization reports
regularly to the working group for the project.
The contracts for the work involved were
awarded to a number of firms – IBM, Sungard
BT and Hewlett Packard.
›› PROJECT OBJECTIVES
Produce a Business Intelligence Strategy
Report
Core Pilot Proof of Concept Project
Banner Pilot Proof of Concept Project
Portal Pilot & Validation Project
All of the above projects were completed by the
end of 2007 and final reports submitted to the
working group.
›› ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2007
Business Intelligence Strategy Report
for the Banner Proof of Concept Project and
British Telecom was appointed to carry out the
work involved in the project.
End user training and user acceptance testing
was completed in both of the pilot institutes in
December 2007 and final reports on both
projects were submitted to the Project 5
Working Group at the end of 2007.
Portal Project
The aim of the pilot and validation project was
to deliver a learner focussed portal to two
Institutes of Technology. Sungard was apponted
as consultants to the project and the initial pilot
was conducted at Cork Institute of Technology
and the validation took place at Limerick
Institute of Technology
The project is designed to ensure that this initial
scope can be successfully built upon in the
future to further enhance student and faculty
services within the portal. All training and
consultation was delivered by Sungard by
December 2007 and the final project report
delivered to An Chéim and the Working Group
on 17th December 2007.
›› CURRENT STATUS
The current focus is on the rollout of the Portal
Project to other institutes, each institute can
customize the portal to suit it’s own needs and a
number of sites have been selected for the first
phase of the rollout. LKIT, IT Tralee and IT
Carlow will be the first institutes to have the
possibility to use the portal and the work has
commenced already in Tralee.
IBM was selected as the vendor for this part of
the project and undertook interviews with
Directors and senior management in the IoT
sector during 2007. Surveys were completed by
Directors/Presidents and senior management in
the IoT sector and the final draft of the Strategy
report, detailing recommendations for data
warehousing, data mining, archictecture and
implementation plans was presented to the
Project 5 Working Group in December 2007.
Core and Banner Pilot Proof of Concept
Project s
Sligo Institute of Technology was chosen as the
site for the Core Pilot Proof of Concept and the
contract for the work carried out was awarded
to Hewlett Packard. Athlone Institute of
Technology was selected as the pilot institute
5
APPENDIX 1:
SIF 1 STEERING COMMITTEE AND
PROJECT WORKING GROUPS
SIF1 STEERING COMMITTEE
Dr . Maria Hinfelaar (Chair)
Director
Limerick Institute of Technology
Tel 061-208233
maria.hinfelaar@lit.ie
Dr . Frank McMahon (Vice-Chair)
Director of Academic Affairs
Dublin Institute of Technology
Tel 01 402 3417
frank.mcmahon@dit.ie
Mr. Michael Carmody
President
Institute of Technology Tralee
Tel: 066 7145600
Michael.Carmody@staff.ittralee.ie
Dr . Richard Thorne
President
Institute of Technology Sligo
Tel 071 9155222
thorn.richard@itsligo.ie
Dr. Diarmuid O’Callaghan
Registrar
Institute of Technology Blanchardstown
Tel 01 8851000
diarmuid.o’callaghan@itb.ie
Mr. Bernard Mullarkey
Secretary & Financial Controller,
Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design &
Technology
Tel 01 214 4600
bernard.mullarkey@iadt.ie
Ms. Marion Coy
President
Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology
Tel 091 753161
marion.coy@gmit.ie
Dr. Dermot Douglas
Secretary/Senior Executive Academic Affairs
Council of Presidents of the Institutes of
Technology
Tel 01 67698 98
dermot.douglas@councilofPresidents.ie
›› PROJECT 1 WORKING GROUP
Project 1 Leader
Dr. Richard Thorn
President
Institute of Technology Sligo
Tel 071 9155222
thorn.richard@itsligo.ie
Mr. Des Foley
Head of School of Science
Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology
Tel 091 753161
des.foley@gmit.ie
Mr. Michael Loftus
Head of School of Computing
Cork Institute of Technology
Tel 021 4326164
mloftus@cit.ie
Mr. Derek O'Byrne
Head of Strategic Planning
Waterford Institute of Technology
Tel 051 302746
dobyrne@wit.ie
Mr. Noel O’Connor
Campus Planning
Dublin Institute of Technology
Tel 01 4027140
noel.oconnor@dit.ie
›› PROJECT 2 WORKING GROUP
Joint Project Leader
Ms. Marion Coy
President
Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology
Tel 091 753161
marion.coy@gmit.ie
Joint Project Leader
Dr. Frank McMahon
Director of Academic Affairs
Dublin Institute of Technology
Tel 01 4023417
frank.mcmahon@dit.ie
Mr. Brian Bennett
Registrar,
Institute of Technology Carlow
Tel 059 9170404
brian.bennett@itcarlow.ie
6
Dr. Etain Kiely
Lecturer, Department of Science
Institute of Technology Sligo
Tel: 071 9155222
kiely.etain@itsligo.ie
Mr. Larry McNutt
Head Of School of Informatics & Engineering
Institute of Technology Blanchardstown
Tel 01 885 1080
larry.mcnutt@itb.ie
Ms. Ann Cleary
Institute Librarian,
Dundalk Institute of Technology
Tel 042 9370215
ann.cleary@dkit.ie
Mr. Andrew Power
Head of School of Creative Technologies
Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design &
Technology
Tel 01 2144734
andrew.power@iadt.ie
Mr. William Bennett
Lecturer, Department of Business Studies
Letterkenny Institute of Technology
Tel 074 918 6211
william.bennett@lyit.ie
Dr. John Murphy
Head of Department -Engineering &
Construction Studies
Institute of Technology Tralee
Tel 066 7145627
john.murphy@staff.ittralee.ie
Mr. Ray Coughlan
Head of Department of Education Development
Cork Institute of Technology
Tel 021 4921172
rcoughlan@cit.ie
Dr. Jen Harvey
Head of Lifelong Learning
Dublin Institute of Technology
Tel 01 402 7883
jen.harvey@dit.ie
Ms. Fiona Cranley
Head of Department - Mechanical Engineering
Institute of Technology Tallaght
Tel 01 4042503
fiona.cranley@ittdublin.ie
Mr. Denis Murphy
Head of International Relations
Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology
Tel 091 74 2765
dennis.murphy@gmit.ie
Ms. Nuala Harding
Lecturer, School of Humanities
Athlone Institute of Technology
Tel 090 6442512
nharding@ait.ie
Ms. Rosemary Cooper
Learning Support Unit
Institute of Technology Tallaght
Tel 01 4042344
rosemary.cooper@it-tallaght.ie
Ms. Dolores Gilhooly
Head of School of Education &
Professional Development
Waterford Institute of Technology
Tel 051 302237
dgilhooly@wit.ie
Dr. Liam Boyle
Teaching & Learning Champion
Limerick Institute of Technology
Tel 061 208490
liam.boyle@lit.ie
Ms. Anne Carpenter
Co-ordinator Teaching & Learning Centre
Institute of Technology Carlow
Tel 059 9170515
anne.carpenter@itcarlow.ie
›› PROJECT 3 WORKING GROUP
Project Leader
Dr. Diarmuid O’Callaghan,
Registrar
Institute of Technology Blanchardstown
Tel 01 8851040
diarmuid.o’callaghan@itb.ie
Ms. Natasha Evers
Department of Business
Institute of Technology Blanchardstown
Tel 01 8851352
natasha.evers@itb.ie
Ms. Angela Short
School of Business Studies & Humanities
Dundalk Institute of Technology
Tel 042 9370200 angela.short@dkit.ie
7
Dr. Paddy Hannigan
Department of Engineering,
Letterkenny Institute of Technology
Tel 074 9186324
paddy.hannigan@lyit.ie
Mr. Jerald Cavanagh
Institute Librarian,
Limerick Institute of Technology
Tel 061 208208
jerald.cavanagh@lit.ie
Mr. John McKenna
Secretary/Financial Controller
Athlone Institute of Technology
Tel 090 6424515
jmckenna@ait.ie
›› PROJECT 4 WORKING GROUP
Project 4 Leader
Dr. Maria Hinfelaar
President
Limerick Institute of Technology
Tel 061 208208
maria.hinfelaar@lit.ie
Mr. Tom Doyle
Head of Development
Institute of Technology Blanchardstown
Tel 01 8851030
tom.doyle@itb.ie
Dr. Josephine Browne
Head of School of Business & Humanities
Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design &
Technology
Tel 01 2144785
josephine.browne@iadt.ie
Mr. Martin Nolan
Head of Department of Accountancy &
Professional Studies
Institute of Technology Tallaght
Tel 01 404 2307
martin.nolan@it-tallaght.ie
Ms. Caroline Casey
Human Resources Manager
Institute of Technology Sligo
Tel 071 9155222
casey.caroline@itsligo.ie
PROJECT 5 WORKING GROUP
Project Leader
Mr. Michael Carmody
President
Institute of Technology Tralee
Tel 066 7195691
Michael.Carmody@staff.ittralee.ie
Mr. Derek Feeney
General Manager
An Chéim
Tel 01 4310500
derek.feeney@ancheim.ie
Dr. Joseph Ryan
Academic Registrar
Athlo.ne Institute of Technology
Tel 090 6424413
joesphryan@ait.ie
Mr. Tony McFeely
Secretary/Financial Controller
Waterford Institute of Technology
Tel 051 845532
tmcfeely@wit.ie
Mr Paul Gallagher
Finance Office
Cork Institute of Technology
Tel 021 4326496
pgallagher@cit.ie
Mr. David Scott
Information Services
Dublin Institute of Technology
Tel 01 4023159
david.scott@dit.ie
Dr. Jim Morrisson
Head of Department of Electronics &
Mechanical Engineering
Letterkenny Institute of Technology
Tel 074 918 6472
jim.morrison@lyit.ie
Mr. Niall Corcoran
IT Manager
Limerick Institute of Technology
Tel 061 208205
niall.corcoran@lit.ie
Mr. Fergal Flanagan
Manager Computer Services
Carlow Institute of Technology
Tel 059 9170558
fergal.flanagan@itcarlow.ie
8
A VIEW OF BICS National Awards Gala Dinner 2008
By: Paul Vaughan
This year the BICS Awards were hosted by
our very own DkIT. The night was a roaring
success thanks to the efforts of Diarmuid
Cahill assisted by Liz Murray (Hospitality
Lecturer), and the staff of student services,
as well as the various clubs and societies
throughout the college.
The opening performance of the night was a
sensation. This was thanks to a combination of the Hip-Hop Society, Break-dancing
Society, Kenpo Karate Society, the Capoeira
Society, the Irish-Dancing Society
(Comprised of international students) and
the Traditional Music Society. The show
was pulled off with aplomb and was without
doubt the highlight of the Awards night.
The meal followed and with 320 people present at
the Park Inn Hotel, they had their work cut out for
themselves. The meal was amazing, starting with leek
& potato soup then continuing on with a roast beef
main course and finishing with a medley of desserts.
After the meal there were a few short speeches,
speakers included; Mr. Denis Cummins (President of
DkIT). The first guest speaker was Mrs. Anne Marie
Burton (Marie Keating Foundation); Mrs. Burton
was present to accept a cheque for €2000 which was
raised by the DkIT Cancer Support Society. The main
speaker of the night was Mr. John Devaney (Director
of Confederation of European Councillors). Mr.
Devaney was awarded a small token of appreciation
for taking time out of his otherwise full schedule to
attend the Awards night.
The main event was the awards and in total there were
16 (8 for small colleges and 8 for large colleges). DkIT
were entered in 5 of the 8 awards for small colleges
and were very unlucky to walk away empty handed.
The big winners on the night in the small college’s
category were IT Tallaght who received 3 awards. In
the large college’s category, DCU were the most successful with 3 awards of the 8.
In the end the night was a phenomenal success and
our special thanks goes out to Mr. Diarmuid Cahill
whose dedication and hard work made the event possible.
DkIT Host BICS National Awards Gala Dinner
The DkiT BIC’s Team.
Third level Colleges from all over Ireland descended on Dundalk Institute of Technology last
week for the Annual BICS National Awards for 2008. The National Society Awards are the highlight of the Societies’ Calendar and are hosted by a different college each year and celebrate the
achievements of the societies at a national level. This was the first time ever that DkIT hosted the
awards.
Year on year BICS continues to grow, with more and more colleges joining with NUI Galway,
UCC, Cork IT, UCD, DCU, DIT, IT Tallaght, Dundalk IT, IT Tralee, NUI Maynooth, UL, Mary Immaculate College Limerick, National College Ireland, GMIT, Queen’s University Belfast, Trinity
College and IT Blanchardstown all represented at this years awards, with the gala dinner being
hosted in the Park Inn Hotel.
The Awards dinner is organised every year to reward the huge effort made by many individuals
and committees within society life in the colleges and universities throughout the whole of Ireland. BICS was first constituted in 1995 and is responsible for the promotion of interest in the
activities of Irish college societies and of contact and co-operation between them. The organisation first held its annual National awards in 1997 with two winners: UCG Political Discussion for
Best Society and UCD Photographic Society for Best Event. Some eleven years later there are now
16 different awards – 8 for small colleges and 8 for large colleges.
In the end DkIT did not pick up any awards for 2008, however all the visiting colleges remarked
that this was the Best BICS Awards to date, and that they will all remember DkIT for the great
Awards ceremony and hospitality they received. Guest speakers on the evening included Anne
Marie Burton (Marie Keating Foundation), Denis Cummins (President of DkIT), Ríona Hughes
(Chairperson of BICS) and John Devaney (Director of Confederation of European Councillors).
Once again the event was organised under the auspices of DkIT Clubs and Societies Officer Diarmuid Cahill.
Pre-meal entertainment by
the Ceoltóirí Trádisiúnta
Society
The DkiT
Paintballers
turn out in
style.
Members of the
Dkit Irish Dancing
Society provide
some pre-meal entertainment.
Sweetened up at he
chocolate fountain……
Serenaded by Alan
Kavanagh of You’re
A Star fame during
the meal.
Ah manifique!
French students enjoy the party.
“People who don’t get involved in activities (clubs
and societies), don’t go to
college, they just go to
class”.
•
Ian Mullen ,winner
BICS awards 2008: Best
Individual- Large College
•
A note from DkIT past student and
2007 national award winner Jiwan
Jodhani.
Last Thursday DKIT hosted the BICS 2008
awards and I had the opportunity to be a part
of it, not as a nominee but this year as an adjudicator. Special thanks to Diarmuid Cahill,
Clubs and Societies Officer, for once again giving me the chance to be a part of BICS and
DKIT. I had the honour to judge the “Best Individual- Large College” along with two other
judges, and I would say it was much easier to
be on the other side of the table (winning the
BICS 2007 “Best Individual- Small College”).
Deciding who would be the best individual for
the BICS 2008 awards was the hardest decision we had to make. The nominees had different personalities, had done things differently, and were the best at what they did. However
there could only be one winner. It was a disappointment for DKIT not winning any awards this
year but we did host the awards and gave everyone travelling
from all over the country an unforgettable memory of the wonderful hospitality that DKIT is so good at dispensing. I had a
brilliant experience both being a winner, last year and being an
adjudicator this year and would like to thank once again our
clubs and societies officer, Diarmuid.
Pictured right is Jiwan receiving his Best Individual Award
at the 2007 BICS Awards.
This Week’s Caption Competition.
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