Job creation key in strategic partnership
The creation of jobs in the health sciences and software areas will be one of the priorities in the strategic partnership between AIT and three other colleges.
That’s according to the President of AIT Professor Ciaran Ó Cathain. A memorandum of understanding was signed by the Presidents of the four colleges involved in the cluster yesterday – AIT, Dublin City University, Maynooth University and Dundalk Institute of Technology.
Professor Ó Cathain said the four institutes are working closely together on a range of issues including developing Phds, more variety for students and staff upskilling as each of the members of the cluster will learn from each other.
“One of the areas is developing Phds between the institutes and to ensure the students get a good or better variety,” he said.
Three specific areas in AIT focus on research, he said: Materials, Software and Biotechnology. “Research will be developed in other new areas around health and health science and Business and Humanities,” he said.
He said it is important that there won’t be duplication on the courses offered by the four colleges. “This has been one of the most dynamic clusters. It is working exceptionally well. It is exemplary. Signing the memorandum is consolidating what has been happening over the past two years and setting out a plan for the next two years,” he said.
The creation of jobs in the Midlands will also be a focus in the partnership, particularly in areas where opportunities are opening up. “We are targeting jobs in the health sciences and software areas. That’s where the jobs are,” he said.
A number of routes will be created within the cluster in that students can do a course in one college and follow on in another, said Professor Ó Cathain and joint programmes are being considered.
He added: “Each of our organisations have clearly demonstrated a leadership role in our local environments. Maynooth University and Athlone Institute of Technology already have a shared history of successful collaboration on bi-lateral projects, as have DCU and DkIT. This next step, in formalising collaborative efforts between all 4 parties, will strengthen the educational offering to students across the Midlands-East and Dublin North region.”
Creation of the cluster is in line with the HEA “Towards a Future” report which sets out a vision for the higher education landscape in Ireland. The organisations will work in collaboration and will also continue to function independently but will collaborate on activities that are mutually beneficial to help them achieve national educational objectives.