|
Dublin Institute of Technology
|
Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) (Irish: Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Bhaile Atha Cliath) was established officially in 1992 under the Dublin Institute of Technology Act but had been previously set up in 1978 on an ad-hoc basis. The institution can trace its origins back to 1887 with the establishment of various technical institutions in Dublin, Ireland. The institution considers itself to be quite distinct from other Institutes of Technology in Ireland; it continues to build on its long tradition of providing education from certificate to doctorate level.
The Institute currently has around 20,000 undergraduate students, and many postgraduate students both taught and research postgraduates.
About
The institution is currently planning a single campus, the Grangegorman Campus, thus moving from its many city centre locations which has often been a source of criticism. In 1993 the institution was formally separated from the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee, the colleges and their original year of foundation:
- College of Technology, Bolton Street (1911)
- College of Catering, Cathal Brugha Street (1941)
- College of Music, Chatham Row (1890)
- College of Technology, Kevin Street (1887)
- College of Marketing and Design, Mountjoy Square (1905)
- College of Commerce, Rathmines (1901)
By 1992, these colleges were recognised as centres of excellence in their areas of specialism and following the establishment of the Institute, their expertise formed the nucleus of the Faculty structure within DIT today and were renamed aptly:
- Faculty of Applied Arts, Rathmines Road
- Faculty of the Built Environment, Bolton Street
- Faculty of Business, Aungier Street
- Faculty of Engineering, Bolton Street and Kevin Street
- Faculty of Science, Kevin Street
- Faculty of Tourism and Food, Cathal Brugha Street
- Faculty of Music and Drama, Chatham Row
In 1975 the University of Dublin entered an agreement whereby it conferred academic degrees at the colleges; this allowed these graduates a vote in the Dublin University constituency for Seanad Éireann representatives. This situation continued until 1998, when the institution was granted its own degree awarding powers. The institution sought university status in 1996; although the application was declined, the institution now has powers comparable to those of a university, and its degrees are recognised as such in Ireland. The institution recently confirmed that it is applying for university status again[1].
The institution currently offers a number of subdegree awards, including the DIT Certificate and DIT Diploma which are comparable to the National Certificate and National Diploma respectively. The institution awards Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral degrees, and the Graduate Diploma; the institution now has to award at levels and criteria agreed with the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland.
Ranking
DIT was named "Best Institute of Technology 2005" by the Sunday Times. DIT has one of the best Institute of Technologies in Ireland if not the best. In 2007 and 2006 it ranked 8th on The Sunday Times Univeristy League Table just below the Univeristies but above all the other Institute of Technologies.
DIT in the community
Embedded in Dublin city centre, DIT has built strong links with its neighbours and the Community Links Programme includes a number of highly successful projects aimed at building access routes for children in secondary schools where there has been no tradition of continuing to third level education. One of these projects is ‘Pathways through Education’ – a programme aimed at supporting students making the transition into secondary school. Pictured at the presentation of certificates were Ross Kavanagh, St. Paul’s CBS, North Brunswick Street and Jessica Corcoran, Presentation Secondary School, Warrenmount.
The National Optometry Centre
The National Optometry Centre (NOC) at Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), Kevin Street, is a state-of-the-art facility and the only such centre in the Republic of Ireland. The main function of the NOC is to facilitate clinical training for DIT Optometry students. The Centre is developing speciliased clinics in areas suach as paediatrics, low vision and contact lenses. It will also offer eye examinations, spectacles and contact lenses to the general public. Offering free eye examinations to DIT Students.
Noted alumni
See also
External links
|
