DkIT Annual Report
2011-2012
1
MISSION STATEMENT
Dundalk Institute of Technology’s mission is to provide the community with quality third –
level education and services, relevant to the economic, social and cultural development of
the region in the national and international context.
The Institute aims to promote personal responsibility among all its students and enhance the
professionalism of all its members in a supportive, inclusive and productive environment.
VISION STATEMENT
“Dundalk Institute of Technology has established a major strategic focus in the area of
Sustainable Living. This focus is based on our strengths, abilities and track record, in an area
of regional, national and global importance and provides us with a strong unique brand
and identity. It will underpin our teaching and learning, our research and development, our
services to students, staff and stakeholders and the manner in which we conduct our affairs
and in how we plan, deliver and operate our facilities and infrastructure”.
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HISTORY
Ariel View of Dundalk Institute of Technology
This year finds us celebrating our 40th anniversary and we remember back to May 1971 when
Dundalk Regional Technical College was officially opened by the then Minister of Education, Mr
Padraig Faulkner TD. Much has changed since that time with many expansions and improvements
taking place at DkIT.
In 2007 the new student restaurant and Mac Anna Theatre were completed. The Civic Square fronts
this building and Irelands only industrial standard wind turbine stands the background. This makes
for a most impressive focal point to the college.
2010 saw the opening of PJ Carroll’s Building as the home to the School of Informatics and Creative
Media.
The Institute has been expanding physically, the range and level of the programmes offered has
been extended and new disciplines have been introduced. This reflects our requirement to adapt to
the changing educational and training needs of the dynamic society in which we live today.
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The Muirhevna Building – Dept. of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Studies.
There are four Schools in the Institute as follows:
School of Business and Humanities
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Department of Business Studies
Department of Management and Financial Studies
Department of Humanities
Section of Hospitality Studies
School of Engineering
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Department of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Department of Construction and Surveying
Department of Engineering Trades
School of Informatics, Music and Creative Media
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Department of Computing and Mathematics
Department of Music and Creative Media
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School of Health and Science
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Department of Applied Science
Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Studies
Section of Midwifery
While the Institute continues to offer programmes in areas that it has traditional strengths such as
Engineering, Science, Technology and Business, it has also diversified into Humanities, Arts, Music,
Social Studies and Health.
The Institute has also grown its research capabilities with programmes at honours degree and
postgraduate degree level now available in the following research centres:
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Entrepreneurship
Software Technology
Smooth Muscle
Renewable Energy
Freshwater Studies
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Chairpersons Statement
As Chairperson of the Governing Body of DkIT I am pleased to report that the Institute continues to
comply with all its legal and regularity responsibilities and through its extensive range of academic,
economic and social activities fulfils its overall mission.
The Institute’s mission includes contributing to the social and cultural development of the region
and our music section had a number of public performances during the year at Birr Castle and Aras
an Uactarain.
The Institute also conferred its first honorary fellowships this year. The very deserving recipients
were Carmel Naughton, Fergal Quinn, Niall O’Dowd and Joey Maher.
Andrew Griffith
Chairperson
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Presidents Statement
The main challenge in 2011/2012 for both the Governing Body and Executive was managing a
reduction in overall budget and reductions in staffing due to the Employment Control Framework
being implemented in all public bodies. Through tight budgetary control the Institute again stayed
within its budget and staffing levels during this period.
Full time Student enrolment was 4426 (of which 1419 were first years) and part time enrolment
was 493 (an increase of 50% over the previous year). In addition a number of programmes designed
for labour market activation were introduced such as digital marketing, renewable energy systems,
bio-pharma, agriwaste management and computer games design.
The highlight of the year was the official opening of the Carroll Building by An Taoiseach, Mr Brian
Cowen on 11th of February 2011. The building will accommodate the School of Informatics and
Creative Arts and represents an overall investment of €40million.
The significant development for learners was the introduction of a centralized induction
programme for new students designed to enhance the first year experience. Key to the success of
this initiative was the involvement of over one hundred student ambassadors.
Denis Cummins
President
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Section 1
Governance
1.1 Membership of Governing Body
1.2 Governing Body Meetings
1.3 Institute Executive Board/Senior Management
1.4 Heads of School/Heads of Function/Heads of Section
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1.1 Membership of Governing Body 2011-2012
Name
Representing
Mr Andrew Griffith
Mr Denis Cummins
Mr Peter Mc Grath
Ms Madeline Argue
Cllr Declan Breathnach
Cllr Mariann Butler
Mr Patrick Doherty
Mr Brian Harten
Mr Edward Kavanagh
Mr Clifford Kelly
Dr Padraig Kirk
Ms Tracey McElhiney
Ms Siobhan Ni Eanaigh
Mr Frank O Brien
Mr Martin O Brien
Mr Jim O Donohoe
Ms Sabrina Di Folco
Mr James Clarke
Ms Sarah Holt
Mr David Brannigan
Chairperson
President
Secretary
Co. Cavan VEC
Co. Louth VEC
Co. Louth VEC
IDA Ireland
Louth County Arts Officer
Non-Academic Staff Member
Pobal
Co. Louth VEC
Co. Meath VEC
Arts Council
ICTU
Co. Monaghan VEC
Academic Staff Member
Student Representative 2011
Student Representative 2011
Student Representative 2012
Student Representative 2012
1.2 Governing Body Meeting
Academic Year
2011 - 2012
Meeting Number
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
Date
Thursday 13th-Oct-2011
Thursday 10th-Nov-2011
Thursday 1th5-Dec-2011
Thursday 22nd-Dec-2011
Monday 23rd-Feb-2012
Tuesday 20th March-2012
Monday30th-April-2012
Wednesday 9th- May-2012
Monday 28th-May-2012
Tuesday 27th-June 2012
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1.3 Institute Executive Board/ Senior Management
Title
Representing
Mr Denis Cummins
Dr Edel Healy
Mr Peter Mc Grath
Dr Gerard Mc Kiernan
Mr Stephen Mc Manus`
Mr Eugene Roe
Mr Cathal Kearney
Mr Gerard Carroll
President
HOS of Health & Science
Secretary /Financial Controller
HOS of Informatics & Creative Media
Registrar
HOS of Engineering
HOS of Business & Humanities
Head of Development
1.4 Heads of Departments/Heads of Function/ Heads of Section
Head of Departments
Mr Shane Hill
Dr. Colette Henry
Dr. David Getty
Dr. Eibhlis Farrell
Ms Caroline O Sullivan
Mr Eugene Roe
Dr. Daniel O Brien
Mr Patrick McCormack
Mr Gerry McTaggart
Dr Edel Healy
Ms Brianan Erraught
Ms Jill Atkinson
Mr Myles Hackett
HOD Financial, Management & Prof Studies
HOD Business Studies (on career break)
HOD Humanities
HOD Music & Creative Media Programmes
Acting HOS Music & Creative Media
HOD Mechanical & Manufacturing
Engineering
HOD Electronics & Mechanical Engineering
HOD Civil & Environmental Engineering
HOD Nursing & Health Studies
HOD Nursing & Health Studies
HOS Hospitality
HOS Midwifery
HOD Midwifery & Health Studies
Heads of Function
Ms Marie Madigan
Mr Gerald O’ Driscoll
Mr Conor Lait
Mr James McCahill
Ms Ann Cleary
Ms Linda Murphy
Finance Manager
Human Resource Manager
Estates Manager
IT Manager
Librarian & Head of Strategy
Academic & Student Affairs
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Section 2
Academic & Student Affairs
2.1 Academic Council Membership
2.2 Academic Council Meeting
2.3 Academic Developments
2.4 Enrolment Statistics
2.5 Graduation November 2011
2.6International Flows
2.7 Library News
2.8 Student Services
2.9 Life Long Learning
2.10 School Reports
2.11 Celt Report
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2.1 Academic Council Membership 2011/12
Dr Conor Brady
Dr Breda Brennan
Mr Brendan Ryder
Ms Ann Campbell
Mr John Carolan
Ms Jean Carragher
Ms Ann Cleary
Ms Adele Commins
Ms Cornelia Connolly
Mr Denis Cummins (Chairperson)
Dr John Dallat
Ms Brianain Erraught
Dr Eibhlis Farrell
Mr Gerry Gallagher
Dr David Getty
Mr Myles Hackett
Dr Edel Healy
Dr Colette Henry
Mr Shane Hill
Dr Christian Horn
Ms Olly Keegan
Mr Gareth Kelly
Ms Fiona Lawless
Dr William Lyons
Dr Patricia Moriarty
Mr John Morrison
Ms Siobhan McCarthy
Dr Valerie McCarthy
Ms Irene McCausland
Dr Tim McCormac
Mr Pat McCormick
Mr John Mc Geever
Ms Ann Marie McHugh
Mr Kevin McKenna
Mr Noel McKenna
Dr Gerard Bob Mc Kiernan
Dr Ruari McCool
Mr Kieran Nolan
Dr Daniel O’Brien
Mr James O Donohoe
Mr Simon O’Neill
Ms Caroline O’Sullivan (Vice Chairperson)
Mr Seamus Rispin
Mr Eugene Roe
Ms Antoinette Rourke
Dr Arjan Van Rossum
Mr Frank Watters
Mr Brian Harten
Mr Brian Fitzpatrick
Mr Patrick O’Rourke
2.2 Academic Council Meetings
Academic Year
2011 - 2012
Meeting Number
120
121
122
123
124
Date
Friday 30th September 2011
Friday 9th December 2011
Friday 2nd March 2012
Friday 11th May 2012
Wednesday 20th June 2012
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The minutes of Academic Council Meetings which took place in 2011/2012 are accessible at:
http://www.dkit.ie/Academiccouncilmeetings
2.3 Academic Developments
New Programmes Introduced in 2011/2012
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MSc in Midwifery Praxis
BSc (Hons) in Interactive Applications Design & Development
Certificate in the Assessment & Management of the Acutely Ill Adult
Certificate in the Assessment and Management of the Acutely Ill Woman within
Maternity Services
Certificate in Understanding Behaviour associated with Ageing
Certificate in Business in Digital marketing and New Media Management
Certificate in Business in Internationalisation
Certificate in Business in Web Site Development
BSc (Hons) in Computing with French
BSc (Hons) in Computing with English
Certificate in Agri-Food Business Excellence
Certificate in Food Supply Chain Management
Diploma in Biopharmaceutical Processing
Certificate in Arts in Music Technology
Certificate in Renewable Energy
Certificate in Good Manufacturing Practice in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
DkIT’s New Communications Office
Dundalk Institute of Technology has established a full time
Communications Office headed by Margaret Clarke. Margaret is keen to discover how best
to support the communications strategies of each department and centre. “I would love to
showcase the achievements of our students. To keep up with what is happening among the
student body on a weekly basis is a full time role so I welcome students and lecturers alike
to contact me with news of any projects, successes and achievements which I can promote
to the wider public. They deserve the recognition and there is a lot of good news coming
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from DkIT that demonstrates that while times are difficult, the energy creativity and
innovation on campus here in Dundalk has not diminished”.
2.4 Enrolment Statistics
2.4.1 Student Enrolment by Level & Year – Full Time
Enrolment Statistic
Full Time
2011-2012
Level
6
7
8
9
10
Total
Business & Humanities
Full Time Students
Engineering
Full Time Students
Informatics & Creative
Media
Full Time Students
Health & Science
Level
6
7
8
9
Level
6
7
8
9
Level
6
7
8
9
10
Level
Year 1
162
768
489
Year 2
64
619
406
Year 3
Year 4
769
367
684
Year 5
Year 6
58
Total
226
2156
1946
58
40
4426
1419
1089
1136
684
58
40
40
Year 1
112
295
233
Year 2
30
276
174
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
398
127
249
Total
148
976
791
45
36
640
480
525
249
36
0
1960
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
145
23
111
17
123
34
104
7
7
Total
0
379
178
14
168
128
157
104
7
7
571
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
206
78
146
73
145
52
110
13
11
6
Total
0
497
313
24
6
284
219
197
110
13
17
834
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
Total
14
Full Time Students
6
7
8
9
10
50
122
155
327
34
86
142
262
103
154
2
10
6
84
311
672
12
6
2
16
1085
221
257
221
2.4.2 Student Enrolment Statistics by Level & Year – Part Time
Enrolment Statistic
Level
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Part Time
6
149
13
23
20
2011-2012
7
12
8
50
30
9
38
34
Year 5
Year 6
Total
205
12
15
74
169
26
9
107
10
Total
0
249
77
38
94
26
9
493
2.5 Graduation November 2011
2.5.1 Graduation Prize Winners 2011
A total of 1462 Students Graduated in October 2011

Presidents Prize for Academic Excellence was awarded to: John Redmond
Jessica O Connor Moneley
Robert Bowens
Zhou Tong
John Killen
Martin Tiernan
Lucy Kavanagh
Brian Cashin
John Muldoon
Stephen Fedigan
Michelle Reilly
Ann Maire Murray
Brendan Crawley
Emmet Fealy
Trevor Halpin
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Presidents Prize for Craft Studies was awarded to:
David Houlihan
2.5.2 Conferring of Award Statistics
School of Business & Humanities
No of Students
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Accounting & Finance
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Community Sports Leadership
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Cultural Studies
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Public Relations
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Social Care
Bachelor of Arts in Applied Cultural Studies
Bachelor of Arts in Applied Social Studies in Social Care
Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts
Bachelor of Arts in Community Sports Leadership
Bachelor of Arts in Video & Film Production
Bachelor of Business (Hons) in International Management
Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Marketing
Bachelor of Business in Event Management
Bachelor of Business in Hospitality Management
Bachelor of Business in International Business
Bachelor of Business in International Business (Abroad)
Bachelor of Business in Management &Administration
Bachelor in Business Studies (Hons)
Bachelor in Business Studies in Event, Hospitality and Tourism
Management
Bachelor of Business Studies in Business and Information Systems
Higher Certificate in Culinary Arts
Higher Certificate in Hospitality Studies
Higher Diploma in Business Enterprise Support
Master of Arts in Accounting
Master of Business Administration
Master of Business in Entrepreneurship and Marketing
Diploma in Business & Marketing
Certificate in Business in English Language & Western Society in Culture
63
23
13
23
23
3
34
6
33
2
16
14
35
26
21
1
137
87
Total
718
33
27
22
1
1
18
1
11
11
33
16
School of Engineering
No of Students
Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Sustainable in Design
Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering
Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor of Engineering in Building Services Engineering
Bachelor of Science (Hons)in Building Surveying
Bachelor of Science in Construction Technology
Bachelor of Science in Building Surveying
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Master of Science in Renewable Energy Systems
Bachelor of Engineering in Electronic & Electrical Systems
21
34
30
6
42
13
44
26
`10
30
Total
174
School of Informatics & Creative Media
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Applied Music
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Communications (Creative Multimedia)
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Communications in Creative Media
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Video & Film Production
Bachelor of Arts in Communications in Creative Multimedia
Bachelor of Arts in Video & Film Production
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Commercial Computing
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computing in Games Development
Bachelor of Science (Hons)in Computing in Information Technology
Management
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computing in Internet Technologies
Bachelor of Science in Computing in Applications and Support
Bachelor of Science in Computing in Software Development
Bachelor of Science in Networking and Support
Doctor of Philosophy
Higher Diploma in Science in Computing
Master of Arts in Research
Master of Arts in Music Technology
Master of Science in Research
Master of Science in Music Technology
Total
22
1
20
7
32
21
15
11
9
6
5
18
24
1
20
2
4
1
4
223
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School of Health & Science
No of Students
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biopharmaceutical Science
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Food Innovation
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in General Nursing
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Health Promotion & Physical Activity
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Midwifery
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Psychiatric Nursing
Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Agriculture
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
Bachelor of Science in Applied Bioscience
Bachelor of Science in Food Science & Health
Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Science
Bachelor of Science in Professional Management of Aggression & Violence
Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Nursing
Higher Certificate in Science & Agriculture
Higher Diploma in Science in Midwifery
Certificate in General Learning
30
9
9
40
24
27
14
26
14
21
11
18
17
15
10
47
1
14
Total
347
DkIT Awards Honorary Fellowships
Dundalk Institute of Technology awarded its first Distinguished Fellowships in November 2011 to
four people who have contributed to the community of County Louth and on the International stage.
Speaking at the awards, President Denis Cummins said “When deciding on who should receive our
first ever Distinguished Fellowships, we looked at the contribution of so many people have made not
only to this region but to the country and beyond.”
The fellowships were awarded to Carmel Naughton, Joey Maher, Senator Fergal Quinn and Niall
O’Dowd.
Carmel Naughton has served on the Board of Governors at the National Gallery of Ireland for 12
years and is also President of Feis Coil. She has worked as a founding member of the National
Parents Council, primary branch and has represented that body on the Curriculum Review Board.
Joey Maher’s fellowship is in recognition of his sporting achievements which have spanned over 30
years. He became the first Irishman to win the world handball crown in Toronto in 1967. He went on
to win many major handball and softball titles until the early 1980s.
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Senator Fergal Quinn is the founder of the Super Quinn Supermarket Chain and he opened his first
store in Dundalk in 1960. The company expanded to open 20 stores, bringing employment to the
community. Senator Quinn was also chair of An Post and Irelands National St. Patricks Festival. He
made significant contributions to Irish Life becoming an Independent Senator in Seanead Éireann.
Niall O’Dowd is a writer and publisher from Drogheda Co. Louth. He received his award for his work
during the Irish Peace Process, leading a delegation to Northern Ireland after Bill Clinton was elected
President. He also acted as intermediary between Sinn Fein and the White House during this critical
time in Irish Politics. He was also played a central role in making the voice of the Irish Diaspora heard
on both sides of the Atlantic.
Senator Fergal Quinn, Carmel Naughton, Joey Maher and Niall O’Dowd who received their Honorary Fellowships at DkIT.
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2.6 International Flows
2.6.1 Incoming Erasmus Students
BUSINESS
Germany
PR
HUMANITIES
25
6
Spain
3
3
Bulgaria
3
Finland
5
France
26
Netherlands
1
HOSPITALITY
CREATIVE
MEDIA
& FILM
COMPUTING
Music
ENGINEERING
TOTAL
7
5
3
8
55
2
5
3
5
21
3
1
4
5
3
8
1
7
3
49
6
6
Denmark
2
2
Estonia
1
1
Portugal
1
1
Norway
2
2
Sweden
1
1
USA
1
1
TOTALS
70
9
5
17
13
16
2
17
149
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2.6.2 Outbound Erasmus Students
Business
Humanities
France
10
Spain
12
CSL
Hospitality
Engineering
2
Creative
Media
5
17
1
13
Germany
2
2
Portugal
2
2
Sweden
2
2
Denmark
1
1
United Kingdom
3
3
Estonia
1
1
Finland
2
2
4
43
Totals
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2
2
4
5
2.6.3 Teaching Mobility
France
Finland
Norway
Spain
Totals:
Non-Teaching
Staff Mobility
Erasmus
Spain
Finland
Totals
Department
Department
Business
Nursing
3
1
4
Department Department
Creative
Media
Music
Totals:
1
1
5
1
2
1
1
2
2
2
3
1
10
Department
2
1
3
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2.6.4 International College Partners
Bulgaria
University of National & World Economy
France
IPAC Annecy
IUT du Havre
IUT de Montpellier Beziers Sete
Universite Caholique de Lyon
Business School of France
IUT Tarbes
Universite de Caen
Universite d’Avignon
Universite de Nantes
Universite de Toulouse
Universite de La Rochelle
Universite d’Angers
Universite de Bourgogne
Universite d’Artois
Universite de Limoges
Universite de Savoie
Universite de Lille
ECAM Rennes
IUT Valence
Germany
Hochschule Nurtingen – Geislingen
FH Wedel
Westfalische Hochschule Mittelhessen
Technische Hochschule
Hochschule Heibronn
FJ Triere Birkenfeild
Hochschule Harz
Universitat Hilesheim
Hochschule Emden Leer
Fh Merseburg
Hochschule Niederrhein
Hochschule Fur Technik & Wirtschaft Berlin
Univesitat Luneburg
Italy
Universita ‘degli Studi Di Catania
Lithuania
Netherlands
Portugal
ISM University of Management & Economics
Avans Hogeschool – ‘sHertogenbosh
Instituto Politecnica de Setubal
Instituto Superior de Maia
Instituto Superior Plitecinico Gaya
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Poland
University of Lodz
Singapore
Nan Yang Politechnic
Spain
Universidad de Extermadura
Universidad de Leon
Universidad Politecnica de Valencia
Universidad Cardenal Herrara CEU
Universidad de San Pablo
Universidad Europea de Madrid
Escuela Superior de Relaciones Publicas Internacioanl Barcelona
Sweden
Umea University
USA
Lock Haven University Pennsylvania
Molloy Baker University Kansas
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2.7 The Library
The Following Innovations were introduced to the Library in 2010/2011
•
•
The introduction of a Library Information Literacy Prize
Library video competition held to commission a short film showing how to find information
in the Library
Started using social media to communicate with students
Self-issue system installed
Express PC provided on Floor 1
QR (Quick Retrieval) codes introduced
•
•
•
•
Events and activities included:

Library Facebook presence launched in September
2011

Digital photography competition held in November
2011

Poetry Reading with Martin Dyar hosted in
November 2011

Art canvas in Library October 2011 and February
2012

Pop-up libraries held across the campus during
February and March 2012
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Library video competition launched in March 2012

Information Skills prize launched in April 2012
Exploring creativity at the
Library
October 2011 – February 2012
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Space:
The Library student to seat ratio of c. 11:1 is an indication of the inadequacy of the current space to
meet the needs of the student population. All available rooms are made available to students at
times of peak demand, approaching assignment deadlines and examination times. Spaces were
reconfigured over the summer period in an effort to alleviate overcrowding and manage nose levels.
The Library has insufficient power sockets to cater for the increasing number of students who wish
to work on their own laptops.
Sustainability
The Library continued to contribute to the Green Campus initiative by: promoting recycling; using
double- sided printing whenever possible; emailing communications to user in preference to sending
paper copies; encouraging students to switch off lights when leaving study rooms; adjusting
radiators to a lower temperature; encouraging staff to use
reusable cups.
The Library also enhances the Institute’s sustainability initiatives
by promoting open access publishing through the DkIT Research
Repository, using an open source software package, eprints, to
manage this repository.
Information Skills:
The year began with all first years formally timetabled, as part of
their DkIT induction programme, to complete a walkabout tour
and discovery map exercise highlighting some of the key library
resources and locations.
Programme delivery hours and attendance figures matched the
previous years’ steady growth with in excess of 200 sessions
facilitated by Library staff with over 3000 students attending.
Feedback from both students and lecturers clearly indicated that
the programmes facilitation methods and revised content had
proved popular.
An Information Skills Prize was introduced where students were
invited to submit papers already created as part of their course
for recognition of the information skills demonstrated.
INFORMATION SKILLS
PRIZE
2011-2012
WINNERS
First Prize:
Oksana Redina (top right)
Joint Runners- up:
Yeukai Chikwamba (bottom left)
Lawrence Torris (bottom right)
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Collections:
Print Books
A total of 1425 items were received over the academic year 2011/12. Books accounted for 31.39%
of the total spend on materials.
Databases
The databases spend accounted for 57.11% of the overall spend on materials. Database usage
continues to increase and three new databases were added this year: Scopus, IEEE and TaxFind.
Journals
Expenditure on journals, both print and electronic, accounted for 21.50% of the annual spend.
Technology and Systems:
During the year we:
•
Upgraded the Millennium Library Management to the current release (Release 2011) in July
2012
•
Revised our programme codes in Millennium to facilitate the gathering of more detailed
statistics on the use of both physical and electronic resources
•
Installed a backup standalone print station for use when the IBS networked system is not
available
•
Installed a third express PC (15 minute maximum usage) beside the lift on Floor 1
•
In July 2011 we installed a self –service loan unit to help alleviate queues at the Main Desk
during periods of high demand and facilitate borrowing between 8.30 and 9.00 am when the
Main Desk is not available
•
The Library web pages are being re- designed as part of an Institute wide revamp of our web
presence
•
QR codes were introduced (Quick Retrieval codes can be scanned by smart phones or other
devices to link directly to web pages, images or text) during the summer of 2012 to enhance
our learning environment
•
Social media channels to communicate with users by establishing a presence on both
Facebook and Twitter were introduced.
The availability of a Computer Help Desk in the setting of the Whitaker Building, in proximity to the
Library, assisted students to get login problems and related issues resolved.
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2.8 Student Services
The Institutes Strategic Plan focuses on developing learners and graduates with a particular focus on
developing their personal and employability qualities. Student Services support the holistic and
personal development of learners through innovative support services. They support learners’
transition to third level by widening participation, continuing to develop and maintain supports for
the first year experience and by increasing student retention.
The Access and Disability Services work to achieve the targets set down in the HEA Strategic Plan for
access. The Careers Service enables effective feedback on the impact and employability of
graduates with the facilitation of the graduate destination survey.
Student Services support the personal, social, academic, spiritual, recreational and health needs of
learners and comprise the following:
 Access
 Administration
 Careers
 Chaplaincy
 Counselling
 Disability and Student Quality
 Health
 Sports and Societies
The majority of the services are located in the Faulkner Building. The centralisation of the services
enhances their referral capabilities.
Highlights
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All service providers have continued to see an increase in usage of their services.
There has been a strong year-on-year increase in mature student’s numbers at DkIT. The
mature student induction event was very well attended and feedback from the event was
extremely positive.
In co-operation with the Student Learning and Development Centre, IT skills and maths
tutorials were held over four days for first year mature students and feedback from
participants was again extremely positive.
Student services were involved in the training of Student Ambassadors and induction of new
students.
DkIT’s Direct Access for Travellers Scheme is one of the projects listed under the Traveller
subgroup action plan of the Louth County Council Social Inclusion Group.
The Careers Service dealt with over 500 careers queries during the past academic year, this
figure does not include telephone and email queries or attendance at group seminars.
Over 150 DkIT students attended the Grad Ireland Recruitment Fair in October and over 100
students attended the Postgrad Ireland Fair in February
The Graduate Destination Survey had a good response rate at 25%. The key findings
indicated 58.9% employment with 21.5% in further education and 22.4% seeking
employment.
The Careers Services has indicated a great increase in the number of employer vacancies
from January 2012.
In addition to group seminars provided including : Final Year Class Presentations, CV
Preparation, Interview Techniques, Postgraduate Study Options, Engineering / Nursing
28
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Career Days, the Careers Service co-ordinated workshops delivered by external
organisations on the following:
“Teacher Training in Ireland and the UK”
- “Professional Accountancy Training”
- “CV Preparation & Interview Technique for the Health Sector”
- “Job Hunting for today’s graduate – a personal and professional insight”
- “Intergrade Ireland – Fusion Jobs”
- “Jet Programme”
The Careers, Counselling and Sports and Societies services have developed Facebook pages
and Twitter accounts to keep students updated on new initiatives and relevant information
on their services.
The Counselling Service continues to liaise with outside groups in an effort to provide as
much support as possible for our students and have further developed referral pathways
when appropriate.
The Counselling Service has reduced the rate of non-attendance from 13% to 8%. The
Service was also able to increase the numbers of sessions offered to students.
The Counselling service was at the forefront of the development of Mental Health
Guidelines for the Institute.
The Counselling Service has reduced the rate of non-attendance from 13% to 8%. The
Service was also able to increase the numbers of sessions offered to students.
The Counselling Service was at the forefront of the development of Mental Health
Guidelines for the Institute.
The Counselling in conjunction with the Library have put together a bibliography list for their
service, providing a range of self-help books and on-line resources.
The Development of the role of the full time administrator to Health and Counselling with
the provision of a designated reception area for students with easy access to all medical
records.
The Sports and Societies service registered approximately 1,000 individual students on one
or more club or society.
Although space remains a challenge the Sports and Societies Service welcomed the
opportunity to avail of the timetabling system to book rooms for activities allowing for
continuity and limited disruption to events.
The number of students with a disability has continued to grow with a 24% increase on the
previous year. 123 students registered with the Disability Service, the highest recorded
figure since the service began.
Academic staff continues to be very proactive in referring student to the Disability Office
when they consider further investigation is warranted.
This year was the first year of the new scheme to widen access to the Institute for students
with a disability. This resulted in a small number of offers being made on a reduced point
basis.
DkIT won the School/College category in the Access Louth Awards, in recognition of best
practice in accessible service provision. We would like to take the opportunity to commend
our colleagues in Estates for their on-going work a commitment in increasing access to
campus facilities
29
Presentations/Seminars
Student Services Staff have contributed to a number of local and national seminars. The following is
an overview of some of the events which have taken place over the last academic year:
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“Fear& Trembling – supporting mature students through the personal and emotional
challenges of returning to education” – counselling Service presented to the National
Conference of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors.
“How to better understand and assist those students with a disability”-Disability Service
presented to DkIT Library Staff.
“Supporting Students with Disability on Clinical Placement” – Disability Service contributed
to a seminar organised by the school of Nursing and attended by the Clinical Placement
Preceptors and our partner hospitals and institutions.
The Disability Service contributed to a group convened by AHEAD to develop guidelines for
nursing students with a disability when on Clinical Placement.
Cross Border Exhibition of Training/Education Opportunities – attended by the access Officer
and Lifelong Learning Office.
Funding
Funding for the provision of support services came mainly from the Student Contribution Charge.
The Student Contribution Charge of €2,000 was introduced at the start of the academic year to
replace the Student Capitation Charge and is intended to secure a more significant contribution to
the costs of higher education from students who qualify for the HE Free Fee Scheme.
A successful grant application was made prior to the start of the academic year to State Street.
Funding of €12,322.95 was provided for access students.
Quality Assurance
As part of its operations, the majority of support services continually review student feedback to
improve the services which they provide. Direct feedback was sought from service users in the
Careers, Counselling Disability and Sports and Societies areas.
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The Counselling Service continues to benchmark its service against national statistics from
the IAUCC. The service received direct feedback from 35% of users, a significant increase of
20% on the previous year. Feedback is generally positive. The service aims to survey clients
two months after completion of counselling.
The Access Service in co-operation with the Mature Student Ireland MSI surveyed mature
students with 105 mature students responding. 79.4% of those who responded felt that the
Institutes support services met their needs with 92% either agreeing or strongly agreeing
that the Institute was a welcoming place.
The Careers Service received feedback from service users and staff using an on-line
questionnaire with feedback being generally positive with some suggestions
provided for future workshops.
30
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The Disability Service posted satisfaction surveys to all registered students. The
response rate was disappointing at 13% but this was an improvement on the
previous year.
Feedback from service users showed a high satisfaction rate with the services provided and the staff.
Staff Development
All service student service staff participated in two staff development days at the end of May where
workshops/presentations were provided by the following:
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Anne O’Connor, Access Officer, DCU provided an informative presentation on “ Supporting
Students with Disabilities”
Paul Scallon, IT Services, presented on ‘Social Media’
‘Minding Self-serving others’ – workshop facilitated by Vhi Corporate Solutions.
Challenges
Once again this year the main challenge facing the Services is the increased demand on the limited
services particularly with the increase in the numbers of non-traditional students and the
introduction of the Springboard Programmes. The financial circumstances of students also continued
to cause concern.
Some of the issues that arose during the 2011/2012 academic year included:
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A survey of mature students indicated that almost three quarters of respondents stated that
their financial situation was having an impact on their studies.
The Health Unit observed that due to the continuing economic downturn the numbers of
local students attending the unit has continued to rise.
The Health Unit was forced to introduce necessary restrictions to the service provided to
student with more emphasis on acute illness health promotion and general first aid.
The Disability Service highlighted that a small number of students continue to put them
under significant and unnecessary pressure by not disclosing their disability until late in
Semester 2.
The Counselling service noted a continual increase of 10% in the number of mature students
accessing the service which is 12% about the national average.
There are notable trends in the Counselling Service, particularly the increase in general
levels of anxiety across the sector, with this taking over from depression as the most
common mental health issue.
The Careers Service have highlighted a high usage of service from mature students and
student on Springboard Programmes who, due to their advance background, require more
in-depth career planning form a service resourced by one n Careers Officer.
Space continues to cause problems for timetabling sports and society’s activities.
31
Looking To the Future
Mental Health
Student Services in conjunction with our colleagues on the Mental Health Guidelines Group plan to
continue to develop the Mental Health Guidelines and develop an annual theme. It is hoped to
officially launch the Guidelines for World Mental Health Day in October.
The Counselling Service aim to publicise the redesigned ‘My Mind Matters’ website to advise of a
significant number of on-line uses.
We will also work with Bodywhys to set up a support group on campus for students and the local
community and to work with Bodywhys on the “Be Body Positive” campaign.
Access
The DkIT Scholarship Programme is in its 5th year of operation. There were 64 applicants for the
Scholarship in the last academic year, compared with 38 in the previous year. The Access Office has
reviewed the administration of the scholarship and has decided that applicants will only be
interviewed once they have accepted a place at DkIT. The experience over the past few years
indicates that a large proportion of applicants do not matriculate for third level study in any higher
education institution.
Marketing of Services
The Services will update the Student Services Information Leaflet and launch the Student Services
Posters with photos and contact details to be displayed in each School. The Services will present to
1st year students during departmental induction and will continue to develop the use of social media
to communicate with students.
Quality Assurance
Service Providers will continue to monitor satisfaction of their services through the various feedback
mechanisms and will continue to develop new feedback mechanisms. They will continue to meet as
a team on a regular basis to discuss issues facing students and service provision so as to continually
improve their services. Service Providers will continue to advise management of the issues facing
students.
Personnel
Student Services bid a fond farewell to two of our colleagues over the summer, Gerard Mc Hugh a
long term colleague who for the past number of years has worked as Disability Officer and Fr
Clement Mc Manuis, who has served as Institute Chaplain for the past two years. We welcome Ciara
O’Shea, Disability Officer, and Fr Paddy Rushe, Institute Chaplain, to the team.
32
2.9 Lifelong Learning
The Life Long Learning Centre at Dundalk Institute of Technology is a resource for the whole
community of the Northeast offering a range of opportunities for people to help with their
career development, to contribute to their personal growth, or to satisfy the need for
learning for its own sake.
Our range of academic and other learning opportunities not only includes dozens of courses
which have proved their popularity over the years, but also introduces some new ones to
reflecting our requirement to adapt to the changing educational and training needs of a
dynamic society.
LLL Personnel
Position
Anton Barrett
Karen English
Eileen Quinn
Manager
Administrator
Administrator
The following Programmes were advertised in 2010/2011
Computing / Mathematics
Head of Department: Dr Christian Horn
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Computers for Beginners
Computers for Silver Surfers (with Age Action Ireland)
European Driving Licence
ECDL Advanced Word Processing
ECDL Advanced Spreadsheets
Adobe Photoshop
PC Maintenance
Web Page Design
Project Management with Microsoft Project
Humanities Languages and Sports
Head of Department: Dr David Getty
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Higher Certificate in Arts in Community Studies
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Community Development
Global Development – Issues and Challenges
French – Beginners and Improvers
Spanish – Beginners and Improvers
Chinese for Beginners
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English for Speakers of Other Languages
Digital Photography
Interior Design for Beginners
Interior Design for Improvers
Diploma in Interior Design and Decoration
Certificate in Fitness Instructing (Gym)
Certificate in Study and Learning Skills
Certificate in Issues of Social Care
Certificate in Social Care and Disability
Certificate in the Modern State
Certificate in Politics in Ireland
Certificate in Global Development – Issues and Challenges
Certificate in Fitness Instructing – Active IQ Level 2
Certificate in Personal Training – Active IQ Level 3
Certificate in Reconciliation – OCR Level 3
Certificate in Peace & Reconciliation – OCR Level 3 New
Introduction to “Mind the Child”- New
French Conversation and Civilisation- New
Cambridge University First Certificate in English – Exam Preparation- New
Cambridge University Certificate in Advanced English – Exam Preparation- New
Engineering, Renewable Energy and Health & Safety
Head of School of Engineering: Mr Eugene Roe
Head of Department of Engineering Trades: Mr John Carolan
Head of Department of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering: Dr Dan O Brien
Head of Department of Construction & Surveying: Mr Noel McKenna
Head of Civil & Environmental Engineering: Mr Pat Mc Cormack
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Programme Logic Controllers – Level 1
Programme Logic Controllers – Level 2
Building & Facilities Management
Welding for Beginners
Computer Aided Design – Level 1
Computer Aided Design – Level 2
Postgraduate Diploma / MSc in Renewable Energy Systems
Certificate in Safety and Health in Work (with UCD)
Biomass Heating Systems
Heat Pump Systems
Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems
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Certificate in Safety and Health at Work (with NISO)
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Introduction to CAD for Carpentry & Joinery and Plumbing Tradesperson
Electrical Apprentices – Science Revision Course – Phase 4
Electrical Apprentices – Science Revision Course – Phase 6
Introduction to Practical Carpentry and Joinery
Advanced Practical Carpentry and Joinery for Tradesperson
Furniture Restoration
Vehicle Diagnostics & Air Conditioning Systems
Introduction to a Large Scale Wind Turbine
Business & Law
Head of School: Mr Cathal Kearney
Head of Department: Mr Shane Hill
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Certificate and Diploma in Business Studies
Degree (Hons) in Business Studies
MSc in Business Administration
MSc in Business Studies (Entrepreneurship and Marketing)
Higher Diploma in Business in Small Enterprise Support
Accounting Technician
Operations Management via e-Learning Mode
Certified Payroll Technician
MSc/PhD in Business by Research
Financial Accounting
Human Resource Management
Training and Development
Employment Law
Business Law
Corporate Governance & Company Law
Public Relations Planning
Certified VAT Technician
Certificate in Sales & Marketing
Certificate in First Line Management
Workplace Coaching for Team Leaders & First Line Managers
Social Media & Online Marketing
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Highlights
Dundalk Institute of Technology was awarded funding from the Higher Education Authority to
support 220 unemployed people take part in 15 part time education programmes under the 2012
Springboard Programme. The 2012 Springboard allocations were announced by the Minister for
Education and Skills Minister Ruairi Quinn. Springboard allows unemployed persons who undertake
courses to retain their benefits and if they find a job, they will be encouraged to finish their course.
Dundalk Institute of Technology is offering 15 Springboard courses through its Life Long Learning
Centre. The courses span a range of academic levels and cover such areas as Digital marketing,
Business Entrepreneurship, renewable Energy Systems, Bio-Parma, Agri-waste Management and
Games Design and Computing.
Mark Glynn, Head of Learning Unit with IOTI, Cornila Connolly, Lecturer
In Dept. of Computing & Math DkIT and Anton Barrett, Life Long
Learning DkIT at the Launch of the Springboard Initiative.
Speaking at the initiative Anton Barrett,
Head of the Life Long Learning at DkIT said
“Springboard is a terrific opportunity for people who have found themselves out of work as a result
of the economic recession to reboot their careers. At a time when the cost of everything seems to be
rising along comes this excellent government scheme that provides jobseekers with an opportunity
to supplement their skills with new higher education qualifications targeted at job rich sectors for
free”.
VALIDATING AUTHORITIES
The Life Long Learning Centre is engaged with the following of validating authorities.
HETAC
Institute of Public Administration
Accounting Technicians of Ireland
Institute of Bankers
Certified Institute of Personal Development
Irish marketing Institute
Irish Institute of Purchasing and Materials Management
UCD
National Irish Safety Organisation
CISCO
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2.9 School Reports
2.9.1 School of Business & Humanities
Student Numbers by Department
Department
Humanities
Hospitality
Management & Financial
Studies
Business Studies
Total
Numbers
495
208
586
669
1958
Highlights of the Year
An impressive total of five students from the School of Business and Humanities received awards
from the President of the College. Robert Bowens received the President’s Award for Academic
Excellence. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Accounting & Finance achieving an
overall grade of 86%. Zhou Tong gained her Master of Arts in Accounting and John Killeen received
his Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Hospitality Management and both received the President Prize for
Academic Excellence. Martin Tiernan received the award for Academic Excellence in gaining his
degree in Business Management & Administration. The President’s Prize for Enterprising Student of
the Year went to Jessica O’Connor-Moneley. She also received her Bachelor of Business Studies,
Management & Administration Studies.
Mary Kavanagh, who worked in DkIT for over 23 years, retired in December. Mary was an Assistant
Lecturer in the Business Department and will be missed by all her colleagues and students alike. We
would like to wish Mary health and happiness in her retirement.
Katherina Nugent joined the College earlier this year. Katherina is a Lecturer in the Humanities
Department.
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2.9.2 School of Engineering
Student Numbers by Department
Department
Dept. of Civil & Environmental
Engineering
Dept. of Construction & Surveying
Dept. of Electronic & Mechanical
Engineering
Dept. of Electrical Trades
Numbers
Total
93
178
335
335
941
Highlights of the Year
James Redmond was the winner of The President’s Prize for Student of the Year. He received a
Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering gaining an overall grade of 88.9%.
The Presidents Prize for Academic Excellence was awarded to Brendan Crawley who received a BSc
in Mechanical Engineering and Emmet Fealy who received a BSc in Electrical & Electronic Systems.
David Houlihan received the Presidents Prize for Craft Studies. David completed a Certificate in
Trade Carpentry and Joinery Studies.
A number of long serving staff members retired from the school during this academic year:
Peter Carolan (Mechanical Engineering)
Gerry Woods (Electrical Engineering)
Gerard Closkey (Mechanical Engineering)
Kevin Carroll (Civil/Construction)
We also had a number of new staff joining the School:
Dr Ruari McCool (Mechanical Engineering)
Dermot Clarke (Mechanical Engineering)
Brendan Walsh (Civil Engineering)
Paul Egan (Electronic Engineering)
Brain Harmon (Civil Engineering)
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2.9.3 School of Informatics & Creative Arts
Highlights of the Year
Making Movies at DkIT
A short film, Solaria, made by students from DkIT has received much praise after two separate
screenings in Ireland. Darren O’ Connor, John Hoey, Rossa O’Dowd and Craig Broughton made the
film as part of their fourth year Practice Based Research Project on the BA(Hons) in Video & Film
Production. The Waterford Film Festival will give Solaria its first viewing in October while the “Film
Devour Short Film Festival” in Belfast will have a screening in their Black Box venue in November.
‘Solaria’ has also been selected for the International
Sci-fi Film Festival which takes place in March in Phoenix, Arizona.
‘Solaria centres on Alex Russell, a geneticist on board the Solaria Research Station and was shot
locally in Dundalk.
Meanwhile, A Pedigree Performance, a short documentary by lecturer Sarah McCann is to be
screened at the Kerry Film Festival, which took place in October. The documentary is a light-hearted
look at an average show day for a pedigree Charolaise breeder. For more information check out
http://www.kerryfilmfestival.com.
DkIT Musicians Perform at Birr Castle
Singers and Musicians from DkIT’s Music Department were invited on a return visit to Birr Castle in
June by Lord and Lady Rosse to a performance of an early 19th century Egan harp, which has been in
the Rosse family for over 200years. The harp has been restrung and polished by Dr Helen Lawlor of
DkIT’s Department of Music and Creative Media. Helens arrangement of O’Carolan music was
performed in the original style of early harpers and she was joined by Ling Wei Chua, a first year
music student on the Chinese Pipa, another beautifully sounding stringed instrument.
39
Baritones Paidi O Dublhain, Dermot O’Connor and
Suibhan O Dubhanin performed a number of operatic arias reflecting the varied collection of music
in the Birr Castle Archives. Violinist Dr Eibhlis Farrell played a number of pieces from an early edition
of Moore’s melodies form the Birr archive. They were joined by Dr Daithi Kearney and members of
the Ceol Oirghialla traditional Music Ensemble for a lively collection of dance music featuring tunes
from Counties Offaly, Louth and Down.
Ling Wei Chua plays the Chinese Pipa at Birr Castle
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2.9.4 School of Health & Science
Department
Department of Applied Science
Department of Nursing & Midwifery
Total
Numbers
229
118
347
Highlights of the Year
The Department of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Studies in association with STAT Sports, are pleased
to introduce a new laboratory and performance based fitness assessment for athletes of all
disciplines from January 2012. This partnership has been forged between the Department of
Nursing, Midwifery and Health Studies and local business STATSports, who offers sport science
consultancy and GPS analysis service.
This will provide students of the BSc in Health & Physical Activity with an
exciting opportunity to develop and improve their skills in athletic testing and
performance analysis. The Fitness Testing Programme can be undertaken by
competitive and non-competitive athletes who want to improve their current
fitness levels and gain tip scientific analysis.
Three Students from the School of Health and Science received the President’s Award for Academic
Excellence. Stephen Fedigan received a BA in Biopharmaceutical Science and Michelle Reilly received
a BA in Environmental Biology. Ann Maire Murray gained a Higher Diploma in Midwifery.
Congratulations to the Students on their brilliant achievement.
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2.11 Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT)
The Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching in Dundalk Institute of Technology is located in
the South Building Room S201 to S205. It provides a range of services to both staff and students,
including the following:
Professional Development Events
The following Programme of Master Classes and Workshops was offered during the academic year,
2011-2012:
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Strategies to improve classroom interaction
Criterion-based assessment – principles of effective design
Everything you need to know about Learning Outcomes!
Teaching International Students: Enhancing Learning for All
Internationalising Modules
Designing Online Quizzes and Grade Setting
Improving Student Learning: the role of assessment criteria and processes
Online Quizzes: True/False, Multiple Choice and Missing Word
Introduction to Moodle: Switching on, Logging in and Finding Way Around
Guest presentations were made during the year by Professor Ray Land, Professor David Nicol and
Dr. Declan Kennedy, all internationally-acclaimed researchers. Professor Land’s topic was
‘Threshold Concepts’, Professor Nicol’s ‘Assessment and Feedback’ and Dr. Kennedy’s ‘Learning
Outcomes’. Attendance at all events was excellent. In partnership with the Institutes of Technology
in Blanchardstown, Carlow and Tallaght, the Centre also organised a National Symposium on the
‘Repositioning of Assessment for Student-centred Learning’, which was held in the Chartered
Accountants House, Pearse Street, Dublin, on 14 May, 2012. Attendees came from all third-level
institutions in Ireland. Many staff from Dundalk presented posters on the Symposium’s theme. In
addition, the Centre contributed to the Institute’s Academic Staff Induction Programme,
September, 2011.
A pilot of the Adobe Connect platform with ten academic staff commenced in January, 2012, in
conjunction with staff of the Department of Computing and Mathematics, where the tool was used
to support the remote delivery of lectures, practical and tutorials.
Staff who had been awarded NDLR funding attended the NDLR ‘Fest’ in Trinity College, March 2011,
when Poster presentations of their work were placed on view.
e-Learning Development and Support Unit, S204
Professional Development events organised by the Unit included the following:
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Introduction to Moodle: January, 2012
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Online Communication and Collaboration Tools 1: March, 2012
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E-portfolios with Mahara: March, 2012
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Online Communication and Collaboration Tools 2: April, 2012
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Classroom Response Systems (CRS): May, 2012
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CELT Documents and Resources
The following documents and resources were produced for the use of students and staff during this
period:
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Project Supervision Guidelines for Staff and Students
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E-Learning Development Unit skills4studycampus Staff Quick Start
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Effective Supervision of Research Degrees Guide
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Dundalk Institute of Technology Learning and Teaching Policy
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The First Year Experience and Retention: Guidelines for Effective Practice
CELT Showcase, June 2012
On June 7th 2012, CELT showcased a Poster Exhibition in the Foyer of the Nursing Building featuring a
range of learning and teaching innovations undertaken by Institute colleagues. The opening of the
exhibition was preceded by a Guest Presentation from Dr Claire McAvinia NUI, Maynooth entitled,
‘Best practice, and the case of the VLE’.
Student Learning and Development Centre (SLDC)
In September 2011, the SLDC organised and co-ordinated the first centralised Induction
programme for new students coming to DkIT. The Induction programme was designed to include
social, geographical, academic/task and system activities with the aim of enhancing the First Year
Experience and addressing issues of retention. Student Ambassadors were involved in the First Year
Induction for the very first time. A survey of Induction revealed that the programme offered had
been highly successful, with many commenting on how valuable a process it had been. Special
mention was made of the role of the student ambassador.
Student Learning and Development Centre Training Events
The following events were organised for students and staff throughout the year:
Skills4studycampus
A limited pilot of this resource ran from November 2011 to December 2012. Skills4studycampus
(http://www.palgrave.com/skills4studycampus/) is a fully interactive e-learning resource designed to
help students develop the study skills they need to be successful, and is suitable for students on all
programmes and in any year of study. The resource contains interactive content relating to the
following study skills topics:
 Getting Ready for Academic Study
 Reading and Note-Taking
 Critical Thinking skills
 Writing skills
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Referencing and Plagiarism
 Group work and Presentations
Tutorials on the following were also provided through the Centre:
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Academic Writing
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Referencing and Plagiarism
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Reviewing Literature
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Research Techniques/Methods
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Study Skills
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Exam Techniques
43
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IT Tuition, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Moodle, File Management
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Presentation Skills
The Centre also contributed to the First Year Student Induction week and was responsible for
Ambassador Training (n=43) as well as Maths Induction for Business and Engineering students.
A total of 785 students used the Student Learning and Development Centre in 2011/12
Master of Arts in Learning and Teaching
The first set of graduates from the MALT programme received their awards at Conferring, 2012.
This was an auspicious and memorable occasion:
 15 participants graduated with a Master of Arts in Learning and Teaching
 2 participants graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Learning and Teaching
 2 participants graduated with a Postgraduate Certificate in Arts in Learning and Teaching
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Section 3
Research & Development
3.1 Research and Innovation
3.2 Campus Developments
45
3.1 Research & Innovation
Dundalk Institute of Technology is one of the leading researches intensive Institutes with an
emphasis upon research which possesses real societal and economic impact whilst addressing
current global challenges. The institute’s strategic focus is in three key areas – ICT, Health & Ageing,
Energy & Environment and Creative Arts with themes supported by interdisciplinary research
clusters.
These clusters are comprised of the Institutes research centres and research groups which are
embedded across the four academic schools. They all share the required critical mass of world class
researchers whose research outputs are internationally benchmarked. They undertake
interdisciplinary research of a translational nature whilst possessing state of the art infrastructure
and facilities.
The Netwell Centre, which develops new ideas to enhance the well-being and quality of life of older
people in the community, has been selected to join in a worldwide group of centres of excellence
into ageing research in Ireland.
The Centre is one of only three Irish locations to be selected to join the Global Ageing Research
Network alongside Aois agus Eolas (Tallaght Hospital and Trinity College Dublin) and the Irish Centre
for Social Gerontology (NUIG).
“As an Institute of Technology we are very proud to achieve
this global recognition and it is a further endorsement of
DkIT’s progressive approach. Participation within this global
network will strengthen our impact regionally, nationally and
internationally” said Centre Director Rodd Bond.
The Netwell Centre and CASALA, its sister technology and
ageing centre are committed to enhancing longer living in
smarter places. This is achieved through more integrated
community-oriented services, more sustainable home and
neighbourhood design and more age friendly technologies. The Louth Age Friendly programme was
recently highlighted by the World Health Organisation’s head of ageing John Beard as a leading
example for the world to follow.
46
RESEARCH OFFICE
REPORT FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2011/2012
3.1.1 RESEARCH AWARDS AND INCOME
During the academic year the institute secured €6.4M in research awards from both national and
international sources with €713,783 being awarded from Irish public sources as shown in the Figure
below. €5.36M was received as research income by the end of 2011.
47
3.1.2 SUMMARY OF RESEARCH INITIATIVES AWARDS
During the academic year the Research Office ran a series of targeted support research initiatives
which are detailed below.
PhD Transfer Fund 2011
8 Postgraduates Supported
15 Research Supervisors Supported
€133,500 Total Funding
Seed Fund for Emerging Researchers
4 Number of Awards
4 Number of Emerging Researchers Supported
€16,758 Research Funding Invested
Summer Undergraduate Research Programme
20 Number of Awards
20 Number of Undergraduates Supported
€25,720 Research Funding Invested
1. POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH DEGREE GRADUATIONS NOVEMBER 2012
There were ten postgraduate research degree graduations in 2011 including 3 MAs, 3 MScs and
3PhDs bringing the total number of postgraduate research graduations to 43, including 7 PhDs, 17
MSc’s and 19 MAs.
2. RESEARCH OUTPUT – SCOPUS ANALYSIS
By the end of 2012 the Institute had 1004 total citations with 118 articles, 95 conference papers and
16 book chapters as captured through Scopus. This does not include research output from Music and
some other disciplines.
Peer Reviewed Research Articles
Jennings, E., Jones, S., Arvola, L., Staehr, P.A., Gaiser, E., Jones, I.D., Weathers, K.C.,
Weyhenmeyer, G.A., Chiu, C.-Y., De Eyto, E. Effects of weather-related episodic events in lakes: an
analysis based on high-frequency data, (2012) Freshwater Biology, 57 (3), pp. 589-601.
Transition metal ion-substituted polyoxometalates entrapped in polypyrrole as an electrochemical
sensor for hydrogen peroxide, Anwar, N., Vagin, M., Laffir, F., Armstrong, G., Dickinson, C.,
McCormac, T. (2012) Analyst, 137 (3), pp. 624-630.
Concept of death and perceptions of bereavement in adults with intellectual disabilities
(2012) Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 56 (2), pp. 191-203. McEvoy, J., Machale, R.,
Tierney, E.
'Not enough people to look after you': An exploration of women's experiences of childbirth in the
Republic of Ireland Larkin, P., Begley, C.M., Devane, D. (2012) Midwifery, 28 (1), pp. 98-105.
Fast cyclic voltammetry of redox system NAD +/NADH on the copper nanodoped mercury
monolayer carbon fiber electrode, (2012) Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, 665, pp. 12-19.
Munteanu, G., Dempsey, E., McCormac, T., Munteanu, C.
48
Surface immobilisation of the sandwich type Na 14[Fe 4(Ox) 4(H 2O) 2(SbW 9O 33) 2]·60H 2O
polyoxometalate, (2012) Electrochimica Acta, 59, pp. 1-7. Anwar, N., McCormac, T., Compain, J.D.,
Mialane, P., Dolbecq, A., Laffir, F.
Molecular determinants of ivermectin sensitivity at the glycine receptor chloride channel, (2011)
Journal of Biological Chemistry, 286 (51), pp. 43913-43924. Lynagh, T., Webb, T.I., Dixon, C.L.,
Cromers, B.A., Lynch, J.W.
Exploring the experiences of people with intellectual disabilities when service users die
(2011) British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 39 (4), pp. 259-265. Ryan, K., Guerin, S., Dodd, P.,
McEvoy, J.
Surface immobilisation of transition metal substituted Krebs type polyoxometalates,
[X2W20M2O70(H 2O)6]n- (X = Bi or Sb, M = Co2+ or Cu2+), by the layer by layer technique (2011)
Electrochimica Acta, 56 (28), pp. 10751-10761. Murphy, A.F., McCormac, T.
Contribution of K v2.1 channels to the delayed rectifier current in freshly dispersed smooth muscle
cells from rabbit urethra, (2011) American Journal of Physiology - Cell Physiology, 301 (5), pp. C1186C1200. Kyle, B., Bradley, E., Ohya, S., Sergeant, G.P., Mchale, N.G., Thornbury, K.D., Hollywood, M.A.
Physical game demands in Elite Rugby Union: A global positioning system analysis and possible
implications for rehabilitation, (2011) Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 41 (8), pp.
600-605. Coughlan, G.F., Green, B.S., Pook, P.T., Toolan, E., O'Connor, S.P.
P2X receptor currents in smooth muscle cells contribute to nerve mediated contractions of rabbit
urethral smooth muscle, (2011) Journal of Urology, 186 (2), pp. 745-752. Bradley, E., Kadima, S.,
Kyle, B., Hollywood, M.A., Thornbury, K.D., McHale, N.G., Sergeant, G.P.
Nitrogen removal in an integrated constructed wetland treating domestic wastewater (2011) Journal
of Environmental Science and Health - Part A Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental
Engineering, 46 (7), pp. 742-750. Dzakpasu, M., Hofmann, O., Scholz, M., Harrington, R., Jordan, S.N.,
McCarthy, V.
Impact of hydraulic loading rate and season on water contaminant reductions within integrated
constructed wetlands, (2011) Wetlands, 31 (3), pp. 499-509. Dong, Y., Wilinski, P.R., Dzakpasu, M.,
Scholz, M.
Communication contexts about illness, death and dying for people with intellectual disabilities and
life-limiting illness (2011) Palliative and Supportive Care, 9 (2), pp. 201-208. Ryan, K., Guerin, S.,
Dodd, P., McEvoy, J.
End-of-Life Care for People with Intellectual Disabilities: Paid Carer Perspectives (2011) Journal of
Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 24 (3), pp. 199-207. Ryan, K., Guerin, S., Dodd, P.,
Mcevoy, J.
Impact of Hydraulic Loading Rate and Season on Water Contaminant Reductions Within Integrated
Constructed Wetlands (2011) Wetlands, pp. 1-11. Article in Press. Dong, Y., Wiliński, P.R., Dzakpasu,
M., Scholz, M.
49
Expert and novice end-user spreadsheet debugging: A comparative study of performance and
behaviour (2011) Journal of Organizational and End User Computing, 23 (2), pp. 57-80. Bishop, B.,
McDaid, K.
Rho-associated kinase plays a role in rabbit urethral smooth muscle contraction, but not via
enhanced myosin light chain phosphorylation (2011) American Journal of Physiology - Renal
Physiology, 300 (1), pp. F73-F85. Walsh, M.P., Thornbury, K., Cole, W.C., Sergeant, G., Hollywood,
M., McHale, N.
Carbon supported cobalt and nickel based nanomaterials for direct uric acid determination
(2011) Electroanalysis, 23 (1), pp. 79-89. Singh, B., Laffir, F., Dickinson, C., McCormac, T., Dempsey, E.
Conference Papers
Design considerations in therapeutic exergaming, (2011) 2011 5th International Conference on
Pervasive Computing Technologies for Healthcare and Workshops, PervasiveHealth 2011, art. no.
6038836, pp. 389-393. Doyle, J., Kelly, D., Caulfield, B.
Interpreting presence sensor data and looking for similarities between homes using cluster analysis,
(2011) 2011 5th International Conference on Pervasive Computing Technologies for Healthcare and
Workshops, PervasiveHealth 2011, art. no. 6038845, pp. 438-445. Loane, J., O'Mullane, B., Bortz, B.,
Knapp, R.B.
Requirements gathering for the delivery of healthcare data in aware homes, (2011) 2011 5th
International Conference on Pervasive Computing Technologies for Healthcare and Workshops,
PervasiveHealth 2011, art. no. 6038807, pp. 254-257. Doyle, J., O'Mullane, B., O'Hanlon, A., Knapp,
R.B.
Computer-aided self-assessment and independent learning in higher education, (2011) CSEDU 2011 Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Computer Supported Education, 2, pp. 139-142.
Morris, P., Dowdall, S.
Range names: A risky practice in spreadsheet development? (2011) ICSOFT 2011 - Proceedings of the
6th International Conference on Software and Database Technologies, 1, pp. 269-274. McKeever, R.,
McDaid, K.
Proposing an ISO/IEC 15504-2 compliant method for process capability/maturity models
customization, (2011) Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in
Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics), 6759 LNCS, pp. 44-58. Hauck, J.C.R., Von
Wangenheim, C.G., Mc Caffery, F., Buglione, L.
Med-Trace (2011) Communications in Computer and Information Science, 155 CCIS, pp. 208-211.
McCaffery, F., Casey, V.
Communications in Computer and Information Science: Preface (2011) Communications in
Computer and Information Science, 155 CCIS, . O'Connor, R.V., Rout, T., McCaffery, F., Dorling, A.
DOCUMENT TYPE: Editorial
Verification & validation in Medi SPICE (2011) Communications in Computer and Information
Science, 155 CCIS, pp. 73-83. Sivakumar, M.S., Casey, V., McCaffery, F., Coleman, G.
Standalone software as an active medical device, (2011) Communications in Computer and
Information Science, 155 CCIS, pp. 97-107, McHugh, M., McCaffery, F., Casey, V.
50
Challenges for requirements development: An industry perspective, (2011) Communications in
Computer and Information Science, 155 CCIS, pp. 217-220, Kelly, S., Keenan, F., McCaffery, F.
51
3.2 Campus Development
A major upgrade of our computer server environment was carried out with a migration from Novell
Netware to Windows 2008 Server. This migration involved the following changes:




Installation of Windows Server 2008 environment
Windows Training for all Computer Services Staff
Migrations of users & desktops to new server infrastructure (circa 550 desktops)
Integration of PC Lab environment to Window server environment.
The Regional Development Centre
The highlights for the Academic Year 2011-2012 in the RDC are as follows:
Across its Enterprise Support Programmes the RDC supported circa 61 graduates /entrepreneurs:



NEPP 2011 - 13
NFP 2012 – 29 (High-tech Knowledge based Business Starts)
Bright Ideas - 19
The New Frontiers Entrepreneur Development Programme provides start-up and early stage
technology entrepreneurs with a suite of soft and hard supports to start, grow and develop their
business in three phases over a 12 month period. Funded by Enterprise Ireland under Ireland’s
EU Structural Funds Programme (2007 – 2013) in its first year the New Frontiers Programme has
supported 29 start-ups throughout Cavan, Louth, Meath, Monaghan and Dublin North in 2012.
The Programme is delivered in collaboration with Invent DCU in a continuation of their
partnership formed in May 2011 during New Frontiers Precursor Programme the Novation
Enterprise Platform Programme (NEEP).
The Student Enterprise Intern Programme (SEI): Since 2007, the Regional Development Centre
at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) has spearheaded the promotion of an Enterprise
Culture on the campus that included the launching of the Student Enterprise Intern Programme.
The Student Enterprise Intern (SEI) Programme in 2012 currently includes cross faculty (x2) and
school embedded interns(x3) (School of Engineering (x1), Schools of Health and Science (x1) and
School of Informatics & Creative Media (x1)) The role of the Intern is to work for 18 hours per
week on the Programme promoting entrepreneurship throughout the campus whilst studying
for a Master’s Degree (funded through a scholarship provided by DkIT). Throughout the
academic year the SEI programme manages many initiatives including enterprise orientated
competitions and guest speakers. Since April 2009, the SEI Programme has also managed the
Student Innovation Fund (SIF) aimed at providing ‘seed capital’ of up to €1,000 for prototyping,
market research, etc. for individual Student Projects, and managed the Bright Ideas Programme
(BIP), which is a programme of interactive workshops for prospective students to assist them
develop business ideas. 19 students completed the Bright Ideas Programme in 2012. The
programme also manages the Bright Ideas Lab which is reserved workspace in the Regional
Development Centre for students to run their business. These combined initiatives allow
the SEI programme to offer ‘concrete’ support to student businesses and ideas. This has
accelerated the SEI programme enabling students to start businesses and develop
projects.
52
There were 21 companies residing in the Incubation Centre at the RDC and Millmount
Development Centre, Drogheda.
(a) The Institute was involved in 18 research vouchers schemes, 1 Innovation Partnerships and 5
additional FUSION Projects with industry in 2011/2012.
(b) A Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Strategy (KT&IS) was prepared which outlines in detail the
measures to be taken by the Institute to support the economic, social and cultural development
of the region. The KT&IS was prepared by the Development Office and embraces the work of
the RDC and Research Centres and includes a set of metrics and targets for the next 5-year
period. This is reported on annually
In addition to the on-going operation and management of the incubation facilities at the RDC and
Millmount, Drogheda, the following outlines the range of projects delivered by the RDC in 2012
aimed at supporting new and existing businesses and encouraging enterprise development within
the student body.

The €2.5 million Innovation for Competitive Enterprises Programme (ICE) is assisting SMEs to
develop their potential for innovation through a unique practical innovation learning
programme. 31 companies completed the Innovation Learning Programme during this
period with an additional 33 companies continuing to pursue innovation projects into 2013.
In total 90 companies across three regions will have been involved in innovation
management processes and increasing competitiveness and improving profitability, through
the development of new/improved products, services, processes, business models and
technology transfer. ICE is a collaboration between the University of Glasgow, Glasgow
Caledonian University, the University of Ulster and is being led by Dundalk Institute of
Technology. The Programme is funded by the European Union’s INTERREG IVA cross border
programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body with match financial assistance
from Scottish Enterprise and the accountable departments in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The Success Through Succession (STS) Programme was established to support the
sustainability of family businesses. The STS Programme adopts a unique business psychology
approach to deal with the issues facing individual family businesses. Whilst succession issues
may not be at the forefront of daily operations in family businesses, it is thought these issues
affect the growth and development of many SMEs in Ireland. The STS Programme is aimed
at leading family businesses to work through succession issues with a dedicated team of
experts and the support of other companies facing the same issues. It is designed to help
second and third generation family-owned businesses prepare for and move through the
challenges of succession planning. The STS completed in July 2012 with 22 companies in the
six southern border counties completed the programme which includes research outputs in
the form of 22 SME Case Stories. STS is collaboration between the Glasgow Caledonian
University, the University of Ulster and Dundalk Institute of Technology. The Programme is
funded by the European Union’s INTERREG IVA cross border programme, managed by the
Special EU Programmes Body with match financial assistance from Scottish Enterprise and
the accountable departments in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The ACE (Accelerating Campus Entrepreneurship) Initiative is a joint collaboration
between Cork Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Blanchardstown,
53
Institute of Technology Sligo, and National University of Ireland Galway and is led by
Dundalk Institute of Technology (Reference www.aceinitiative.ie) which is partfunded by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) in Ireland and the Partner Institutes.
In 2012, the collaboration has since extended to include DCU, IADT and DIT. The on-going
activities fall under the remit of the National Platform for Engagement.
Overall, this project aims to provide innovative approaches to entrepreneurship education
to ensure students from non-business programmes take enterprise related modules with the
aim of creating the entrepreneurial graduate. The initiative presents a highly strategic
approach to embed entrepreneurship education into undergraduate and postgraduate nonbusiness programmes. It aims to ensure capacity building on a cross-institutional basis and
with input from industry. It also seeks to develop tangible links between academia
(Faculties, Schools and Departments) and the campus incubation centers and technology
transfer/industrial liaison functions.
The project launched its Evaluation Report in April 2012 at the HETAC Conference in Dublin
Castle. The report outlined the achievements of the initiative as follows:
Table 1 - Achievement of the Measurable Indicators
Deliverable
Target
Achieved
40
158
100
336
500
11,838
60
123
Student internships
5
17
Entrepreneurs in Residence*
Student
business
projects
exploring
commercialisation
opportunities
through
Incubation Centers/TTOs
New ventures established in the last three years
based on technology transfer
Conference papers developed and presented based
on data emanating from the ACE initiative
0*
4
20
349
10
66
5
13
Staff involved in working on programme
development and delivery
Science and Technology students engaged in
entrepreneurship accredited training
Other students involved in related activities over
the ACE programmes lifetime
Academics and non-academics involved in
entrepreneurship staff development programmes
Through cost-effective initiatives such as the ACE Initiative, the enterprise agenda can be
developed and entrepreneurship activity supported in order to drive the institutional
support for innovation and entrepreneurship. It has long since been recognised that the
54
education sector plays a critical role in driving national competitiveness; which underlines
the critical importance of the ACE Initiative.
The ACE initiative directly addresses the aims and objective of the recently published
National Strategy for Irish Higher Education to 2030 in terms of its:



Collaborative approach
Wider Engagement with Industry
Development of the student experience to encompass wider generic skills as
well as discipline specific skills
HETAC in conjunction with the ACE Initiative also published its draft guidelines and selfevaluation criteria for enterprise and entrepreneurship education (EEE) for adoption across
the sector in 2012.

The RDC has recently received approval for two further projects.
The VITAL Project - new venture creation through the matching of validated knowledge
based ideas and technologies with experienced/seasoned entrepreneurs and SMEs (smallmedium sized enterprises) and fast tracking the route to market. The project aims, through
this unique and innovative approach, to promote regional economic growth and
development by building the indigenous SME base within the knowledge based sectors in
Northern Ireland and the six southern border counties of Ireland and thus creating and
safeguarding sustainable jobs. A new venture is defined as a new knowledge based business
start-ups, new business ideas implemented within existing businesses or new license or
technology transfer opportunities exploited. The approach of successfully matching a
validated knowledge based idea with a seasoned entrepreneur or well established SME
provides the most efficient and effective way of commercialising a business proposition and
fast tracking the route to market. This approach to new business creation makes the VITAL
initiative a novel and innovative project aimed directly at meeting the economic challenges
and needs of the eligible areas in terms of knowledge based start-ups, providing new
commercial opportunities for existing SMEs and creating employment opportunities as well
as reducing the risk associated with new venture start-ups. The project is a €2.5m joint
55
collaboration of Queen’s University Belfast, Dublin City University and led by Dundalk
Institute of Technology with industry representation.
Honeycomb - Creative Works is a stg£3.58m project aimed at addressing the economic,
educational, social and cultural needs of the creative industries sector focusing upon those
companies, firms, organisations and individuals that play a role or have a vested interest in
the development of the digital content sub sector and in particular, film and broadcast,
animation, computer games, interactive media and music technologies. The Partnership is
led by the University of Ulster supported by Dundalk Institute of Technology and Creative
Skillsets. The range of activities which will be delivered over a three year period across the
eligible area include: Intelligence Gathering; Developing Networks of Scale, Skills
Development and Enterprise Development and Project Finance.
56
Section 4
Human Resource Department
4.1 New Staff
4.2 Leavers
4.3 Retirees
57
4.1 New Staff
Name
Department
Research & Development
Lyubou Bragina
Derek Flood
Anita Finnegan
Anne Murphy
Lyndsey Toner
External Researcher
Research Assistant
External Researcher
External Researcher
External Researcher
Capitation
Mairead Bowe
Damian Whelan
Clerical Officer
Clerical Officer
Department of Engineering
Rauri McCool
Brendan Walsh
Brian Harmon
Paul Egan
Electronic & Mechanical Engineering
Civil & Environmental Engineering
Civil & Environmental Engineering
Electronic & Mechanical Engineering
School of Informatics & Creative Media
David Kearney
Niall Coghlan
Matthew Green
Music & Creative Media
Music & Creative Media
Music & Creative Media
Department of Business & Humanities Department
Katerina Nugent
Ann McGeeney
Humanities
Humanities
Department of Health & Science
Adam Carson
John Reid
Applied Science
Nursing & Midwifery & Health Studies
Louise Wayenberg
International Office
Francis Hutchinson
Registrars
58
Gemma Santolaria Callan
Library
4.2 Leavers
Name
Department
Registrars
Clement Mac Manus
Baiba Engele
Administration
Administration
School of Informatics & Creative Media
Deborah Armstrong
Mary Mc Cague
Anne Hyland
Music & Creative Media
Music & Creative Media
Music & Creative Media
Research & Development
Matthew Seaver
Catherine Murray
Ann Loftus
Joanne Carolan
Mary Earle
External Researcher
External Researcher
Researcher on EU Projects
Internal Researcher
Internal Researcher
Department of Engineering
Donal Kelly
Engineering Trades
Department of Health & Science
Brendan Kelly
Trina Mc Nicholas
Applied Science
Administration Nursing
Department of Business & Humanities
Maurice Murphy
Ciaran Cawley
Management & Finance
Computing & Mathematics
Sorcha Brophy
Suzanne Mulholland
Library
Library
Shauna Curtis
Capitation
59
4.3 Retirements
Name
Department
Gerard Mc Hugh
Registrars
Peter J Carolan
John B Gilmore
James G Woods
Gerard Cluskey
Thomas N Stapleton
Kevin Carroll
Department of Engineering
Department of Engineering
Department of Engineering
Department of Engineering
Department of Engineering
Department of Engineering
Brendan Johnston
Eugene Kelly
Maire Connolly
Mary Kavanagh
Department of Business & Humanities
Department of Business & Humanities
Department of Business & Humanities
Department of Business & Humanities
Cornelius Murray
Margaret Murray
Iain Hovelt
Department of Health & Science
Department of Health & Science
Department of Health & Science
Finatan Vallely
School of Informatics & Creative Media
60
Section 5
Audited Accounts
5.1 Comptroller and Auditor General
5.2 Consolidated Income and Expenditure Account
5.3 Consolidated Balance Sheet
61
5.1 Comptroller and Auditor General
Report for Presentation to the House of the Oireachtas
Dundalk Institute of Technology
I have audited the financial statements of Dundalk Institute of Technology for the year ended 31
August 2011 under the Institute of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006. The financial statements, which
have been prepared under the accounting policies set out therein, comprise the statement of
accounting policies, the consolidated income and expenditure account, the consolidated balance
sheet, the consolidated cash flow statement and the related notes. The financial reporting
framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and generally accepted
accounting practice in Ireland.
Responsibilities of the Institute
The Institute is responsible for the preparation of the financial statements, for ensuring that they
give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s affairs and of the Group’s income and
expenditure and for ensuring the regularity of transactions.
Responsibilities of the Comptroller and Auditor General
My responsibility is to audit the financial statements and report on them in accordance with
applicable law.
My audit is conducted by reference to the special considerations which attach to bodies in receipt of
substantial funding from the State in relation to their management and operation.
My audit is carried out in accordance with the International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland)
and in compliance with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.
Scope of audit of the financial statements
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements,
sufficient to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material
misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an assessment of
 Whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the Institute’s circumstances and have
been consistently applied and adequately disclosed.
 the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made in the preparation of the
financial statements
 the overall presentation of the financial statements
I also seek to obtain evidence about the regularity of financial transactions in the course of the audit.
62
Opinion on the financial statements
In my opinion, the financial statements, which have been properly prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting practice in Ireland, give a true and fair view of the state of the
Group’s affairs at 31st August 2011 and of the Group’s income and expenditure for the year the
ended.
In my opinion proper books of account have been kept by the Institute. The financial statements are
in agreement with the books of account.
Matters on which I report by exception
I report by exception if




I have not received all the information and explanations I required for my audit, or
My audit noted any material instance where money have not been applied for the purposes
intended or where the transactions did not conform to the authorities governing them or,
The Statement on Internal Control does not reflect the Institute’s compliance with the Code
of Governance of Irish Institutes of Technology, or
I find there are other material matters relating to the manner in which public business has
been conducted.
I find I have nothing to report in regard to those matters.
Seamus McCarthy
Comptroller and Auditor General
20 December 2012
63
Dundalk Institute of Technology
Consolidated Income and Expenditure Account for Year Ending 31 August 2012
INCOME
Student Grant
Tuition Fees
Amortised Deferred Capital Grants
Research Grants & Contracts
Student Support Funding Income recognised
Other Income
Interest Income
NOTE
1
2
17
4
5
6
2012
€000s
2011
€000s
17,989
16,891
4,609
4,903
329
4,000
524
19,052
17,462
4,462
5,788
158
3,680
167
49,245
50,769
25,163
2,095
3,426
5,002
274
1,414
5,260
329
609
4,610
25,310
1,726
3,107
4, 363
320
1,764
5,944
158
506
4,463
EXPENDITURE
Academic Departments
Academic Services
Facilities Costs
Central Administration & Services
General Educational Expenses
Student Registration Charge
Research Grants & Contracts
Student Support Funding Income
Subsidiary Undertakings
Depreciation
7
8
9
10
11
3
4
5
21
14
OPERATING SURPLUS / (DEFICIT)
Transfer to Capital Development Reserve
Transfer to Deferred Capital Account: AIB Franchise Income
State Recurrent Write –Off
ACCUMULATED (DEFICIT) AT 1 SEPTEMBER
20
17
15
48,128
47,934
1,063
2,835
(400)
-
(1,998)
(400)
-
663
169
437
(268)
832
169
ACCUMULATED SURPLUSS (DEFICIT) AT 31 AUGUST
The Institute had no gains or losses in the financial year or the preceding financial year other thank those dealt with in the Income and
Expenditure Account. The results of the year relate to continuing operations.
The Statements of Accounting policies, Cash Flow Statements and Notes 1 to 26, form part of the financial statements
Signed on behalf of the Governing Body:
Denis Cummins
Andrew Griffith
64
Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 31- August-2012
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible Assets
NOTE
14
2012
€000’s
2011
€000’s
103,802
105,502
103,802
105,502
CURRENT ASSETS
Stock
Debtors and Prepayments
Cash at Bank and In Hand
15
17
2,272
10,329
21
2,903
10,998
12,618
13,922
(8,976)
(9,752)
3,642
4,170
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Creditors and Accrued Expenses – Amounts due within one year
16
NET CURRENT ASSESTS
NET ASSETS
107,444
109,672
103,802
832
2,810
105,503
169
4,000
107,444
109,672
Represented by:
Deferred Capital Grants
Developed Account
Income & Expenditure Account
Capital Development Reserve
17
20
The Statement of Accounting Policies, Cash Flow Statements and Notes 1-19 form part of the financial statements
Signed on behalf of the Governing Body:
Andrew Griffith
Denis Cummins
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