TALLAGHT GRADUATES Newsletter for graduates and friends of ITT Dublin - Winter 2007
News & Profiles The Harambee The Seanad Features from Scholarship Fund The scandal of the graduates, the How an ITT Dublin election process Institute and staff initiative assists poverty and why ITT Dublin stricken students in Africa graduates can’t vote!
Contents
Foreword from President 4
Features The Harambee Scholarship Fund. 18 The Seanad - The scandal of the election process 26 Snakes and Reptiles - ITT Dublin staff members and their pets 36 Rant Corner! 38
News From the Graduates Association Second Graduates Association Ball 6 Re-Unions & Events 8 New Graduates Association website 9 Bank of Ireland Item of the Month Competition launched 10
Institute News 6 Lifelong Learning at ITT Dublin 11 ITT Dublin attains Delegated Authority 12 Humanities and cooking successes 13 Annual Feel Good Day 2007 14 Recently published books 15 Liaising with the students of the future 16
Graduate Profiles Kieran Bates - Graduate and pub-owner in Austria 20 Report from international conference in Slovakia 23 Picture Perfect. Pearl Phelan - Graduate and photographer 24 18 Research and Innovation Research and Innovation at ITT Dublin 28 New ‘Synergy’ Business Incubation Centre open at ITT Dublin 32
News from the Clubs and Societies News on all ITT Clubs and Societies activities 34
Campus Development Details on the new campus development plans 40
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Acknowledgements: Editorial: Gareth Ebbs / Marie Kielty / John Vickery Cover Photos: Vincent Lennon and Brian MacCormaic Design by: Matt, Horizon Graphics / Tel: (353 1) 868 1257 [email protected] Printed by: Business 2 Print / Tel: (353 1) 867 0143 www.business2print.ie Contact the Graduates Association: ITT Dublin Graduates Association, ITT Dublin, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland
Tel: (353 1) 404 2107 34 Email: [email protected] Web: graduates.ittdublin.ie Newsletter 2007
A message from the President
Dear Graduates,
Believe it or not it is now fifteen years since the first of you At the beginning of 2007 we received a very substantial entered the Institute as young students. It has been an company donation to enable us to establish a network exciting time. The Institute has expanded from an initial of supports for the schools in our region. We have also cohort of seven hundred students to a current complement, received major funding from the Strategic Innovation Fund full and part-time, of almost four thousand students. We have to develop the whole teaching environment. Through these witnessed from the start the development of the worldwide projects we are playing a lead role in raising participation web and of mobile technologies. We have seen the Celtic rates in Higher Education in the region. tiger grow and mature. We have seen the human genome project almost completed and the Berlin Wall come down. We have continued to work with the Department of Education To quote the phrase ‘We live in interesting times’. and Science on the Campus Development Programme and we are still on target to have this completed in 2011. The last twelve months have seen quite a few developments. We will have completed our first five year Strategic Plan at We opened the new business incubation centre, Synergy. the end of 2008. During the next twelve months we will be Any of you who feel that you are budding entrepreneurs contacting many of you for your ideas and suggestions for should contact the Centre Manager Nicola Mountford. She the 2009 to 2013 plan. has a range of supports in place for small businesses. The Institute is the lead partner in a research project funded by Finally let me wish each of you a very happy and successful the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions. This is a 2008. €10million project which will enable us to establish a Centre of Excellence in Health Science with a view to enabling us Dr. Tim Creedon to translate the very excellent research work taking place in President, ITT Dublin the Institute into the clinical environment.
4 Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 Newsletter 2007
Message from Chairman, Welcome to the second Graduates Association It gives me great pleasure to introduce the second Newsletter. As before we have tried to produce an Graduates Association Newsletter for ITT Dublin. The interesting publication with varied content that should first edition was very well received and as the As- make sure there is a little something for everyone to sociation grows the benefits of membership will be- enjoy. come more evident. It’s hard to believe it’s more than two years since our Don’t forget in addition to the personal benefits official launch by An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern in October and the ability to contact some old college friends, 2005 and a lot as happened since then. One of the most membership can also benefit your career. Many fundamental developments and a great success, has graduates that I talk to tend to fall into three cat- been the implementation of the exclusive Association egories: working in their area of study and enjoying website. We now have over one thousand registered it, working in their area of study and not enjoying it online members which is a terrific achievement in this and graduates who are no longer working in the short space of time. This provides a great interface for area that they studied. By maintaining contact with graduates for each-other and with the Institute with the college we can: keep you informed on career regular bulletins about college news and events, online opportunities in your area, highlight potential ca- competitions, surveys and more. reer paths for you having guided graduates with similar circumstances and highlight opportunities Among many others, included in this issue is an interesting for further study to enhance your career options feature on the Harambee Scholarship Fund, an ITT Dublin initiative which is assisting poverty-stricken students in It costs nothing but a little time to register for the Nairobi, Kenya to continue their education to 3rd level. A Association and with the excellent careers service fine example of how ITT Dublin assists people in areas well in the college - it is time well spent. Obtaining your beyond day to day undergraduate education qualification was only the first step in what we hope is a long and successful career, let ITT Dublin work Thank you all for your support and anyone who has with you throughout your career not just at the be- contributed to this production or attended any of our ginning. events in recent times. We hope you enjoy the newsletter and look forward to meeting you soon at our next event. Dr. Mark Glynn Chairperson Gareth Ebbs Graduates Association Officer
Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 5 Graduate Association News
2nd Graduates Association Ball held at the Tower Hotel, Tallaght on 9th November 2007
After our launch in Jurys Hotel in 2005, Graduates Association Officer, Gareth for the residents bar but everyone had this night on the 9th November 2007 Ebbs and President of ITT Dublin, Dr Tim one thing in common and that was had a lot to live up to and people Creedon. a thoroughly entertaining evening in were not disappointed. Greeted by a good company. Sincere thanks to our beautifully decorated reception area Dinner was served and tongues main sponsor Accenture Technology on the Mezzanine level of the hotel, loosened as many enjoyed an Solutions and to the Tower Hotel and guests emerged from the lifts to be excellent meal served by a courteous their staff for facilitating a cracking treated to a champagne reception and helpful Tower Hotel staff. As dessert night and a memorable occasion. and the warmly received barbershop was being finished, Chairman of the quartet which added a fun, original Association, Dr Mark Glynn, spoke and feel to the beginning of the night. announced the winners of the draw which included a weekend for two in a Tower Hotel, two Nivea hampers and a Nintendo DS system sponsored by Accenture Technology Solutions.
It was then the band Revenge took to the stage and the night really came to life. With fantastic musicianship and boundless energy, (the lead singer quite often spent more time in the audience than on stage during some songs), they had the dance-floor full within After the ice was broken, guests were two songs and it remained that way ushered in to the main Ballroom which until after midnight when they wound was stunningly presented with balloons, up an enthralling set of hits new and multi-media presentations and various old. It was fantastic to see graduates treats on the tables to keep those and staff so entertained and great to with a sweet tooth happy. Many see some of the more senior members thanks to our main sponsor Accenture still have the moves - long may it last! Technology Solutions for their generous With the departure of the band, a DJ contribution towards the night which brought the occasion to a close with put the icing on the cake in many great tunes into the wee hours. Some respects. Speeches followed from The headed for taxis, while many headed
6 Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 Graduate Association News
Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 7 Graduate Association News
was outstanding and his collegiality priceless. Enjoyed by Catching Up... with Association members and staff from the Accountancy Department, the celebrations continued to the early hours Re-unions held in 2006/2007 with dinner, drinks and music. From all of the staff and graduates at ITT Dublin we would like to wish Seamus the best of luck in his retirement and thank him sincerely for his great contribution to the Institute.
Science
On Thursday 22nd of March 2007 a small Science re-union was held at the Bleeding Horse bar in Dublin. A €100 dinner voucher for the Elephant and Castle restaurant was also Accountancy presented to a lucky draw winner on the night. Thanks The first ever Association event was held on Thursday 27th sincerely to all who turned out! April 2006 at the Davenport Hotel. It was an Accountancy Graduates re-union night and a wonderful time was had Given the young age of the association and the by over 80 people well into the wee hours. Thanks to Martin comparatively small but ever-growing number of members Nolan, Tom Stone, Patricia Morris and Marie Noonan at at the moment, it’s difficult to run faculty-specific events due the Department of Accountancy and Professional Studies for to numbers however rest assured we are very interested in organising the event and to all those who attended. organizing events for any group no matter how small so if you are interested in organizing a re-union and want the Wednesday the 13th of September 2006 also marked the assistance of the Graduates Association Office in organising retirement of Senior Accountancy Lecturer Seamus McCabe and running the event contact the Office at (01) 404 2107 or with a lively send off on Thursday the 14th at The Plaza Hotel, email [email protected]. Tallaght. Seamus was here in ITT Dublin since the doors opened in 1992 and during that time Seamus’ contribution Grubs up! 2 for 1 Special 2 main courses for the price of one for Association members at San Giovannis Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria in Tallaght! Bring your membership card. Certain restrictions may apply (don’t bring the football team!)
Ristorante San Giovanni - Tel: (01) 4630960
8 Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 Graduate Association News
We’re online - do tell a friend! The new exclusive ITT Dublin Graduates Association website and members community is launched in October 2006
In October 2006 we launched our longer-established Institutes would brand new exclusive Association be very proud of so thanks sincerely website at http://graduates.ittdublin. to those who continue to support the ie”. This was the culmination of many Association. months of planning and discussions and we were delighted that the Features on the site also include latest Institute recognised and continues news, careers service, jobs listings, to recognise the requirement discounts, item of the month winners for a comprehensive interactive and much more. the email address(s) you wish to tell, communication platform to help click the button and we do the rest! achieve everything we wish to do We rely on people like you to tell as now and in the coming years. Since many people as you can about the So go on, don’t wait - get out there then over one thousand ITT Dublin Association and one of the easiest and tell a friend! people have signed up online and ways to do this is the ‘tell a friend’ this grows on a daily basis. This is an facility which you can access in your visit: http://graduates.ittdublin.ie outstanding uptake which many profile – all you have to do is input
Fantastic Career Opportunities
Located in Baldoyle, Dublin in close proximity to Dublin Airport and only a five-minute walk from Howth Junction DART Station. The company has been in operation since 1986 and currently manufactures 2 billion tablets / capsules per year with significant New Product Introductions fuelling further growth. We are seeking to recruit high calibre graduates who are looking for genuine opportunities to develop their careers.
• Quality Control Analysts • Senior Quality Control Analysts (HPLC/GC experience) • Weekend Work ~ Senior QC Analysts (HPLC/GC experience) • Laboratory IT Analyst – Chemistry background with experience in laboratory IT systems. • Research & Development Analysts • Compliance / QA Officers • Maintenance Technicians (Shift Work) • Process Engineer - Graduate with 1 year’s previous pharmaceutical manufacturing/process development experience essential.
Excellent terms and conditions are on offer to successful candidates!
To apply, please forward a detailed CV, in strict confidence to: Human Resources Department, Gerard Laboratories, 80 Baldoyle Industrial Estate, Grange Road, Dublin 13. Tel: +353-1-8398600 Email: [email protected]
Gerard Laboratories is an equal opportunities employer
Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 9 Graduate Association News
Bank of Ireland ‘Item of the Month’ competition for members launched in April 2007
The first competition featured a roll-over month and our first ever winner of a €100 voucher was Jason MacCormac (grad 2006) who sent in the photograph (left) that he took of Dun Laoghaire at sunset. You can also see some of the other entries received over the last few months. Best of luck to all future entrants and thanks again to Bank of Ireland, Tallaght for their great support of the Association since its inauguration in 2005.
Be sure to get your entries in every month, it could be the easiest €50 you ever win. Email: gradassocation@ittdublin. ie with your item and it’s as simple as that! You can enter as many times as you want every month.
For more information visit the Item
In April 2007 we announced the Bank of Ireland ‘Item of of the Month webpage at: the Month’ Competition which was held for the first time in http://graduates.ittdublin.ie/ May. Item of the Month is a competition run each month ?boiitemofthemonth for registered members and was made possible due to the generous sponsorship of Bank of Ireland, Tallaght who provide a €50 An Post ‘oneforall’ voucher every month to the winner. Items accepted are many and varied but have so far typically included photographs and news items.
Photographs from left to right: Mountain in Whisler, Canada - Paddy Butler Cavtat Croatia - Philip Matson Swans at The Claddagh in Galway - Úna Prendergast Tornado in Florida - Mark Beatty Skydive over Heuston - Glyn Evans
10 Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 Institute News
Lifelong Learning at ITT Dublin and the challenges ahead
and evening during the week. A number of courses are also delivered ‘in-company’ to remove the need to commute to the college. The response from students has been very positive so we are now looking at other ways we can provide this kind of flexibility to all students.
Students at the Institute now reflect our multicultural society. The Department of Lifelong Learning has put particular initiatives in place to ensure that students who, for example, may not have English as their first language can access a drop-in support centre help them to successfully complete their course.
To be successful in the workplace of today individuals need a range of competencies that combine business and technical expertise with excellent inter and intra personal skills. There is also a need for individuals to update their skills regularly to keep abreast of change. The new National Framework of Qualifications has given ITT Dublin the flexibility to build programmes tailored With increased emphasis being put on buzzwords like ‘lifelong to the specific needs of individual workplaces. The Department learning’ and ‘knowledge economies’ in high social circles and of Lifelong Learning is looking at ways to use the opportunities a key feature in the strategic goals of third-level organisations, provided by the innovative award structures to accredit varied attracting students for further study (or indeed their first step in sizes of learning-blocks and to rapidly meet the needs of the to the 3rd level world) has never been more important. Highly workforce. qualified graduates are viewed as a vital ingredient in what brought the economy to the Over 1600 students dizzy heights of recent years registered with the and what can help sustain it Department of Lifelong in what are arguably seen as Learning last year. challenging times ahead. Here Many of these students, newly appointed ITT Dublin like you, had originally Head of Lifelong Learning, Dr. graduated from ITT Terry Maguire, explains the Dublin and had returned to continue their lifelong learning challenge. journey. If you are thinking about committing further to your own lifelong learning please give us a call, you can be assured “A year ago ITT Dublin appointed me as Head of the of our full help and support”. department of Lifelong Learning, a new department setup to develop the Institute’s existing part-time provision. Since then For any queries on courses and to request a part-time we have established a dedicated part-time student information prospectus contact the part-office at (01) 404 2101 or email desk and have begun to provide more flexibility to promote [email protected] lifelong learning for all. For further information you can also visit: www.ittdublin.ie/ Due to the hectic pace of life these days’, juggling work, family PartTimeCourses. and a part-time study commitment can be really challenging. The Institute has been looking at ways that we can make our Dr. Terry Maguire, Head of Lifelong Learning, ITT Dublin. courses more flexible to help students pursue lifelong learning. Ph: (01) 404 2771 • Email: [email protected] One pilot initiative gives students the opportunity to choose their own time table as lectures are repeated at different times, day
Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 11 Institute News
Stepping into the Driving Seat ITT Dublin attains Delegated Authority and pushes for Delegated Authority in Research programme development, subject to regular review (every 5 years). This is in line with best international practice and shows that the Institute is mature enough to take ownership of the validating and awarding process for its educational & training programmes.
This was a tremendous vote of confidence, a source of great pride and it was due recognition for the dedicated work put in by everybody since the Institute opened. The panel were very complimentary of the standards and dedication of all those they met during the audit. The Institute are now continuing to seek delegated authority for research and you can read more about this in the Research Section. In June 2006 The Higher Education Authority and Training Awards Council (HETAC) granted delegation of authority to the Institute to make awards for all of the HETAC taught programmes from Higher Certificate up to taught Masters Level. HETAC has now adopted as one of its functions the ability to delegate authority to recognised institutions to manage and make awards from their own programmes.
In this way HETAC recognises that where Institutes have developed their capacity and processes to ensure quality is consistently achieved in their programmes, they can now take appropriate responsibility for those processes relating to
Finnstown are pleased to offer members a special discount rate of €100.00 for a double room inclusive of full Irish breakfast. That’s a rate of only €50.00 per person sharing, per night inclusive of full Irish breakfast. Finnstown House has had the privilege of being awarded both AA and RAC merit awards and are the highest rated County Dublin Hotel in its category. Facilities also include its own fully equipped gymnasium, a Turkish bath, massage therapy, putting course, a swimming pool and two tennis courts, as well as several woodland walks where you can become acquainted with the resident donkeys and peacocks!
For more information see: www.finnstown-hotel.ie.
12 Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 Institute News
First ITT Dublin Graduates Name: Association membership
Is a member of ITT Dublin ITT Dublin Graduates and Friends card – enclosed with this Graduates and Friends Association issue! T: +353 1 404 2107 E: [email protected] Tallaght / Dublin 24 / Ireland Enclosed with this newsletter you will find your brand Tamblacht / Baile Átha Cliath 24 / Éire new ITT Dublin Graduates Association members card. This is our very first membership card and on the back is a space where you can sign your name to personalise. We will be announcing further discounts from various companies in the coming months. Some, like golfing and Put it in your wallet! motoring will require this card to be produced as proof of membership. Cooking up a storm Humanities success stories in In February 2007, second year Professional Cookery Student, Alan McArdle, beat off all competition to win 2006/2007 the Knorr Young Chef of the Year 2007 Competition which was held in Cork. Andrew Mc Fadden, past student (2006) and past college finalist in the Gordon Ramsay College Scholar (2006) In November 2006, competed in the Gordon Ramsay Scholar Competition ITT Dublin Professional this year. He was a semi-finalist in the practising chefs Cookery student Sarah competition. Andrew was one of two Irish chefs in the 32 O’Hara went to the 19th chef semi-final (from over 700 applications) and was also Annual Conference of chosen to compete in the final for the title of ‘Bailey’s the AEHT (Association Young Chef of the Year 2007’ Européenne des Ecoles d’Hôtellerie et de Tourisme Sarah O’Hara celebrating her gold medal ITT Dublin Student Linda Kelly competed at the Gordon - European Association Ramsay College Scholar Final live at the BBC Good food of Hotel and Tourism Schools). This was a world event Show. She was one of eight college finalists, the only chef which took place in Killarney and Sarah came away student from Ireland and was with a gold medal in the management competition. a great ambassador for the She was presented with her award by the then Minister Institute. Linda performed very for Tourism, John O’Donoghue and the President of the well under the watchful eye of AEHT, Louis Robert. The event was attended by 650 the now infamous Ramsay, 10 delegates from all over Europe and as far as Mexico. other Michelin-starred chefs In total here were 35 countries represented and 135 and the general public. colleges. This was a fantastic personal achievement for Sarah and due acknowledgement for the excellent work of the Humanities Department.
Sarah O’Hara and Alan McArdle
Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 13 Institute News Feel Good Day
Now in its 7th year the ITT Dublin annual “Feel Good Day” was held in the Institute on Wednesday 2nd May. Presented by the ITT Dublin Awareness Group which consists of Student Services staff and the Students Union, it originally came about due to the desire to do something a little different for students and to alleviate some of the stress commonly experienced by the students as they mark the end of the
academic year and the run-in to exams. Light relief is much appreciated by students at this time!
With particular emphasis on well-being and health, it featured fun-filled activities in and outside the college, as well as many holistic treatments which were available to students free of charge including: Indian head massage, back massage, relaxation techniques, reflexology, Bach remedies, cranio-sacral massage, vortex healing and Chakra’s, polarity balancing, sports therapy/massage, Aura Soma and manicures.
Outside the sun shone and students occupied themselves with activities like mechanical bull riding and inflatable bungee running and jousting. A barbeque was provided for students and staff with music provided by the College DJ Society and many partook and sat outside in the sun chewing the fat well into the evening. Thanks to the Awareness Committee who organized a great day and as this article is being written, one wonders when we might get a glimpse of that sun again? Here’s hoping!
14 Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 Institute News Book Corner Recently published books involving ITT Dublin staff
The Welcome Business - New Tourism Book by ITT Dublin Lecturer Glenn Mehta Launched
The Welcome Business is a text book written by ITT Dublin lecturer and former student Glenn Mehta (pictured 2nd from left), aimed at students studying tourism and hospitality as a subject or as a programme of study at third- Eugene O’Brien (Limerick IT) entitled La France face level colleges on the island of Ireland, and is published à la mondialisation/France and the Struggle Against by Gill & Macmillan. It was launched by Minister of State Globalization (New York: The Edwin Mellen Press). Conor Lenihan at the Institute on Tuesday 15th May 2007. Staying with the Franco-Irish theme, Wednesday 17th The book brings together the key elements that combine October 2007 also saw the launch of Reinventing Ireland to make the unique Irish tourism experience, and discusses Through a French Prism at the Alliance Francaise on them with a strong focus on practical examples. The aim Kildare Street. This was edited by Eamon Maher, Eugene of the book is to aide lectures and classroom discussion O’Brien and Grace Neville and is the first installment in on what is a key indigenous sector contributing to the Irish the Studies in Franco-Irish Relations series, which is a peer- economy. reviewed yearly book series that considers proposals dealing with any relevant links - historical, cultural, literary, The book is now available for purchase in bookshops and sociological, political, linguistic – between the two Gallic online from www.gillmacmillan.ie. For further information cousins, France and Ireland. please contact Glenn Mehta on (01) 404 2807 or Glenn. [email protected].
Adrian Millar, former ITT Dublin lecturer in languages, At the 3rd Franco-Irish Conference in ITT Dublin, over the published an academic book on Northern Ireland titled 10th and 11th of May 2007 Mr. Fintan O’Toole (The Irish ‘Socio-ideological fantasy and the Northern Ireland Times) launched a book co-edited by ITT Dublin Lecturer conflict’ (Manchester University Press, December, 2006). and Director of the National Centre of Franco Irish Studies More details at http://adrianmillar.ie. (NCFIS) Eamon Maher (pictured on far left below) and
Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 15 Institute News Focused on the future
ITT Dublin Primary Schools Programme: This new initiative started in 2007 in an attempt to encourage primary school students in the local area to stay in school and consider the world of opportunity open to them by continuing their education to 2nd and 3rd level. It involves 5th class pupils in eight local Primary Schools. ITT staff visited each of the schools to find out what the children thought their futures held for them. Some have high aspirations, but many do not, so a visit to their local third level college can be a great way of encouraging them to consider higher education. The children spend a school day in the Institute, working with ITT staff in a range of activities: Science, Engineering, Marketing, TV Production, Languages, and many more. So far, the children have enjoyed themselves Nurturing relationships with hugely, and so have their teachers! primary schools and future ITT Dublin students
Since the very start, much emphasis has been placed on forging relationships with primary schools in the locality and indeed throughout Dublin. For ITT Dublin it is never too early to interact with the students of the future and it has never been more relevant in these days of high-competition among 3rd level Institutes and with the importance of sustaining Ireland’s economy in the future. This work could not be done without the valuable contribution of the Schools Liaison Office which began its work in November 2005.
For ITT Dublin it’s never too early to interact with the students of the future
For school students the process of choosing what to study Computer Game Design School at third level can be a daunting one and the schools liaison The Department of Computing launched a Computer Game office provides the information they need to make the Design Summer School for Transition Year and Fifth Year decision easier by informing them about all the courses students which took place from Tuesday June 5th to Friday and activities, academic and social, on offer in ITT Dublin. June 8th in the state of the art Interactive Media Lab in the This is done through school visits, campus tours, career Institute. Students had an opportunity to attend lectures on events/exhibitions and the Institute’s Open Day. Other different aspects of computer game design with practical initiatives that people may not know about are also featured lab activities where students used game development tools below: in a hands-on environment.
16 Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 Institute News
Cuba cycle ITT Dublin graduates to cycle across Cuba in aid of Cancer support
SciFest 2007 SciFest is a one-day festival of science, mainly for the Dublin area, which includes a competition and exhibition of projects from second-level schools of all years. Started in 2005/2006, this year’s SciFest was held on Friday 4th May. The purpose of the exhibition is to give students an opportunity to display their work and win prizes. Participation in the exhibition is a valuable learning experience for the students involved and helps promote an interest in science in the school. It is also anticipated that students would be encouraged to
Some have high aspirations, but many do not, so a visit to their local third level college can be a great way of encouraging them to consider higher education. develop their project for entry to the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (January 2008). SciFest is specifically aimed at students in Tallaght and the surrounding areas but of course students from all of Dublin are welcome. The day also includes formal lectures on exciting areas of science, less formal laboratory demonstrations and hands- on activities, tours of the laboratories, together with advice on careers and the relevant course options in ITT-Dublin. For more information contact Dr. Brian Murray at: brian. [email protected].
www.charitycycle.com
Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 17 Institute News
The Harambee Scholarship Fund An ITT Dublin initiative established in 2006 is assisting students in poverty-stricken Mukuru, Nairobi, Kenya to continue their education to 2nd level.
Brian MacCormaic, currently based in The children have no access to Mukuru as manager of the Mukuru Slums computers or learning materials Community Development Programme, like books or libraries. Lack of basic gives a typical account of what the equipment like desks, books, charts or programme is up against and a stark computers. Cramped conditions at reminder of what we take for granted home, lack of electricity, and general in modern day Ireland. noise and mayhem living in the slum environment. Poor nutrition and healthcare means children cannot concentrate fully on their lessons and frequently miss school due to sickness and disease. Underage pregnancy and marriage, drug and alcohol abuse, poor motivation, and many other factors. introduced free primary education for Girls suffer the additional burdens all, alleviating hardship on thousands of being expected to carry out the of families struggling to pay fees to household chores to assist their mothers; educate their children. However, as this they must face the dangers of rape and much lauded scheme was not extended abuse; and in many cultures, educating to include secondary education as Nairobi, 2007 girls is seen as a wasted investment by well, it created many more problems Hawo is 3rd-born in a family of their parents because they will bring than it solved. The huge influx enrolled eight who live in a tiny single room any ‘added value’ to another family in primary has created a bottle-neck of ‘mabati’ or corrugated iron house, in when they marry. children striving for places in secondary. LungaLunga slum village, Mukuru. They Also, because secondary school Even where children from the slums often go without food, and depend on achieve sufficient points to receive a the primary school or well-wishers for place in secondary though, few families support. Hawo is a good student, but afford the fees, small by our standards has foregone secondary education for but hopelessly out of reach for them. the past two years. Without scholarship, Hawo was to have been married off This is where the HARAMBEE Scholarship for her ‘bride-wealth’ and to ease the Fund comes in. The selection committee burden on the family. for the fund is made up of teachers and social workers from the six main This is the same for thousands of children primary schools in Mukuru. Living in in Mukuru who have little hope except the slums, they are nominated by their early marriage and a life of destitution placements are based on a points head teachers for proven long-term and struggle to keep themselves and system, children from the slums are commitment and deep involvement their children alive. But for those selected expected to compete with children in community development. When the to receive a HARAMBEE scholarship, from more prosperous segments of children are selected, the committee they look forward to a brighter future society to gain a place. Unsurprisingly, maintains a close link with them and with a chance of employment. In the few can ever hope to aspire to their families, monitoring progress slum districts, children fight against many secondary school, let alone continue closely, although sensitively, to ensure obstacles to remain in primary school, into university. that they are performing to their best let alone continue into secondary. ability and receiving the support they Poor morale and commitment of staff In 2003, the government of Kenya need from their parents and families.
18 Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 Institute News
These children are bright, intelligent travelled to Mukuru. Their time there same grounds. The centre takes in and resourceful, and show a warmth included visits to 6 schools in the area boys from the neighbouring slums for and respect often lacking in children as well as many more unforgettable rehabilitation that may be addicted of a similar age in Western society. Yet memories. Chemistry Postgraduate to drugs or absent from school. They because of their circumstances, some also focus on educating them and are destined to grow up into a continuing teaching them crafts. The boys attend cycle of poverty, disease and hunger. many classes and we were able to buy Unquestionably, this scholarship will some of the handpainted cards and provide their best chance of escape handmade jewellery they had made. and true liberation and a future with some hope. We also visited a place called Rescue Dada which is a rescue centre for We in Ireland know the value of abandoned or abused girls. While at education, and how it helped to Rescue Dada they are cared for and improve our economy and our standard taught different classes so they have of living. It’s not too long ago since we student Sarah Maher recounts only a an education when they leave. It’s were classed as a Third World economy, small part of what they achieved and fantastic work they do there. When we and it was primarily through investment experienced on the trip: went there we skipped, danced, sang in education that we were able to pull ourselves out of that situation. Now we We went to the schools and presented can help make a difference to the lives gifts such as laptops, football strips, of those less fortunate than ourselves, footballs, GAA balls, lego, teddys, t-shirts by giving them the one gift that will and pens. On each visit the students put remain with them throughout their lives, on small talent shows like choir singing, - a fully rounded and comprehensive poetry recital, gymnastics or dancing…. education. and they always got us up to dance with them! One of the choirs had won many “It is only through education that we different competitions to become the can truly free the people from their best ranked school choir in the whole poverty. Then, when they have been of Kenya, they were amazing. We also liberated, they can return to the slums did a day trip with about 15 scouts to to liberate others” Nairobi National Park. It was great to see their faces light up when they saw the and did more facepainting with the - Prof George Saitoti, Kenyan Minister animals. We brought packed lunches girls. They were so lovely it was hard to for Education, Science and Technology for everyone and then did facepainting believe the terrible backgrounds they in 2003, during an interview with two with the scouts who painted ours too, it came from” – Sarah Maher AV students from IT Tallaght - Gráinne was a great day! O’Connell and Carol Fitzmaurice. To date, 22 children from the slums of Mukuru have been assisted by the Contact Brian MacCormaic: Harambee fund and selected and [email protected] enrolled in local secondary schools through the programme. This is made ITT Dublin Staff and possible by the generosity of our benefactors at the Institute and students visit Mukuru surrounding areas and they rely on your Slums support to continue this programme. Following the first trip by ITT Dublin staff, If you want to know more or wish to students and graduates in 2004 (the front make a donation contact Sr Elizabeth cover features graduates Keith Norris Gilmartin (chaplain): Elizabeth. and Seadna Long on Mount Kilimanjaro Reminders of their day to day struggles [email protected]. Ph: 01 404 2615, during this trip), in May 2007 a group of are never far away though we also saw Mob: 087 9889096. If you are an ITT 12 ITT Dublin staff members and students encouraging signs of development. Dublin employee and wish to make a who raised considerable sponsorship One of the schools we visited had a monthly donation contact Ann Marie for The Harambee Scholarship Charity rehabilitation centre for boys in the Grant at [email protected].
Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 19 Graduate Profiles “Are you right there folks?” by Kieran Bates, Computing, 1992
The Old Dubliner Irish Pub Gruss Gott!
Kieran Bates with Austrian Beer Pope holding best Beer Pub in Upper Austria 2004 As a computing student in Tallaght RTC (as it was then) in its opening year, I would like to fill you in with where I am now. Events with the Brewery Society and Students Union made Well, regarding my studies, unfortunately I never actually me realise that perhaps a future in Cobol programming just received my certificate as a result of spending too much was not on the cards! I am very grateful for the patience of time in the common room, Students Union and Molloys! With all lecturers that had the misfortune of having to put up with fellow students Andrew Tully, John Maher and Peter Sheerin me!! I would also like to mention that my stay at Tallaght RTC to name but a few, we set up the first society in Tallaght RTC was made easier and very pleasurable due to the presence of the late Johnny Nolan whom we will never forget for his “Events with the Brewery Society unique humour. May he rest in peace. and Students Union made me realise
that perhaps a future in Cobol Fast forward to January 2007 in Dublin, on a tour I had programming just was not on the organised for forty of my beloved Austrian customers and cards!” who do we meet but the Tallaght RTC beer rep Mel Larkin who has gone back to his roots and is working for the same namely ‘The Brewery Society’ which hosted the Colleges first brewery as he was in 1992! ever event ‘The Boat Race’ in September 1992. The society never gained full recognition by the College but proved to And so to the Austrian part of the tale. I moved to Linz be very popular with students! (Austrias 3rd City) in February 1997 to manage a newly opened Irish Pub in the city.
20 Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 Graduate Profiles
As an industrial city, Linz sometimes lacks the tourist stampede of other places like Salzburg and Vienna but the inner city is quite beautiful and still has a great traditional feel despite having recently experienced a major overhaul in anticipation of the forthcoming ‘Linz 2009’ and its status as a European culture capital.
“the inner city is quite beautiful and still has a great traditional feel” Kieran outside Chelsea pub
The city boasts ‘Ars Electronica’ www.aec.at, a cyber- In 2005 I opened my second bar, Chelsea Pub, an museum, that is amongst the best of its kind in Europe and international sports bar. The idea was born while sitting recently LASK Linz football team were promoted back into in a beer-garden in Wexford in 2004 with fellow Tallaght the Bundesliga after a 6 year absence. The city has always RTC student Colin Delaney who became more and more been almost crime-free and the people of Linz are a friendly, persuasive after each pint we drank together! So truly I do welcoming bunch, who also enjoy sampling a bit of Irish have a lot to thank Tallaght RTC for - if only I had stuck with culture whether it’s sipping a ‘pint of Plain’ in an Irish pub or the optional after-hours German course! Present projects popping over for a trip with Ryanair. The town is like a large include launching my own range of Schnapps and selling village based on one main pedestrian street. Austrian food in the pubs of Ireland... watch this space in the coming months! I am also involved in importing various other products to Ireland so if anyone needs some quality Austrian products, look no further and please don’t hesitate to contact me!!
Regards, Kieran Bates
The Celtic Foodstore
Not a day passes when you don’t bump into someone you know on the road. Linz provides the perfect location for a weekend break or a base to discover the other areas in this Alpine region. It’s the perfect destination if you’re looking for very warm summers or skiing in the winter! Most folks coming here from Dublin are surprised by the cheap prices of food and drink with a pint at about 3 euros and a main course from about 6-10 euros.
In December 1999 I opened my own pub The Old Dubliner, a small and cosy pub with unrivalled TV sports coverage, Contact Kieran at The Old Dubliner Pub Austria’s best choice of Irish whiskies and over 60 different email: [email protected] beers. In 2004 the pub won ‘Best Beer Pub in Upper-Austria’ [email protected] and in 2006, ‘Best Irish Pub in Austria’. In 2001 I opened The web: www.theolddubliner.com Celtic Foodstore, a shop selling Irish foods, drinks and gifts tel: +43 (0) 70 776202 which I import myself from Dublin. We also supply other Irish Address: Hauptplatz 15 , A-4020 Linz , AUSTRIA pubs in Austria.
Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 21 MBOPLK>I >PPFPQ>KQP B A>Q> BKQOV @IBOHP @RPQLJBO PBOSF@B OBMP LCCF@B GRKFLOP >AJFK P>IBP >AJFK Graduate Profiles
plenary lecture on “Coumarin-Metal Complexes, Venkat Reddy Anticancer and Antimicrobial Activity” covering coumarin metal complexes and their biological applications. On day 2 Prof. J. Mrozinski from Poland (University of Wroclaw) Thangella gave a very interesting talk entitled “Heterobimetallic and Mixed–Valance Coordination Compounds”, providing an Venkat is a Postgraduate Researcher with in depth study of the magnetic properties of coordination the Centre for Pharmaceutical Research and compounds. The third day included a very interesting talk Development (CPRD) at ITT Dublin. Here he by the conference chairman Prof. Melnik from Slovakia reports on his recent trip to the XXI International (Alexander Dubcek University), on the “Stereochemistry of Conference on Coordination and Bioinorganic Copper Complexes and Their Bio-activity” and a lecture Chemistry in Bratislava, Slovakia. by Dr. R. N. Patel from India (A. P. S. University) lecture entitled “The Chemistry of Synthetic Models for Copper(II) The Conference, entitled Complexes and their Biochemical Relevance”. “Achievements in Co- ordination, Bioinorganic That afternoon, an excursion was organised to a piano and Applied Inorganic concert, which was held at a castle in a nearby village. Chemistry” was held at The concert was followed by a wine tasting session. This the Congress Centre of social event helped participants to get to know each the Slovak Academy of other better and to network as well as providing the Sciences in Smolenice opportunity to learn more about Slovakia, its folk and Castle, Smolenice, customs. Bratislava from June 3-8, 2007 and was organised by the Slovak Chemical Society, Slovak Technical University, Comenius University, Alexander Dubek University, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, and Slovak Academy of Sciences. The Castle was in a picturesque location in the middle of the forest hills near Smolenice village. Participants from 19 countries took part including Ireland, where ITT Dublin was represented by Dr. Bernie Creaven, (lecturer) Darius Karcz (postgraduate researcher) and myself.
The 4-day conference was focused on up-to-date achievements and problems of coordination, inorganic On the final day of the conference, I presented a 10- and bioinorganic chemistry with a different theme each minute talk entitled “Schiff based Quinolin-2(1H)-ones day. Every day the session opened with a main plenary and their Copper(II) Complexes as Potential Antifungal lecture presented by eminent scientists: M. Mikuriya Agents” as part of the Young Scientist section. I am (Kwansei Gakuin University, Japan), R. Slade (University of very grateful to The Institute of Chemistry of Ireland (ICI) Surrey), T. Szabó-Plánka (University of Szeged, Hungary), for granting me a travel bursary award to attend this and P. Day (Royal Institution of Great Britain). In addition prestigious conference and for providing me with this 20 plenary lectures, 36 section lectures, 18 Young Scientist great opportunity to present my first international talk in lectures and 12 poster contributions were presented. front of distinguished scientists from many countries and During the conference hundreds of novel compounds to network with first class researchers. Finally, I would like were discussed. I attended a number of talks which were to thank my supervisors, Dr. Maureen Walsh and Dr. Bernie closely related to my area of research and found each to Creaven for their tremendous support. be fascinating and informative. Further information on the conference can be obtained On the first day Dr. Bernie Creaven presented an excellent at: www.chtf.stuba.sk/kach/smolenice/
Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 23 Graduate Profiles Picture Perfect
Pearl Phelan – AV Grad 2005
and asked stupid questions and learned loads. They allowed me to visit the photographer’s studio for a shoot of beauty products and I was thrilled to be given the chance to lay out the products creatively.
Well, they obviously got sick of me in the office so sent me away to the photographer, and I got to squeeze out the lipgloss and spill the nail varnish. Can I take your picture? How’d Anyway, I did so with such you like to be in the local panache that I was allowed paper? These days, people to lay the shoes out for don’t recognise me without a the next shoot, as well as chunk of black plastic made by dressing the mannequin. Canon attached to my face! Eventually, it was me that the editor sent to the shops I’ve been a photographer for to gather up the items the best part of two years now, having graduated from ITT to be photographed for Dublin in 2005 with a BA Honours Degree in Audio Visual both the fashion and interiors pages. I was the stylist for the Media. You don’t really leave the course as a photographer, Fashion and Home Style pages of Woman’s Way magazine a director, or an animator; you become one through for a year. work experience. We experimented a lot in our four years of college in Tallaght…yes of course I mean in different The game plan was to train up as a photographer and then go back to shiny pretty magazines with both styling and Eventually, it was me that the editor photography training. My first job as a photographer came sent to the shops to gather up the through my interest in drama. Tom Jenner, the much-loved photography lecturer at ITT Dublin, had a friend in a theatre items to be photographed for both company that wanted photos done but hadn’t a budget the fashion and interiors pages for them. Tom saw that as a great opportunity for one of his final year students to build up their portfolio. aspects of media production and theory. However, it takes ‘real world’ experience in a working environment (and LOTS of pots of tea) to become a media professional. Like most industries, you have to start at the bottom, make the tea, and observe how the business works.
Work experience in what may be thought of as a decidedly ‘untrendy’ women’s magazine was what inspired me to concentrate on photography. It was the summer after second year. I looked over the shoulder of the Picture Editor
24 Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 Graduate Profiles
I photographed an actor in costume for the poster, the cast Lucan, Clondalkin, Blanchardstown and Dundrum, with the and crew in rehearsals, and on stage at the dress rehearsal. intention of further expansion in the foreseeable future. The rehearsal photos were in the programme and the dress rehearsal photos were mounted in the foyer of the theatre ITT Dublin has been good to me, even giving me public on opening night. The company sent the latter set of images relations work for the college prospectus as I finished the around as part of the drive for publicity, and I found one fourth year of study, for which I used college equipment, of my photographs in the Sunday Business Post and on the and charged them - cheeky! The many photographers cover of the Programme of Events pamphlet for Draiocht, a and editorial staff at the various publications I’ve worked theatre and arts centre in Blanchardstown. Thanks Tom! for have been more than helpful and patient with a young one starting out, and I intend to do the same for those who I found one of my photographs in come after me. That’s the spirit of the Graduates Association I suppose. the Sunday Business Post and on the cover of the Programme of Events The Gazette (and all publications) needs freelance people pamphlet for Draiocht, a theatre to cover when the staff members aren’t available, so I contacted Tom in the Photography Department at ITT Dublin and arts centre in Blanchardstown to get the fourth years to send in CVs. The requirements for press photography include a camera, a car and the Other great portfolio-building opportunities (read: chances to work for nothing) came along, and I grabbed them ITT Dublin has been good to me, with both hands. In all seriousness, who wants to hire a even giving me public relations photographer without seeing plenty of examples of their work for the college prospectus as I finished the fourth year of study
brazenness to approach strangers… and it’s great to see that two more of Tom’s students are now on the books at the Gazette.
Now I’ve an awful longing for a cup of tea…
Pearl Phelan [email protected]
work? The whole pay peanuts – get monkeys attitude doesn’t wash though, you’re only as good as your last job.
The Echo, the wonderful local newspaper, gave me a chance to work and I’m really grateful to them. I covered my own graduation for The Echo. Back in first year of college, I managed to persuade Joe McCartney, a staff photographer at the paper at the time, to bring me out with him to get a taste of a ‘day in the life’ of a press photographer. He was very kind and I learnt a lot that day about dealing with people compassionately, as well as picture-taking skills. Now I have a job as staff photographer with Gazette Group Newspapers and Joe and I often share a knowing nod when we meet at events both papers are covering! The Gazette Group has four titles to date, in
Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 25 Newsletter 2007 What is the Seanad? And why can’t Tallaght Graduates vote for Seanad candidates?
‘Disgraceful’, ‘unconstitutional’, ‘shambolic’, ‘outdated’, Out of a total of 60 Senate positions, 43 are elected by ‘elitist’ – all words used to describe the longstanding the tiny elite of less than 1,000 county councillors. 11 are debacle on The Seanad elections which is becoming an appointed by the Taoiseach. The remaining 6 are voted for increasingly burning issue due to many high profile media in a postal ballot by graduates of Trinity College and the features of late slamming the election process for Ireland’s NUI. In total, 155,000 ballot papers were sent out on June 19 upper house of parliament, Seanad Eireann. and to be returned by July 24.
Trinity candidate Seán O’Connor who ran in the election on a reform platform, which includes a call to open up the election process says “The fact that only TCD and NUI graduates are entitled to vote is extremely biased against other graduates. In the 1930s, TCD and NUI covered all Irish graduates, but today this covers less than half of them. In 1979 the Irish people voted by way of a constitutional amendment to give the Government the power to change the law and include other graduates. It is now approaching 30 years since the people voted yes for reform – yet successive governments have done nothing. The majority
David Norris outside the Dail of Irish people have little or no interest in the Irish Senate but we can rectify this by opening the election to the general As a graduate of an Institute of Technology Tallaght, public” University of Limerick or DCU you would be forgiven for being confused as to who makes up members of the Seanad University candidates are elected exclusively by postal and how they are elected. This will be at least partly due vote. In the last election, in the NUI constituency an astonishing 18,000 ballot papers were returned as being Several hundred deceased people “undeliverable”. Even more alarmingly, the report released are still registered to vote! this week by Experian also reveals that the NUI register is 67% incorrect, while the Trinity register of voters is 57% incorrect. to the fact that only graduates of Trinity College and the NUI have the privilege of voting for candidates while the rest are left out in the cold by what has long been exposed The fact that only TCD and NUI as a shambolic, undemocratic system of voting for Seanad graduates are entitled to vote is positions. Read on to find out how this disgraceful situation is ongoing, how progress has been hindered by successive extremely biased against other governments and how it can be resolved. graduates
An already raging inferno has been fanned further with In the 2002 elections, the NUI contained four registered the recent revelation that several hundred deceased voters who had graduated between the years 1897 and people are still registered to vote! Procrastination and 1899, while Trinity has no less than 29 who graduated in incompetence by successive governments for nearly 30 the year 1900! O’Toole adds “The State fund certain costs years has meant this brimming situation is justifiably coming incurred by the candidates, for example issuing one canvas to the boil in many corners of Irish society. Jason O’Toole letter per candidate to every graduate voter on the register. of Hotpress writes that “according to a new report by With 11 candidates on the Trinity panel and 24 on the NUI Experian, the world’s largest data management company, panel, over 1.8 million wasted letters may be posted during there are 680 deceased members still on the register, one this campaign according to Experian’s findings” having graduated Trinity College in 1911 is estimated at 118 years old!”
26 Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 Newsletter 2007
O’Connor, who commissioned the report, believes this will is certainly fatally flawed, the quality of elected Senators is lead to the waste of approximately €600,000 of public certainly varied. This year’s successful candidates included money. “This is a shambles”, O’Connor says, “I have been household names such as the radical David Norris who seeking Senate reform for some time now, and I hope was brought to prominence under the system and noted that this new information will shock the Government into Reid Professor of Criminal Law, Criminology and Penology taking action”. O’Connor has written to the Minister for at Trinity College Dublin and former Labour European the Environment, John Gormley, who has responsibility candidate Ivana Bacik. However as James O’Toole rightly for elections, to propose that the State takes on the points out “for every radical voice, there are ten Senators management of the electoral register for graduate voters. elected by the county councils…” He has also provided the Minister with the Experian report and has sought an urgent meeting with him. The advice is clear, highlight the unjust nature of this system Waste of approximately as often as possible and vote or give support to individuals €600,000 of public money determined to implement change. Due to government incompetence, you, as an Institute of Technology graduate
Critisism comes from many areas including USI President (or any other readers who are not entitled to vote), are Colm Hamrogue – “I’m elected to run the national union being deprived what should be a constitutional right and of students but ironically I can’t vote in elections to the you shouldn’t be happy about it. Seanad as I graduated from IT Sligo. A horrid kind of elitism is the issue. The criteria that establish franchise entitlements should not be built on ‘college apartheid’. The democratic legitimacy of the University Panel is compromised because only graduates of the favoured colleges have the franchise. An urgent priority for the new government must be to legislate for the graduate equality in respect of Seanad elections” (Just prior to the design of this newsletter, press
DCU’s Graduate Research Director, Dr Gary Murphy, is also reports emerged that in favour of change. Writing in DCU’s alumni magazine, Environment Minister he stated “This (situation) is nothing short of a disgrace. It John Gormley had deprives DCU graduates of their constitutional rights to vote announced he was in Seanad elections. As it stands, the members of Seanad determined to extend Eireann do not represent a wide cross-section of Irish politics. voting rights to all third-level graduates with a degree The best way to make it happen is to use your Seanad vote and was setting up an all-party group to come up with a to support candidates who will strive to see Seanad reform ‘consensus approach’ for the reform plans. Naturally this is enacted” welcome news, however due to the strong resistance he will face within the political system to radical reform and
The good (bad) news is that over the last 70 years, no less given the history of the campaign up to now, people would than 12 Senate reform reports have been drawn up by be forgiven for not getting to excited) the Oireachtas. While the validity of the election process
Graduate Competition – Win a 5GB MP3 player ITT Dublin wants your feedback…
Log on to www.ittgraduatesurvey2007.ie to a survey currently online. As an ITT Dublin graduate the Careers Service would welcome feedback on your experiences in the Institute, your views on what courses could be offered and how relevant your studies have been in preparing you for your career? The strategic plan for ITT Dublin promises a tremendous future with major campus developments planned. Can you take 2 minutes to complete an on-line questionnaire where you can add your opinions?
You will then automatically be entered in a draw to win a to win a 5GB MP3 player! closing date 31/03/2008
Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 27 Research and Innovation
Research and Innovation at ITT Dublin - going from strength to strength
Research and Innovation continue to take an increasingly prominent role in the life of the Institute. Applied research leading to commercial outcomes is the main focus but more fundamental research is also strong in the Science and Technology and Humanities areas. Significant successes that occurred during the year are detailed below.
the Institute on a national stage, and provides a major opportunity for the future development and growth of research… I would like to recognise and thank all of those who contributed to the development of the proposal… which would not have been successful today were it not for the solid foundation and track record established by collaborative projects under previous cycles of PRTLI and other funding programmes involving the wider research community at the Institute”
The aforementioned institutions associated with CASH have a strong track record of collaboration in applied / translational research for specific areas of healthcare (including Cycle 3 of PRTLI), and the three strongest areas of collaboration formed the basis for the successful proposal. These are:
ITT Dublin secures €9.26 million in PRTLI 1. Biomedical Devices funding for development of Centre of 2. Strategies for Combating Difficult and Antimicrobial Applied Science for Health (CASH) Resistant Pathogens 3. Translational Molecular Cell Biology Research
The biggest success story of 2007 was the securing of A blend of core and applied research is required to €9.26 million in funding under Cycle 4 of the Program for advance knowledge in these areas to a point where Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI). Announced by translation to an industrial or clinical environment can the Minister for Education on 3rd August 2007, €4.2 million begin. Each of the institutions will contribute in highly is ear-marked for the development of a Centre of Applied complementary fashion to each research phase, with a Science for Health (CASH), in collaboration with Tallaght particularly strong clinical perspective being provided by Hospital (AMNCH), DCU National Institute for Cellular AMNCH. Biotechnology, and NUI Maynooth. It will enable the Institute to develop a new research building on campus CASH will leverage a wealth of expertise and capability and fund a range of research projects. from ITT Dublin, DCU, NUIM and AMNCH to advance both knowledge and technology relating to these areas of vital In recognising this achievement, ITT Dublin Head of importance to society. Development, Pat Coman remarked “The success in PRTLI is a significant step in affirming the quality of research in
28 Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 Research and Innovation
Application for First Ever ITT Dublin Delegated Authority for Research and Innovation research Newsletter is Published in 2007 ITT Dublin recently submitted an application to the Higher Education Training Awards Council (HETAC), 2007 also saw the first ever re- who award our research degrees, for ‘Delegated search and innovation publica- Authority (DA)’ to manage and make awards from tion entitled ‘ITT Dublin Research our own programmes. Since securing DA for all of the and Innovation 2007’, a 40-page HETAC taught programmes from Higher Certificate up production detailing the many to taught Masters Level in July 2006, ITT Dublin has since faces of research and innova- submitted a follow up DA application for the research tion throughout the Institute. In programmes which was two years in preparation. an impressive snapshot, it high- lights many of the considerable The first stage is called an application to maintain a successes in recent times and research degree register. Initially HETAC can only since ITT Dublin opened in 1992. delegate authority to the Institute to manage and For all those interested in re- monitor the whole registration and assessment process. search and innovation and anyone who wishes to catch up This is due to the differences that exist between research on what is happening at ITT Dublin, it is not to be missed. For degree programmes and those delivered in formal a downloadable version and to read more about research taught mode. The second stage involves applying to and innovation in general visit www.ittdublin.ie and click on manage the overall thesis submission and examination Research at ITT Dublin. For a hard copy email Muire Coby at process and involves the preparation and submission [email protected]. of yet another self-evaluation report.
This first stage, to enable the Institute to maintain its own register of postgraduates, has been successful. HETAC will allow us to manage stage one (registration and assessment) for the areas where research has been most active. ITT Dublin is submitting an application for its Masters or Level 9 research degree programmes in Engineering, Science and Computing and for its PhD or Level 10 programmes in Biology and Chemistry since this has been where the most graduates have occurred to date.
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Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 29 Research and Innovation
A year in the life of research and innovation in ITT Dublin – some noteworthy happenings in 2006/2007
December 2006 The results of the TSR Strand 3 research competition were
released and ITT Dublin had 2 successful applications Darius Karcz and one application on the reserve list. The successful applicants were the Centre for Research in Electroanalytical May 2007 Technology (CREATE – www.ittdublin.ie/create) and the The 3rd Franco-Irish Conference was hosted by ITT Dublin at Centre for Pharmaceutical Research and Development the Institute over the 10th and 11th of May 2007. This year, the (CPRD – www.ittdublin.ie/cprd). Acknowledging another theme for the gathering was Modernity and Postmodernity in outstanding performance by ITT Dublin researchers, Dr. Tim a Franco-Irish Context. Keynote speakers included Dr. John Creedon, Director of ITT Dublin remarked “This is an excellent McDonagh (MIC/UL), Dr. Brigitte le Juez (DCU) and Mr. Fintan result against a very competitive field of over 40 applications. O’Toole (The Irish Times). Mr. O’Toole also launched a book I would like to thank all who put such tremendous effort co-edited by Eamon Maher and Eugene O’Brien entitled La into the applications and to congratulate those who were France face à la mondialisation/France and the Struggle successful”. Against Globalization (New York: The Edwin Mellen Press) and expressed his pleasure at seeing a National Research March 2007 Centre of such dynamism established in an Institute of Under its Embark Initiative, a scheme which attracts the very Technology, where Humanities wouldn’t traditionally have best prospective students from the Universities and Institutes been considered a central preoccupation. of Technology, the Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology (IRCSET) awarded two ITT In 2008, the next National Centre of Franco Irish Studies Dublin students with funding. Aidan O’Reilly is a final year (NCFIS) conference will be hosted in Rennes and will grapple student in the Honours Degree in Mechanical Engineering. with the following topic: Secularism and Globalisation in His proposed project involves the novel application of France and Ireland. The Director of the NCFIS, Dr. Eamon haptic technology to physical rehabilitation, and has the Maher, would love to hear from graduates who might have support of an orthopaedic surgeon as well as his supervisors, an interest in pursuing research in any area of Franco-Irish Dr. Fiona McEvoy and Mr. Paul Dillon. interest and would urge you to consult the website of the Centre: www.ittdublin.ie/ncfis, especially in relation to Darius Karcz is a postgraduate student in Chemistry, who has postgraduate opportunities. funding to Masters level. This award will allow him to transfer to the PhD register and not be dependent on internal PhD Continuation Funding. He is working in the area of Synthesis, Characterisation and Anti-microbial Activity of Novel Transition Metal Complexes with Coumarin Derived Schiff- base Ligands. His supervisors will be Dr. Bernie Creaven and Dr. Maureen Walsh. Serge Francois, Fintan O’Toole, Eamon Maher, David Irwin and Eugene O’Brien at the launch of la France face à la mondialisation
30 Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 Research and Innovation
June 2007 The TSR Strand 1 Science & Technology Panel results in June saw 11 approved applications from ITT Dublin and 2 applications go on the reserve list. An extremely strong performance by the Institute despite only three out of our seven Institute Research Centres submitting applications on this occasion.
There was further success in the Business & Humanities competition for Dr. Eamon Maher’s project entitled “Crossing Borders: The Role of City & Women in the Poetry of Charles Baudelaire & Peter Sirr” which was ranked 10th out of 80 applications.
For more information on the many and varied areas of research Patricia O’Sullivan (M50) Andy Pyle (Shell Ireland and and innovation please visit: www. John Beckett ittdublin.ie and click on Research at ITT Dublin.
Innovation On the innovation side of things, the new ‘Synergy Centre’, ITT Dublin’s brand new €3.5 million business innovation and incubation centre opened (read about this in detail in the article in this newsletter and at www.synergy.ie” and the M50 Enterprise Program continues to consolidate its outstanding success in jump-starting start-up enterprises having scooped the overall winner and a special award for best support programme for entrepreneurs at the 2006 Shell livewire Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. Visit www. m50-enterprise.ie for more info.
Applied research is also extremely healthy with substantial funding secured from Enterprise Ireland and from industry for projects in Mobile Computing and in wireless communications (RF Engineering). The latter is the largest such project funded May 2007 under the Innovation Partnerships scheme involving an early The following article appeared in The Irish Independent stage start-up company. Given the obvious commercial on Thursday 31st May 2007 highlighting the ongoing potential of such projects and maturation of many research achievements of the Centre for Pharmaceutical Research centres, it follows that the Institute is now placing huge (CPRD), one of ITT Dublin’s designated ‘Institute Research emphasis on the important issues of Intellectual Property, Centres (IRC). A similar article also appeared in The Echo Intellectual Property Protection (an Institute IP policy was newspaper in Tallaght that week. Principal researchers in approved in 2006) and Technology Transfer. Indeed we CPRD include: Drs. B. Creaven, D. Egan, M. Walsh (ITT Dublin); are seeking to establish a permanent Technology Transfer Prof. M. Devereux (DIT); Drs. K. Kavanagh, M. McCann (NUI Office to service this need. Maynooth).
Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 31 Research and Innovation
Ever Considered Being Your Own Boss?
Enterprise Start Programmes As well as offering great facilities and a start-up friendly atmosphere, Synergy also runs a number of courses to help would-be entrepreneurs find their feet. The first of these, the Enterprise Start Programme is aimed at those who are considering setting up their own business, and have an idea, but may not be working at it on a full-time basis. The programme runs on Friday nights and Saturday mornings to facilitate those in a full time job and takes the participant through a range of modules including finance, sales and marketing, business planning and protecting intellectual property.
The would-be entrepreneurs will get a chance at the Synergy Centre, ITT Dublin’s newest building on campus end of the programme to present their business plans to is home to innovation and enterprise. It provides office the County Enterprise Board, Enterprise Ireland, Synergy space and business support to early stage ventures with Centre Management and representatives from some of office units available to budding entrepreneurs to rent the local banks. The next programme will commence on from €500 per month as well as desk space available by the 14th of September and you can find more information the week. The centre is aimed at attracting innovative on either the Synergy centre, or Enterprise Ireland websites. businesses that have significant potential as employers, The cost of the programme is €275. exporters and innovators. Clients On Board The Centre is filling up rapidly now with ten Synergy Centre offers: companies on board as well as a number of individuals who are still at the planning stages of • 14 units of 18sqm to 46sqm for rent from €500 per their business concepts. These include: month (including light, heat, security, cleaning and broadband). This space is perfect for small ventures • ClearTone Technologies: Developers of digital with high potential hearing test equipment. • Global Security Devices: Developers and manufacturers of innovative access control • The Embryo Room: consists of individual desk space for equipment for the security industry. rent by the week. This can facilitate up to ten one • GSG: Are also involved in Innovation Partnership man woman potential companies who are still with ITT Dublin. investigating the feasibility of their business concept • Renewable Power Generation: Seller of fixed cost wind generated electricity to industrial companies. • The Glasshouse’ training room and separate • Minola Technology: Minola offer a software boardroom, each with plasma screens, DVD and solution that allows manufacturing companies video facilities. to exploit a number of EU Custom and Excise Duty incentive programmes and can generate • 8 MB up-down broadband, UPS, wireless broadband in potentially millions of euros in savings for these companies. common areas and IP telephony. • Press Play Ltd: Developing a new tile backerboard for the construction industry. • 24 hour access through an electronic swipe-key system Wirelite Sensors • Idiro: Documation Assured Web Services • Full service café • Skupe Net Ltd: Classified Advertising Solutions • TiPS • Wide range of mentoring and networking programmes
32 Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 Research and Innovation
While operating in many varied areas ranging from The M50 Enterprise Programme is an innovative enterprise renewable energy supply, to wireless access systems, support programme, provided in partnership by four to telecommunications, what they all have in common higher education institutions located in the M50 economic is the potential to grow quickly, export their product or corridor. It targets individuals wishing to make the leap service and become a key part of the Irish economy. from full-time employment or those in the early stages of starting their own high potential knowledge-intensive Plans for the Future businesses, and provides them with a range of effective There are a limited number of office units and desk spaces supports over a twelve month period left at Synergy Centre, but plans are already in place to extend the building and become an even busier hub of innovation. Links with the Institute are strengthening every day and new programmes are now being developed that will encourage cross-pollination between students, businesses and academics.
The M50 Enterprise Platform Programme What’s On Offer? The M50 Enterprise Platform Programme is being • Clinics: regular expert advice and direction for revamped and will re-launch in early 2008 offering those each individual business. with a strong business idea with genuine potential the • Coaching: access to highly experienced opportunity to work on it full time for one year under the programme managers. guidance of industry experts. • Mentoring: access to experienced business mentors. • Training: on the key aspects of business planning and operation Networking, advice and assistance from other entrepreneurs. • Incubation facilities hot-desk style in a campus environment. • EI Cord grant for those approved by Enterprise Ireland.
Incubation Facilities ITT Dublin’s end of the M50 programme is run out of Synergy centre, the institute’s on-campus business incubation centre and programme participants will have access to hot desks and meeting rooms within Synergy This is not a training programme. Whilst some limited skills- centre for the duration of the programme. based training is provided the focus of the programme is on providing practical supports to entrepreneurs For more information on this programme please visit actually building a company. The programme compels www.m50-enterprise.ie. participants to leave their comfort zone and follow a disciplined structured approach designed for success Graduates of ITT Dublin are always welcome to visit whilst providing the necessary advice and guidance to Synergy Centre – whether that’s just for a look around, or support the participant on that journey. to discuss a business concept.
Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 33 Clubs and Societies
in an Irish College and culminated in winning Best Event for ITTFM Radio Week by half a point in the Final from IT Tralee and Mary Immaculate College Limerick. Drama Society won Best Poster in an Irish College for their double sell out play “Faust”. The Society also received a special mention in the Best Society category as did Jonathan Flood in the Best Individual category.
After a fantastic weekend (9th and 10th March) in Carlow the hurling team from ITT Dublin reclaimed the Fergal Maher Cup. Having beaten Letterkenny IT in the Semi-final on Friday they faced Kings Inns Law School in a repeat of last years final. Thankfully the only difference this year was the result after been beaten last year by 2 points after Clubs and extra time. Societies news With over 40 clubs and societies, catering for many diverse interests from physical pursuits (sports) to drama and debating (arts and culture) there is always a hive of activity when lectures finish at ITT Dublin. 2006/2007 was another great year for the Institute which included new societies coming on board in the shape of the Kayaking Club, Harambee Charity Society, Hip Hop Dance Society, and Islamic Society as well the continued and consistent
performance of our more established ones. Read on to Our lads won in very convincing fashion 4-14 v 0-05. find out more about the many successes we had during Needless to say the lads had a fantastic weekend and the year. represented the College both on and off the field in an exemplary fashion over the entire weekend. Although we don’t have our own sporting facilities
on campus much use is made by the many available The Mens Basketball Team had a superb achievement local facilities and among the many staff and student winning the Intervarsity Plate Championship in Cork on infrastructural developments recommended by the HEA Sunday the 11th of March beating League Champions in their Review and Prioritisation of Capital Projects in the IT Tralee 79-66 in the Final. The Team had a fantastic Higher Education Centre in 2004 are a new multi-purpose championship student services building (which will include sports/ recreation facilities), an expanded health centre and the provision of all weather and grass sports pitches. These are some of the many inclusions in the Institute’s Development Control Plan 2003-2009.
The success of our societies was illustrated by a fantastic performance at the BICS National Societies Awards in April 2007 at the Galway Bay Hotel with ITT Dublin Societies winning an unprecedented three categories. Only hosts NUI Galway could match the ITT Dublin sweep and popularity at the Awards. Radio Society won Most Improved Society
34 Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 Clubs and Societies
dispatching of NUI Maynooth, Dundalk IT and UU Coleraine Division 1 of the newly formed Colleges and Universities in the group stages and overcoming a very strong WIT Team League. in the Semi Final on the Saturday. The competition was hosted by UCC and was only the 2nd year non Universities ITT Dublin on TV have been included in the competition. Special mention In April RTE 1’s program ‘Capital D’ featured an excerpt must go to Captain Ciaran Mac Evilly (3rd Year Business) on ITT Dublin which focused on our sports scholarship and MVP Kevin Gunnar Tope (1st Year Computing). students and their day to day life balancing academic life with sporting ambition. In particular, it highlighted ITT ITT Dublin Hockey Team won the National Indoor Dublin Sports Scholars playing for Shamrock Rovers FC, our Championships in great style on Thursday the 15th of local Eircom League Premier Division Club, and its link with March in Carlow overcoming Dundalk IT 3 - 1 in the Final this Institute and the local community. having earlier beaten IT Carlow and IT Tralee at the semi and quarter final stages respectively. Congratulations to Sports, Arts and Culture Scholarships all involved. The scholarship programme was further expanded this year from 26 to 36 recipients across a broad spectrum of On Sunday the 25th of March, ITT Dublin Badminton Team the clubs and societies with increased sponsorship from won the Intervarsity Plate in WIT after beating UU Coleraine South Dublin County Council to €10,000 and the addition 4-3 in the semi final and UU Jordanstown 5-2 in the Final. It of a new venture with Shamrock Rovers FC who facilitated 5 full scholarships to the tune of €1500 each.
For more information on Sports and Recreation please visit www.ittdublin.ie/sports/ or contact our Sports and Recreation Officer Tim O’Connor at (01) 404 2550 or [email protected]
had been all of nine years since this event was last won by ITT Dublin and it was great achievement for our students.
On Wednesday the 14th of April ITT Dublin Fresher Soccer Team won the Division 2 League Final beating DIT 8-7 on penalties having drawn 1-1 after full time and extra time. We will now have Teams in both the Premier Division and
Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 35 Newsletter 2007
Ophidiophobia – An irrational fear of snakes, not prevalent in all ITT Dublin staff members apparently! Read on…
and territorial but most calm down with persistent handling. Both are excellent escape artists, so care must be taken when planning their housing environment! They can be found from South Eastern America down into Mexico and are mostly land dwelling. They’re active mainly at night or at dusk and dawn and their life span can be up to 20-25 years in captivity, but is generally much less in the wild due habitat loss and destruction.
Owning a snake has many advantages – they are very clean, don’t take up much room, they only feed every 7-10 days, relatively easy to breed, quiet and quite inexpensive to start. The price range on most hatchlings can go from €70 - €300 but it can range from €400 - €1000 for the more exotic of the species. The very mention of the word “Reptile” for some, is enough to send shivers down the spine. However, snakes and other They are also excellent exotic animals are becoming more commonplace in for scaring away door Ireland, one of only a few countries in the world that has no to door salesmen, record of having wild snakes. Jenny Somers & Nigel Hughes, unruly children, nosey both ITT Dublin staff and proud owners of 6 snakes between neighbours and go them, attempt to shed some light into the fascinating world down very well at of Herpetology. Halloween when you run out of sweets! The most commonly kept snakes in captivity are Corn Seriously though, they Snakes (Elaphe Guttata) and Kingsnakes (Lampropeltis do appear to be a genuine deterrent to wild mice entering Getulus). They both belong to the Colubridae group that your house. includes well over half the 2,700 snake species on Earth. Corns or Ratsnakes are generally docile, relatively easy to Captive bred snakes will happily feed on dead mice & rats care for, and very rarely exceed 5ft. They also have the which are bought frozen from local suppliers. Snakes will Owning a snake has many still instinctively attack and constrict the food item even advantages – they are very clean though it is already dead. They can eat an item up to three times their width, dislocating their upper and lower jaws , they don’t take up much room, to accommodate the extra size. Lizards generally feed they only feed every 7-10 days, on live prey like crickets & locusts. Some, like Iguanas, are relatively easy to breed, quiet and completely vegetarian but others will eat mixes of regular pet food, greens and the occasional rodent. Keeping mice quite inexpensive to buy in your freezer or live locusts in your house isn’t everyone’s idea of fun so do your research before you buy! greatest colour and morph variations of all the snakes. Kingsnakes are so called as they are immune to most other snakes venom and although not poisonous themselves they Myths – Snakes aren’t slimy, they’re actually very dry. can be cannibalistic if they’re hungry enough and must be They live in warm and humid environments where any housed alone in captivity. They tend to be more aggressive water on their skin would quickly evaporate.
36 Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 Newsletter 2007
Snakes are “ecothermic” which means they can not or not, standing perfectly still is a regulate their own body temperature like Humans and other very good form of defence against mammals (as they have no hair or sweat glands).They take getting bitten as snakes’ instinct is to strike a moving target. As pioneers like Snakes have no backbone? Wrong! Steve Irwin (R.I.P) & Jeff Corwin have The have about 8 times the amount showed us, if we leave them alone they will leave us alone. Jenny’s snakes of vertebrae a Human has which Precious & Zeus makes them extremely flexible. Contrary to common beliefs and despite being the subject on the temperature of their environment, typically charging of classic Hollywood cliché, no black mambas, rattlesnakes their batteries during the day in the heat, then moving or cobras even make the top ten most poisonous. There are around at night to hunt. approximately 370 venomous species and Tiger & Brown snakes top the list. The biggest recorded snake is a 33ft reticulated Python and not an Anaconda. Pythons are the least evolved of snakes, still showing small spurs at the rear of their bodies where their hind legs used to be when they (as some scientists believe) were lizards. Venomous snakes are considered more evolved.
If we have stoked your interested there’s an excellent Reptile/Exotic Fish shop near the Institute called Aquatic Village in Brittas (talk to Lee), we would also recommend a trip to Reptile Haven in Fishamble Street, Dublin 2 (talk to Ben). Please remember to do plenty of research as reptiles are not for everyone and feel free to chat to Nigel or Jenny for advice.
If snakes don’t do it for you Herpetology has several alternatives. Lizards are hugely popular ranging from Common Geckos, Chameleons, Monitors, Bearded Dragons Snakes have dreadful eyesight but their incredible sense of to the vegetarian Iguanas. Spiders, frogs, turtles & tortoises smell more than makes up for this due to a Jacobsons organ are all considered part of this hobby. The internet has which decodes the various smells of their surroundings. some excellent resources also: www.kingsnake.com, www. Humans are sometimes thought to have had one also, cornsnake.com, www.anapsid.org, www.petsnakes.co.uk which we have since evolved from. and www.pets.ie amongst others.
Snakes have no backbone? Wrong! They have about Nigel has just invested in a 7ft Python even though he had eight times the amount of vertebrae a human has which some reservations about getting a snake bigger than him! makes them extremely flexible. Snakes and other reptiles do Jenny has also purchased a Colombian Rainbow Boa. It not show clear external sexual dimorphism. It can only be might only be 1 foot long now but it will out grow Jenny by determined by probing or popping of the hemipenis. 1-2 feet (in all honesty, that’s not hard). I guess it’s safe to say reptiles are like crisps – you can’t only have one. So are snakes dangerous? This is a bit of a “how deep is a hole?” question, yes if the wrong one bites you but why did Photos by Jenny Somers & Nigel Hughes: Courtesy of Aquatic they bite you in the first place? They are solitary creatures Village, Brittas. & Reptile Haven, Fishamble Street. Special thanks to and except for mating, they just like to be left alone. There both Lee and Ben. Contact Jenny at [email protected] are warning signs – rattling of the tail & hissing, (not exclusive and Nigel at [email protected]. just to Rattlesnakes), forming an S, if the snakes’ body contorts to this shape they are coiling for a strike. Believe it
Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 37 Newsletter 2007 Rant Corner - Let it all out! We let Business Computing Lecturer Pat Mansfield loose on mobile phone fiends, loose chippings and useless drivers! (Since some of the editors share many of his pet hates, this article was always a shoe-in)
My Top Ten Hates, a rant at the argument over the phone, only to drive on nonchalantly a people who give me road rage couple of minutes later as infuriated drivers roared abuse at her. At least she stopped the car while she was making - by Pat Mansfield. the call. But the point is you have all jammed on brakes/ swerved/crashed while trying to deal with a motorist on a mobile.
3. Taxi drivers Need I say more?
4. Bus drivers Fair enough, you’re in the biggest contraption on the road, but does that mean you have to force your way out of the bus lane without looking and indicate as an afterthought?
Many of you will know that Pat Mansfield is a babe and 5. Clampers before you all throw some unmentionable clothing in his Okay, they don’t clamp bikes (yet) but if you’ve ever seen direction, be aware he is talking about being a Born Again someone coming back to their car just before the dreaded Bike Enthusiast. We all have our gripes when it comes to man in the van is about to render their car useless, only the hazards we experience on the roads on a daily basis. for the clamper to take a picture of the car and continue So Pat decided to sharpen the proverbial knife and list his clamping, you’ll agree that they can stick their clamps Ten Biker Hates (in no particular order) unapologetically where the... making sweeping generalisations about other road users in doing so. 6. Loose chippings 1. Pedestrians Why do they continue to use this archaic method of repairing our roads? You’re generally doing a fair speed The use of mobile phones/MP3 players renders them through a slow corner when you hit the dreaded stones. oblivious to junctions/lights/motorists. There you are, The back wheel starts to go and you just manage to get driving defensively as you reach a crossroads with the it back and slow to the appropriate speed. It’s only then lights in your favour when Mister Wannabe DJ, with his that the ’Slow - loose chippings’ sign rears its ugly head, 50 oversize headphones, walks out directly in front of you. metres after the road ‘repairs’ began! You narrowly avoid him as he gives you a look that says, ‘I’m walkin’ here!’ In a perfect world he’d trip over the pavement on the other side of the road. 7. Manhole covers Why do they insist on plonking these at the apex of a 2. Mobile phone motorists corner? And would it not make sense to have a layer of something on the top that doesn’t have all the grip of an I once witnessed a young woman stopping a car in ice rink? the middle of a busy road while she had an animated
38 Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 Newsletter 2007
8. Construction vehicles bike cycles away. And while I’m on the subject, have you Apparently no-one is responsible for builders’ waste being ever seen the way cyclists put out their hand to ‘indicate’ thrown all over our roads. A pal of mine was so sick of that they’re going to cross three lanes of traffic, but never coming off his bike after hitting piles of wet mud close to once look behind them? construction sites that he went to the local police station after one incident. He was told to go to the Corporation, 10. Useless drivers which he did. He was then told to go to the Department As if there isn’t enough of a case for compulsory basic of Transport, which he did. They probably told him to training already, the number of motorists who simply should take it up with the Dalai Lama but it was too late - he’d not be on the road is astounding. They don’t indicate, already given up. This kind of incompetence and lack of use their mirrors or have any road awareness whatsoever. accountability is a disgrace. They hug the overtaking lane on motorways because they think it’s a ‘fast’ lane - even though they’re only doing 45 mph.
They do u-turns without indicating; possibly one of the most dangerous things a biker can come across. They generally break every rule of the road and have no concept of the hazard they represent to bikers and motorists in general.
In the UK they have a pretty effective Bike Aware program – something that is sadly lacking here.
9. Cyclists Is it just me or do cyclists think they own the road? You pass the queue of cars waiting at the lights and
slot in in front of them. That’s when a Lance Time to get off me soapbox now! Armstrong look-alike, complete with tights and
silly hat, stops right in front of you. The lights go All complaints to: Pat Mansfield green, the cyclist slows your progress from email: [email protected] the lights and as a result the traffic behind Terms and Conditions: Complaints may be ignored you is held up. You bear the brunt of car drivers’ fury as the guy on the push-
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Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 39 Campus Development
In June 2003, the Institute made Multi-Purpose/Student Services a submission to the HEA Capital Centre Review and Prioritisation Working This is a 4,000 square metre building which will include Group. In September 2004 this sports/multi purpose hall, student restaurant, bar and students union and welfare offices. The hall will be used review committee recommended for sports/recreation activities, exhibitions, conferences, an expenditure of €45.96 million, examinations, conferrals and concerts. between 2004 and 2008, on the Current Site It is anticipated ITT Dublin campus. that, in addition to the €5 m recommended in Phase 1a – (2004 to mid 2006) €m the HEA report for Enabling Infrastructure 7.30 this building, an Catering & Tourism Building 12.66 additional €3.5 m Engineering Building 21.00 will come from the
student fund (restricted reserve) and private donations. @ 40.96
Phase 1b – (mid 2006 – 2008) €m Crèche Multi-Purpose Centre 5.00 This will be a 630 square metre building containing state- of-the-art childcare facilities. An application is currently TOTAL = € 45.96 under active consideration by ADM Ltd. / the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The details of these developments as set out by the Institute, in line with Phase 1 of the development control plan, were as follows:
Enabling Infrastructure The provision of new entrances, roads, mains drainage, water, gas and electricity mains, lighting, boundary treatments, trenching and ducting, infrastructural landscaping, fibre optic loop and external sports facilities. When completed, this project will enable the orderly development of the campus over all phases of the implementation of the master plan.
Catering and Tourism Building This project comprises of a 3,600 square metre facility which will include kitchens and ancillary areas, lecture theatres, classrooms, bar, restaurant and training Research Offices and Industrial and bedroom, staff accommodation, student food hall and Educational Training Suite computing laboratories. This 925 square metre facility includes accommodation for research offices and an educational and training suite Engineering Building for industry. This building will be located at the northern This project comprises of a 5,210 square metre building end of the existing building. This project has already been which will include laboratories, staff office areas, brought to design stage 3. classrooms, lecture theatres and computer laboratories.
40 Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 Campus Development
Incubation Centre – ‘Synergy Centre’ This following proposed development will be funded by Construction commenced in 2005 and was completed in the private sector and consequently, was not included in November 2006. Synergy is a 1,100 square metre facility the submission to the HEA Capital Review and Prioritisation including 16 office units, an embryo room for one-desk Working Group. entrepreneurs, two research rooms, a boardroom, The Glasshouse (training room) and a café. PRTLI Centre of Applied Science for Health (CASH) Building In August 2007 the Minister for Education announced that the Institute had been awarded substantial funding, in excess of €9.2M, under Cycle 4 of the Program for Research for Third Level Institutes (PRTLI). This was a significant step in affirming the standard and quality of research in the Institute on a national stage, and provides a major opportunity for the future development and growth of research.
The centre caters for all shapes and sizes of early-stage business, providing:
• Office space for small ventures with high potential. • Concept desks for entrepreneurs with an early stage idea • Virtual tenancy to companies requiring non-physical The proposal is for the development of a Centre of Applied supports. Science for Health, in collaboration with Tallaght Hospital, DCU National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, and NUI Funding for this project was provided by Enterprise Ireland Maynooth. (90%) and IT Tallaght (10%).
The funding provides for both capital development on the With the exception of priorities 6 and 8, funding for these campus here, and also for recurrent funds for ourselves developments will be provided by the Department of and the partner institutions. Education and Science.
How’s your Handicap? Citywest Golf Resort is offering ITT Dublin Graduates Association members preferential rates on both their Lakes Course and their Championship Course.
Monday – Thursday: €20 / Friday – Sunday: €30
With these special rates you can enjoy the Championship Course with its wonderful parkland setting - a combination of perfectly manicured fairways, superb greens and beautiful mature trees. Or they can choose the Lakes Course, with its many water features and impressive bunkers which promise a memorable and enjoyable round of golf.
People who are considering a round of golf should contact the Pro Shop at (01) 401 0878 to reserve their tee time and say they are ITT Dublin Graduates Association members. A valid membership card (sent with this issue) must be presented to display proof of membership. For any other details contact the resort at (01) 401 0500.
Graduates Association Newsletter 2007 41 Tower Hotel The new Tower Hotel has opened at Whitestown Way, opposite the Square in Tallaght.
A stylish, deluxe 3 star hotel, it is the third and newest Dublin hotel in the Tower Hotel Group’s portfolio. After hosting the 2nd Graduates Association Ball in November they are also kindly offering gym discounts at their Arena Fitness gym to all Association members and ITT Dublin students.
The rates are as follows: gym discounts
Open Fairways Great golfing and accommodation discounts in Ireland and around the world 50% discounts for members Open Fairways are providing members up to 50% discounts on their' Golfing Passports' which enables holders to receive discounts on golf courses in Ireland and around the world and accommodation in many cases. Save hundreds improving your swing at 300+ off Ireland and the UK’s premier courses.
This retails at €149, but members enjoy a rate of ONLY €69! (enter code ITIIRELAND06 online).
The Golfer’s Passport to the UK and Ireland (RRP €179) allows you to test your nerve at all their Irish courses AND over 1200 courses in the UK and worldwide! This is available for the exclusive rate of only €89 (enter code ITIUK06 online). A 50% discount! Also, enjoy 2 for 1 lessons and 2 for 1 tickets at European Tour events, special rate golf insurance and discounts on golf holidays. For more info on how to join visit www.openfairways.com or phone 048 9073 1055
Westpark Gym
A €200 Discount in your first year! Westpark gym are offering: €200 discount on new annual membership of their €10 million facility on the Greenhills Road which boasts the first stainless steel swimming pool in Ireland and some 80 exercise classes per week.
An exclusive annual membership fee of €550 (normally €675) with NO joining fee (normally €75) is available to Association members and staff.
You can also take advantage of the monthly offer which includes a reduced joining fee of €75 (normally €150) with a reduced monthly payment of €53 (normally €63) - an annual saving of €195.
Contact Westpark and speak to Alison or Kevin at (01) 462 6911 and visit the website www.westpark.ie for further details and virtual tours of the gym.
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Junior Software Engineers, Dublin Based Upon joining ATS, you will be part of a We’re helping clients to implement part of our diverse, multi-talented team, team of IT specialists working for many previously unimaginable concepts, often you’ll be surrounded by smart, resourceful of the world’s best-known companies, using breakthrough technologies on people that you can learn from and household names at the front of their projects that are pushing the boundaries of exchange ideas with. field in virtually every industry. what is technically possible. And, because Accenture has over 150 strategic alliances, If you're looking for an exciting job where Junior Software Engineers assist in the with both emerging market innovators and you can tackle real technology challenges, development, delivery and management established market leaders, ATS is given Accenture Technonology Solutions is the of technology-based business solutions. access to projects developing new solutions place for you. To find out more and submit processes and technologies that are way your details online visit our website: They gain experience in coding, testing beyond the reach of any single enterprise. and implementing configuration changes accenture.com/ireland/careers and assisting in the design of software At Accenture Technology Solutions, you’ll applications to meet both functional have access to Accenture’s advanced tool Minimum 2:2 Degree in Computer Science and technical requirements. set and delivery methods. Additionally as or equivalent discipline required.
Visit accenture.com/ireland/careers
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