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