Innovation Creativity Nurturing Start Ups

Academic AffairsSunday Times Hail‘Most Improved InstituteWe received the accolade of Ireland’s ‘Most Improved Institute’ withan impressive ten-place jump in the influential Sunday Times UniversityLeague Tables. This meant IT Sligo shifted in one year from 21st to11th place overall in the annual survey of Ireland’s best universities.The performance recognisesand endorses our recentperformance across allcategories particularly over thelast two years.Praising the contribution of allstaff and students to the success,Institute President Terri Scottsaid: “This is much deservedrecognition of the dedication andhard work of all IT Sligo staff andstudents. It is also a tremendousvote of confidence for the NorthWest region and all our partnersand supporters here. Oursuccess is their success.”The Sunday Times League Tablecommended our work across ourentire portfolio. Noted highlightsincluded our status as Ireland’sleading provider of online anddistance learning particularly inengineering. The Sunday Timessingled out our research anddevelopment as “a catalyst forattracting smart economy jobs tothe region”.The league table also highlightedstudent satisfaction, goodretention and employmentopportunities for graduates andpointed to our School of Sciencewhich has increased studentintake by 30% in the pasteight years.HETAC Institutional ReviewIT Sligo was the first highereducation institution to undergoan Institutional Review under thenew Policy on Institutional Reviewof Providers of Higher Educationand Training by the HigherEducation and Training AwardsCouncil (HETAC) in 2008/2009.Packie Bonner and MícheálÓ Muircheartaigh attended theClubs and Societies Awards in 2010.8IT Sligo Annual Report 2008-2009 & 2009-2010The key finding of an expertpanel Chaired by ProfessorTom Collins, Head of EducationDepartment, NUI Maynooth,was that the quality assurancearrangements operated byIT Sligo were found to be inaccordance with the EuropeanStandards and Guidelines forQuality Assurance 2007, Helsinki,and the HETAC Guidelines andCriteria for Quality AssuranceProcedures in Higher Education.The panel complimenteda number of the Institute’sattributes, including ourengagement with industry in theregion; our clear commitment to aculture of continuous improvementamongst staff; the quality of theoverall student experience; thepositive approach to innovationin teaching and learning; andthe increased opportunities thatwe have provided for access,transfer and progression.More StudentsChoosing SligoFull-time and part-time student numbersOur student intakes increasedin 2009 and 2010, which webelieve reflects our ability toprovide interesting and relevantcourses for today’s students.We currently have 3,923full-time and 2,095 part-timestudents registered.Registered studentsFull t3,9232,0956,018AllPart-timeDistanceEducationE LearningIn -20103,7758641,45383148086,092New ProgrammesWe currently offer 66 full-timeprogrammes and 39 part-timeprogrammes.New programmes we introducedincluded a part-time Bachelorof Engineering in PolymerProcessing at level 7 jointlyoffered with Athlone IT. This isthe first collaboration agreementof itsCentrekind inwasthe relaunchedInstitute of inTheTechnology sector.October 2009 with a keynoteaddress by leading entrepreneurIn the School of Sciencementor Larry Farrell.we had the first intake forProgrammes in level 7The Harvard Business SchoolPharmaceutical Science andtrainedof the FarrellApplied CEOArchaeologyand level 8Company,whorepresentThemanyMedical Biotechnology.levelbluechipclientsincluding,6/7 Environmental ManagementIBM,AMEX andCoca Cola.Heprogrammedeliveredbyenthralledattendeeswith severalDistance 30 participants,15 of whombyofferinginvaluableadviceenteredunderthe LabourForceActivation initiative.throughoutthe proceedings.Our new Bachelor of Sciencein Computing in GamesDevelopment attracted 35students, with the total numberof first year computing studentsrising to 110. In the Departmentof Marketing, Tourism and Leisurethe replacement courses for theHigher Certificate in Marketingenrolled 113 students. A newBachelor of Arts in Accountingat level 8 was validated as wereeight Special Purpose Awards inGeneric Research Skills at level 9.Mr Farrell reminded theassembled mix of businesspeople, graduates and studentsof the real value of buddingentrepreneurs, especially duringrecessionary times:from his father he emphasisedthat it can take very little to starta company as long as the personhas belief and commitment inthemselves and their productor service.“It’s during a recession, assome fine people are laid off,that more entrepreneursemerge to ‘give it a go ontheir own’”, he said. Recallingthat Bill Gates foundedMicrosoft with 700 borrowedSince its relaunch theInnovation Centre has beenoperating at maximumcapacity and generatedadditional high valueentrepreneurial activity.IT Sligo Annual Report 2008 - 2009 & 2009 - 20109

Academic AffairsAmazED at Success in Microsoft Imagine CupProgramme AchievementsThe BBS in Recreation andLeisure was the first programmeof its type to achieve Accreditationby the European Health andFitness Society. The BA Hons inInterior Architecture was awardedCandidate Status by the RoyalInstitute of British Architects(RIBA). It is the second coursein Ireland to achieve this statuswith RIBA and it is also the onlycourse in Ireland to have achievedrecognition by the EuropeanCouncil of Interior Architects.Course Demanded in CustodyOur new Higher Certificate inArts in Custodial Care (HCCC) isan excellent example of the sortof innovative programmes beingdeveloped here at IT Sligo.Approximately 700 people havetaken part in the course to date,and more than 300 have alreadygraduated. The course is theonly one of its kind in Ireland.It is specifically tailored to theneeds of the Prison Serviceand is delivered across a rangeof centres including the IrishPrison Service Training andDevelopment Centre (IPSTDC) inPortlaoise, and at various prisonsin the Dublin area. It is deliveredto new recruit prison officers ofthe Irish Prison Service.The first conferring took placein March 2009 when 40 prisonofficers graduated in a conferringceremony presided over by theMinister of Justice at the IPSTDCin Portlaoise.Two of our student teamsachieved top three positionsin the Irish National MicrosoftImagine Cup in June 2009.The Imagine Cup is the world’spremier student technologycompetition hosted by Microsoft.Our AmazED team was placedsecond in a field of over 500teams, whilst our MediKnightteam achieved third place.The AmazED project addressedthe learning needs of youngchildren, enabling them to teachthemselves maths with the aid ofa Microsoft Xbox game and NXTLego Mindstorm. The AmazEDteam was also selected for theMicrosoft Innovation Acceleratorprogramme due to the significantcommercial potential of its project.Team MediKnight, developed asystem that allows experiencedmedical professionals in thedeveloped world to link directlyto medical staff working in underdeveloped regions. Plans are inplace to have this project up andrunning in a medical centre inLusaka, Zambia.The strong commitment andhard work of staff have playeda key role in the developmentand delivery of the HCCC. Keystaff included our ProgrammeManager, Fergus Timmons;Programme chairs Mary Clarkeand Kevin Sludds; Finola CoganCarey, Dr Marcus Hopkins, PaulaKenny, Dr Liam Leonard, SineadMeade, Maresa McGee, KarenPatton, Dr Gwen Scarbrough, andJim McName; AdministratorsMary Kilfeather and Paul Walsh;and Head of Department,Dr Perry Share.IT Sligo MediKnight Team: Amir Agabbi, John Paul Sheridan, Robert Carroll, Maire Gillwith mentors Dr John Hessian, Tom McCormack, Dr Paul Flynn and Padraig Harte.The Centre was relaunched inOctober 2009 with a keynoteaddress by leading entrepreneurmentor Larry Farrell.1,200 at Open DaysPictured at the first Conferring of the HCCC in Beladd House, Portlaoise in 2010, are from l to r;Dr Perry Share Head of Department of Humanities; Brian Purcell, Director, Irish Prison Services; Dermot Ahern TD, Minister forJustice, Equality and Law Reform; John McGuckin, Deputy Governor, Irish Prison Services; and Dr Brendan McCormack, Registrar.10IT Sligo Annual Report 2008-2009 & 2009-2010The Harvard Business Schooltrained CEO of the FarrellCompany, who represent manyblue chip clients including,IBM, AMEX and Coca Cola. Heenthralled attendees with several‘one-on-one’ discussions andby offering invaluable advicethroughout the proceedings.Mr Farrell reminded theassembled mix of businesspeople, graduates and studentsof the real value of buddingTheAnnual yearattractsmorerecessionary times:than 1,200 students from 35secondary“It’s duringschools/FETACa recession, ascollegesalongwithoversome fine peoplearelaid50off,careerteachers.that more entrepreneursfrom his father he emphasisedthat it can take very little to starta company as long as the personhas belief and commitment inFifty currentandIT Sligothemselvestheir studentsproductactastourguidesand studentor service.ambassadors. There were26 differenttalks theon variousSinceits relaunchprogrammesand bits.operating at maximumemerge to ‘give it a go ontheir own’”, he said. Recallingthat Bill Gates foundedMicrosoft with 700 borrowedcapacity and generatedadditional high valueentrepreneurial activity.IT Sligo Annual Report 2008 - 2009 & 2009 - 201011

Academic AffairsNew Era, New Challenges, New Programmes at a GlanceNewstalk EnterpriseCompetitionAlso during 2009 we hosted theNewstalk 106-108fm StudentEnterprise Competition. Theprevious year’s winning team wasfrom IT Sligo.Building RelationshipsThe Reva Electric Car won in the Green Planet Awards.Green Planet AwardThe Environmental Society droveoff with the top prize at theinaugural Green Planet Awards.The team leaders collected thekeys of their brand new Revaelectric car worth in excess of 13,000. The car was theiraward for their interactive ‘EcoEating Week’ which took place inMarch 2009.The awards are a nationalthird level initiative aimedat encouraging students toconsider the impact that peoplehave on the environment.First for MechatronicsOur Mechatronics team receivedfirst prize in their section at theNational Skills Finals, reflectingthe quality of training in whathas become the fastest growingdiscipline at IT Sligo. Teammembers Robert Carroll andThomas Burke were chosen torepresent Ireland at the WorldSkills Finals in Canada.12IT Sligo Annual Report 2008-2009 & 2009-2010A Memorandum ofUnderstanding (MoU) has beenexchanged and signed withVillanova University, Philadelphia,regarding participation in deliveryof the MSc in BiopharmaceuticalScience. Villanova haveexpertise in BiopharmaceuticalEngineering that they deliveronline into the Programme.MoUs were also signed with twocolleges in the US as part ofan Enterprise Ireland EducationMission. The agreementswill enable students from ourHumanities Department to studyin the Westfield State Universityand Wheelock College inMassachusetts. Students fromboth of these colleges will alsotravel here to study at IT Sligo.The new CEO of the NationalInstitute for BioprocessingResearch and Training (NIBRT),Dr Maurice Tracey, and theTraining Manager, Dr Ian Nelligan,visited the Institute for afamiliarisation and discussionsession to progress areas ofsynergic co-operation. IT Sligo isa founding consortium memberof NIBRT with UCD, TCD andDCU. Currently the School ofScience is rolling out the deliveryof an MSc in BiopharmaceuticalScience in conjunction withNIBRT who co-designed thecourse with the School.We also enjoy collaborations withthe Royal College of Surgeons,Athlone Institute of Technology,and the Research Alliance,amongst others.Community EngagementIn responding to the economicdown-turn, staff have beenengaging with local agenciesincluding FÁS and theDepartment of Social and FamilyAffairs to ensure that thoseseeking to return to education orup-skilling can obtain advice andaccess relevant programmes.For example a ten-week level 5programme has been developedto meet the learning needsof apprentices who cannotfind ongoing employment. AnAccelerated Higher Certificate inComputing has also commenceddelivery. At a national levelwe are also engaged with theEGFSN and the DETE to providethe most suitable response.Graduating to NewEmployment ChallengesOur objective is to ensure ourgraduates are equipped for themodern workplace. This is achallenge given the prevailingeconomic situation but it is onewe are determined to meet.Our graduates, who havestudied full-time, part-time andthrough online and distancelearning options, are drawn fromthroughout the island of Irelandwith others coming from Europeand further afield.In 2008, 1,929 students wereconferred, in 2009 1,778 wereconferred, and 2010 saw theconferring of 2,263 students.Professor Terri Scott, explainedour determination:“Today 60% participate in 3rdlevel education. We have worldclass industries operating hereand technology leaders at theforefront of scientific discovery.As the wreckage of theunsustainable boom is washedaway, it is graduates who willhelp us create safer andmore sustainable sources ofeconomic growth, and renewour prosperity.”Great Talent Displayedat Annual ExhibitionsThe annual exhibitionsof Interior ArchitectureDesign, Industrial Designand Fine Arts studentstake place each June.The exhibitions are wellattended and the standardof work displayed is alwaysexceptionally high.Engineering Online Learning from Strength to StrengthOver the last two years we haveconsolidated our position asIreland’s leading institution foronline engineering programmes.Fee income in 2009 fromTheCentrewas relaunchedonlineprogrammeswas overinOctober2009witha 1.8 million, flagging keynotethisaddressby leadingentrepreneurareaclearlyas a focusformentorLarryFarrell.continuing development.TheHarvardBusinessleaderSchoolWe area recognisedintrainedCEO of theofFarrellthedevelopmentonline liveCompany, who videorepresentmany(synchronous)lectures.Thisthat studentsblue meanschip clientsincluding,oftheat ITHeIBM,onlineAMEXprogrammesand Coca Cola.Sligohave attendeesthe option withof en and where‘one-on-one’andtheywant usingtheir iPod,iPad,by offeringinvaluableadvicemobilephoneany MP3 playerthroughouttheorproceedings.with video display.IT Sligo delivers onlineprogrammes to 8 out of the top10 multinational employers in theMr Farrell remindedthe nd pharmaceutical sectors. Inpeople,graduates trainingand studentsavery competitiveandoftherealvalueofbuddingeducation market, this is furtherentrepreneurs,duringevidenceof the especiallycalibre of ITrecessionarytimes:Sligo’s online courses.“It’sduringa rtlistedsome finepeopleare laidforoff,the2010Taoiseach’sPublic Servicethat moreentrepreneursExcellenceAwards.emerge to ‘giveit a Therego on wereoverapplicationsfromtheir 200own’”,he said. Recallingacrossthepublicsectorthat Bill Gates founded and ITSligomadewiththe 700last 50.Microsoftborrowedfrom his father he emphasisedthat it can take very little to starta company as long as the personhas belief and commitment inthemselves and their productor service.Since its relaunch theInnovation Centre has beenoperating at maximumcapacity and generatedadditional high valueentrepreneurial activity.IT Sligo Annual Report 2008 - 2009 & 2009 - 201013

Sectition Title HereDesign Students WinCardboard chairs and digitalassistants – these exciting newdesigns, formulated by creativedesign students at IT Sligoand team members, receivedthree national awards. Thestudents took three out of thetop four places in the Instituteof Designers in Ireland DesignWeek Student Competition.The winner of the Design WeekStudent Design Competition wasRobert J Boormann from IT Sligo.Entrants were asked to design achair made from two sheets ofcorrugated cardboard.The judges were extremelyimpressed with the overallquality of the entries, asBoormann’s elegant but edgy‘IKE & MIKE’ chair that toppedboth judges’ lists. The runnersup included Marta Slawinska ofIT Sligo for her faceted ‘Edgy’chair and Vincent Naughton of ITSligo for his simple but elegant‘Simplex’ chair.Our Students Vorsprung Durch Technik‘A very high standard’ was howStephan Sielaff, Head of Designin AUDI, Germany describedresearch presentations from ITSligo Design students.The Creative Design studentstravelled to AUDI Germany, wherethey presented their researchfinding on personal mobilityconcepts. The project wasabout researching the futureof mobility. Our students werebriefed to look at the impact ofthe many challenges facing theautomotive industry and issues14IT Sligo Annual Report 2008-2009 & 2009-2010related to the future of personaltransportation.The Centre was relaunched inOctober 2009 with a keynoteaddress by leading entrepreneurmentor Larry Farrell.The students’ concepts werereviewed by IT Sligo graduate,David Caffrey, who visited thecollege four times during theperiod of the project.David has worked through thevarious levels in AUDI designsince his graduation in 1985, tobecome one of their senior carTheannual Heexhibitionsdesigners.was chiefofdesignerInteriorArchitecturefor the exterior designDesign,of theIndustrialAUDI Q. Design and FineArts students take place eachMarch 2010 saw the first graduation show –Blood Wedding – by our BA Hons. PerformingJune.The exhibitionsare wellArts students.The group performedBloodWedding directedDeclanDrohan, Lecturerattendedandbythestandardin Performing Arts. The show took place overofworkis alwaysthreenightsdisplayedin the Factory.exceptionally high.The Harvard Business Schooltrained CEO of the FarrellCompany, who represent manyblue chip clients including,IBM, AMEX and Coca Cola. Heenthralled attendees with several‘one-on-one’ discussions andby offering invaluable advicethroughout the proceedings.Mr Farrell reminded theassembled mix of businesspeople, graduates and studentsof the real value of buddingentrepreneurs, especially duringrecessionary times:from his father he emphasisedthat it can take very little to starta company as long as the personhas belief and commitment inthemselves and their productor service.“It’s during a recession, assome fine people are laid off,that more entrepreneursemerge to ‘give it a go ontheir own’”, he said. Recallingthat Bill Gates foundedMicrosoft with 700 borrowedSince its relaunch theInnovation Centre has beenoperating at maximumcapacity and generatedadditional high valueentrepreneurial activity.Building Research CapabilityIT Sligo Annual Report 2008ITSligo- 2009 &Annual2009Report- 201015

Building Research CapabilityUnder the Higher EducationAuthority Research FacilitiesEnhancement Scheme wereceived 140,000. This awardwas used to develop a Schoolof Business and HumanitiesResearch Office offeringdesignated research space forpostgraduate students. It alsofunded a Rapid PrototypingLaboratory associated with theCentre for Design Innovation andthe School of Engineering.New cures for cancer,environmental protection,public health research,sea anchor technology andnew prototyping facilities From the Enterprise IrelandResearch Equipment fund wereceived a further 318,000 thatfunded the purchase of state-ofthe-art equipment for the rapidprototyping laboratory.These were among just some of the leading edgeresearch programmes at IT Sligo for which we receivedresearch funding. In total from 2008 to 2010 weattracted over 5 million in external

2 IT Sligo Annual Report 2008-2009 & 2009-2010 IT Sligo Annual Report 2008-2009 & 2009-2010 3 The Centre was relaunched in October 2009 with a keynote address by leading entrepreneur mentor Larry Farrell. The Harvard Business School trained CEO of the Farrell Company, who represent many blue chip clients including, IBM, AMEX and Coca Cola. He