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Athlone Institute of Technology 2013/2014 annual report

Annual Report 2013 - 2014

Academic Staff and Research and 00 Chairman’s Statement 05 03 Student Affairs 10 04 Development Activities 32 3.1 Academic Council Membership 4.1 Research Activities 3.2 Academic Developments 3.2.1 General 3.2.2 School of Business 3.2.3 School of Humanities President’s Introduction 07 3.2.4 School of Science 01 3.2.5 School of Engineering International Links 35 3.2.6 Department of Life Long Learning 05 5.1 Student Mobility 3.3 Courses Approvals 3.4 Student Statistics 3.4.1 Central Applications Office (CAO) Governance 08 Preferences 02 3.4.2 Number of Students Registered by 2.1 Governing Body Members 2.2 Management and Senior Staff Course Level 3.4.3 Number of Students Registered by 06 Miscellaneous 36 Course mode 6.1 Guests/Visiting Lecturers 3.4.4 Number of Full-Time Students 6.2 Institute Events Registered by School 3.4.5 Gender Balance of Full-Time Registered Students 3.4.6 Conferred Awards contents 3.4.7 Domiciliary Origin of Students Enrolled on Full-Time Courses Financial Report 40 3.4.8 Reasons for Withdrawal of Students 07 Enrolled on Full-Time Courses 3.4.9 The Number of Students availing of European Social Fund Grants (ESF) 3.5 Student Achievements 3.5.1 Sports Scholarships 3.5.2 Sports Awards Winners 08 Appendices 43 3.6 Staff Activities 3.7 Sports Activities 3.8 Student Services

This Report has been compiled and edited by the President’s Office and the Marketing and Communications Office, Athlone Institute of Technology

2 3 00 Chairman’s Statement

As Chairman of the Governing Body of Athlone Institute of Technology, it gives me great pleasure to present the annual report for the academic year 2013/2014.

This reporting period heralds my last full academic year as Chair of the Governing Body for AIT and in that I am delighted to report that in this academic year Athlone Institute of Technology was the runner-up institute of technology in The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2014. AIT jumped seven places in this year’s table and now ranks eleventh overall and fourth among the institutes of technology.

The past year has seen a virtual doubling of research income to €6.4 million, with the Applied Polymer Technologies Ireland research centre among the beneficiaries. The centre aims to build on AIT’s record in polymer research and to develop products which feed into the medical and pharmaceutical industries.

Sports facilities – and athletics in particular – have also seen a major investment with the opening of the International Arena last February. Paul Breen Collaboration continued to grow with the signing of an agreement with Longford Chairman Westmeath Education and Training Board. Students in Westmeath and Longford Athlone Institute of Technology will benefit from a new cooperation agreement signed whereby AIT has committed to assisting in the design, development and monitoring of specific Post-Leaving Certificate programmes to be provided by AIT in conjunction with LWETB.

I would like to acknowledge all of the above as a testament to the commitment of all of the staff of AIT in fulfilling the vision of the Institute to become a college of choice for learners and staff, regionally, nationally and internationally.

Once again, I look forward to working with the institute’s President, Governing Body members, management and staff in the forthcoming academic year.

Paul Breen Chairman

4 5 01 President’s Introduction

This annual report covers the period from 1 September 2013 to 31 August 2014.

In the current economic climate, as talk of austerity coming to an end fills the media, it is important for Irish Higher Education providers to be aware of the needs of employers and meeting their current demands. During this academic year, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) published the National Survey of Employers Views of Irish Higher Education Outcomes. In that report over 75% of companies are confident about graduates having the right workplace and transferable skills and relevant subject or discipline knowledge. This is encouraging for the higher education landscape in Ireland but it does signify that there is work to be done to increase the satisfaction rate of employers with graduates to 100%. This is work that staff and management here at AIT are committed to and this is demonstrated through the introduction of new programmes to meet industry needs, and in particular the introduction of new programmes in the Department of Lifelong Learning. The HEA report on part-time and flexible higher education in Ireland, also published this year, points to the National and International evidence which consistently shows the link between levels of educational attainment among adults and opportunities for employment. This is a link that AIT is Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin committed to developing and pro-actively promoting within the region. President Athlone Institute of Technology In conclusion, I would like to thank the members of the Governing Body for their continued support and advice during the period of review. I would also like to record my appreciation to the management team and all staff of the institute for their continued dedication and commitment to the institute.

Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin President

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02 Governance 2.1 Governing Body Members 2.2 Management and Senior Staff The composition of the Governing Body is determined by the The Institute has four schools: Schools of Business, Humanities, Engineering and Science, which in turn are Regional Technical Colleges Act, 1992 and 1994. further divided into Departments to provide courses/programmes of study to students. Each School has a Head of School and relevant Heads of Department. Ex-Officio Members as per Section 4 of the 1992 Act Mr. Paul Breen [Chairperson Section 2(a)] President Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin [Director, Section 2(b)] Registrar Dr. Joseph Ryan Secretary/Financial Controller Mr. John McKenna Governing Body Members as per Section 4 of the 1994 Act Head of School of Business Mr. Eoin Langan Head of Department Professional Accountancy, Under Section 4(1)(a) and (b) Financial Services and Business Computing Mr. Brendan Doyle Cllr. Jim Henson Head of Department of Business and Management Studies Mr. Owen Ross Cllr. Orla Leyden Head of School of Humanities Dr. Marian Fitzgibbon Cllr. Jarlath Mc Donagh Head of Department of Humanities Mr. Oliver Hegarty Mr. Edward Mc Evoy Head of Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Studies Mr. John O’Hara Ms. Mary Toher Head of School of Engineering Dr. Austin Hanley Cllr. Gabrielle Mc Fadden Head of Department of Civil, Construction and Mineral Engineering Mr. Fergal Sweeney Under Section 4(1)(c) Head of Department of Mechanical, Mechatronics, Software and Mr. Kevin Mc Loughlin until September 2013 Electronic Engineering Mr. Marcus Rahilly Dr. Marc Cashin from October 2013 Head of Department of Mechanical and Ms. Brigid Delamere Polymer Engineering and Trades Mr. Joe Lawless Head of School of Science Vacant Under Section 4(1)(d) Head of Department of Life and Physical Sciences Dr. Don Faller Ms. June Daly Head of Department of Nursing and Health Sciences Dr. Pearse Murphy Under Section 4(1)(e) Director of Research Mr. Paul Killeen Mr. Daniel Coulter Marketing and Communications Manager Mr. Brian Lynch Ms. Michaela Hannick Head of Department of Lifelong Learning Dr. Michael Tobin Academic Affairs & Student Administration Manager Ms. Jackie Farrell Under Section 4(1)(f) Ms. Dympna Fitzgerald Mr. Joseph LaCumbre acting from February 2014 Under Section 4(1)(g) Finance Manager Ms. Betty Buckley Ms. Breda Crehan-Roche Human Resources Manager Mr. Liam Brennan Ms. Yvonne Kennedy Librarian Ms. Josephine Corkery Mr. Liam Rhatigan Information Technology Manager Mr. Rossa Coleman Ms. Natasha Kinsella Estates Manager Mr. Cormac Cloonan Mr. Fergal Lynam External Services Manager Ms. Helen Fitzsimons /Ms. Lorna Walsh Director of International Relations Ms. Mary Simpson Secretary to the Governing Body Student Services Manager Ms. Sarah La Cumbre Mr. John Mc Kenna

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3.1 Academic Council and support staff that ensures we are Membership delivering the best possible education Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin (Chair), for our students. That’s what AIT is Dr. Joseph Ryan, Mr. Paul Killeen, about – giving people the knowledge Mr. Eoin Langan, Dr. Austin Hanley, and skills to enable them reach their 03 Dr. Marian Fitzgibbon, Dr. Don Faller, potential and go on to enjoy career and Academic Dr. Pearse Murphy, Ms. Jo Corkery, life success.” Ms. Cora Mc Cormack, Ms. Sarah Staff and La Cumbre, Mr. Brendan Doyle, The National Forum for Mr. Marcus Rahilly, Mr. John O’Hara, the Enhancement of Teaching Student Affairs Dr. Michael Tobin, Dr. Marc Cashin, and Learning Mr. Tom O’Donoghue, Ms. Brenda The National Forum which was Reilly, Mr. Anthony Commins, Mr. Jim launched by the Minister for Education Mc Namara, Mr. Denis McCarthy, and Skills, Ruairi Quinn, T.D., is the Mr. Kevin Mc Loughlin, Ms. Dympna key system-level infrastructure for Scanlon, Ms. Marie O’Halloran, the enhancement of teaching and Dr. Noreen Morris, MS. Beatrice Moran, learning in Irish higher education, Dr. Concepta Brougham, Mr. Daniel and for the implementation of the Coulter, Mr. Andrew Slevin, Mr. Sumit recommendations of the National Dawar, Mr. Thomas Berry Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 in this area. These recommendations include providing all students with the 3.2 Academic Developments highest quality teaching and learning 3.2.1 General experience; integrating research with Athlone Institute of Technology was teaching and learning; enhancing the runner-up institute of technology the first-year experience of students in The Sunday Times Good University through the provision of more Guide 2014. broad-based, interdisciplinary curricula; enhancing the flexibility of programme AIT jumped seven places in this year’s provision; and strengthening the focus table and now ranks eleventh overall on learning outcomes to ensure that all The Academic Council and fourth among the institutes of graduates acquire the key transferable is the Statutory Body technology. The past year has seen a skills and core competences that are virtual doubling of research income needed in the economy and society of appointed by the to €6.4 million, with the Applied the twenty-first century. These priorities Governing Body to assist Polymer Technologies Ireland research are also informing the build of the new in planning, centre among the beneficiaries. The strategic plan within AIT. centre aims to build on AIT’s record co-ordinating, developing in polymer research and to develop The National Forum launched its and overseeing the products which feed into the medical Student–Led Teaching Awards academic/educational and pharmaceutical industries. Sports with many of the student unions/ “the institute’s excellent activities of the Institute. facilities – and athletics in particular – representatives in different Higher performance this year is have also seen a major investment with Education institutions nationally recognition of the The Academic Council, the opening of the International Arena encouraging students to nominate their hard work and its sub-committees, last February. ‘Teaching Hero’. This is proposed as and commitment of our protect, maintain and the first phase of what will be an staff team” AIT president, Prof. Ciarán Ó Catháin, emerging series of awards. Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin develop academic welcomed the news, saying “the standards throughout the institute’s excellent performance this AIT submitted three proposals under Institute, and advise the year is recognition of the hard work and the National Seminars scheme around Governing Body on all commitment of our staff team. We have the enhancement theme of the Forum invested significantly in our campus ‘Teaching for Transitions’. relevant matters relating infrastructure, but it is the entire to academic standards. team of academics, administration

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AIT successful proposals access and progression opportunities for “Let’s not reinvent the wheel: lessons further education and training students learned from the Student Transition and into higher education. Retention STAR - Project” Professor Mark Davies, Professor of Bioscience, Academic registrar at AIT, Dr Joseph University of Sunderland who was Ryan, welcomed the agreement, a member of the STAR project team saying that: “This agreement reflects led by Professor Tony Cook from the the institute’s strategic commitment University of Ulster. to meaningful engagement with our education partners, and specifically to “The Flipped Classroom - facilitating enhancing progression opportunities the transition to Blended Learning” from further to higher education. While Professor Grainne Conole, Director this reflects the national agenda, AIT of Learning Innovation, University of has been to the fore in facilitating this Leicester and Professor Mark Brown transition, which ultimately supports the recently appointed as Director of the agenda of lifelong learning.” National Institute of Digital Learning, DCU, Dr Bryan Mc Cabe of NUIG. Dr Christy Duffy, chief executive of LWETB, stated: “This is a wonderful “Universal Design in Learning - building opportunity for students doing PLC the pathway to the diverse classroom” courses with Longford and Westmeath Facilitated by an international ETB to get access to a range of degree expert and a representative from programmes in AIT. Recognising the the Irish Council for International importance of mature students to both Students (ICOS). institutions, the parties have agreed to put in place dedicated supports for Signing of Agreement with mature learners. Longford Westmeath Education and Training Board Students in Westmeath and Longford will benefit from a new cooperation “this agreement agreement signed between Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) and reflects the Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB). Under institute’s strategic the terms of the agreement, AIT has committed to assisting in the design, commitment development and monitoring of specific Post-Leaving Certificate programmes to meaningful to be provided by AIT in conjunction with LWETB. The agreement establishes engagement with our a formal linkage between both institutions, which will enhance the education partners”

Dr Joseph Ryan on signing of Education Agreement

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3.2.2 School of Business 3.2.3 School of Humanities The Business School welcomed forty The School together with Midland four Italian students from Politecnico Simon hosted an international di Torino into year 2 of the Higher conference on Housing First. Certificate in Business and twenty six into the Bachelor of Business (Honours) The School is engaging with a range of Year 4 programmes. organisations in the disability sector to consider an approach to opening HSBC donated €3,000 to support third level opportunities for people Business students via the Access with disabilities. programme under the umbrella of their Corporate Sustainability Committee. MA student Ms. Maria Glynn presented HSBC recognise that the burden a paper entitled ‘The Obligation to of college fees, cost of living, and Protect and Assist Victims of Human other relevant expenses are placing Trafficking’ at an international a huge financial burden on students, conference in Switzerland. Maria’s leading some to drop out of third level research is being supervised by Dr. Chris education completely. Based on this Mc Dermott and Dr. Sheila McGree. fact, HSBC have made funds available to aid students in keeping their A pilot initiative between course educational aspirations on track, and lecturers and the RTÉ Sports Pictured Above: to achieve their dreams of a degree. Department resulted in Niall O’Flynn, AIT students recieving Senior Editor/Producer and Ray HSBC scholarship cheques Donoghue, Manager of On-Line Back row: Mr Eoin AIT’s Entrepreneurship Academy – Sport at RTÉ delivering two engaging Langan, Head of Business InnovAIT School; Peter O’Neill; Mr Ms Lorraine Murphy recently visited lectures to students on “Working Brendan Doyle, Head of CCI – Chernobyl Children International with the media”. Successful Department of Accounting headquarters in Cork where the CEO and Business Computing; Ms Adi Roche spent an afternoon Students from the Spa & Wellness Mr Owen Ross, Head of providing mentoring and coaching Management programme organised pilot Department of Business Lorraine in advance of the launch of a Holistic Health Day event. The day Studies; Colm Gorry her new charitable organisation:- ONE - was a great success, with a broad initiative Front row: Fr Shay Casey, Our New Ear, which will support both range of small, medium and large AIT Chaplain; Jessica parents and children in preparation businesses represented in the field of Nevican; Orla Devlin; for and implementation of ocular health, wellness and complementary between Aisling Heneghan; Lee implants. Adi and her staff were highly therapies. The students produced a McNamara supportive and provided considerable professional, organised and well run course documentation and processes to help event, representing themselves and with the smooth transition from start-up the institute admirably. The event to functioning organisation, benefitting necessitated co-operation between lecturers from 35 years of CCI’s experience. several departments and lecturers in order to set linked assessments, make and the Dr Marc Cashin, who accompanied available facilities & equipment, Lorraine and met with Adi, noted that produce food, smoothies & water the information and assistance provided and so much more. The result was a RTÉ Sports by Adi and her team was invaluable, truly authentic learning experience for particularly at this critical point in the students, linking every module of Pictured Left: advance of the launch of ONE. their programme. Department Dr Marian Fitzgibbon, AIT and Dr Sam Tsemberis, CEO of Pathways to Housing attending the Midlands Simon Community Housing First Conference

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science week

3.2.4 School of Science The Annual Midland Regional Science Lynam told of his UN experiences; the SFI Discover Science Week 2013 Quiz was also held. This was the scientific, engineering and humanitarian A wide range of well supported Midlands Regional heat of the National challenges facing war-torn regions activities and lectures took place in the Science Table Quiz, coordinated where the Engineering Corps is School of Science at AIT during a very nationally by the Irish Science Teachers deployed. Sgt. Major Lynam is a land successful National Science Week 2013. Association (ISTA) for secondary school mines expert with the Irish Defense The aim of Science Week is to promote students studying the pillar science Forces and also a graduate from the relevance of science, technology, subjects of Biology, Chemistry and AIT’s BSc in Environmental Health & engineering and maths in our everyday Physics. 21 teams competed from across Safety Management. lives and to demonstrate their the Midlands. Our Lady’s Bower Athlone importance to the future development won first prize. BSc in Dental Practice Management of Irish society and to the economy. students had the opportunity to visit The theme for this year’s Science 125 pupils from local primary schools local national schools. They gave a talk Week was “The XTRAordinary in the were invited to a demonstration called in a number of different interactive ordinary”. Some of the science week ‘Fantastic Furry & Freaky Friends’. stations, encouraging and receiving activities included: PetWorld Athlone brought along a participation from the children. The selection of exotic reptiles for the stations were broadly divided into Over 270 pupils from 9 primary schools children to see and gave a talk about two oral hygiene areas and two sugar in the Athlone region attended an physiological differences between stands. The oral hygiene area involved excellent Science Circus performance predator and prey, and caring for the a flossing demonstration with a plaque and were entertained by and informed needs of each. Gillian Couglan RVN test performed on the children to about the science behind circus acts like gave an overview of responsible pet highlight area of the mouth requiring juggling and unicycles. Dr Ken Farahar care, with the assistance of her 80 kg better brushing. The sugar station from the Inspirational Science Theatre Newfoundland, Tyson. Seamus McCann involved the children distributing food Company based in Norwich in the UK followed with an energetic talk on the correctly over a 12 hour period to took the primary school students on environmental impact of bee-keeping. avoid ‘acid attacks’. a voyage of discovery investigating how performers make use of many Sgt. Major Tommy Lynam from the Engineering Corps of the Irish Defense scientific principles in their tricks and Pictured from top Left-Right stunts. During the three shows, the Forces conducted a demonstration students found out why jugglers love on Land Mines followed by a lecture Seamus McCann demonstrates the control of bees with the help of Dr. Chris McCormack. gravity, how clowns use science to avoid on problems with the removal of land Sgt. Major Tommy Lynam, Engineering Corps of the Irish Defence Forces conducts a demonstration on landmines. hurting themselves and why unicyclists mines in former Yugoslavia. Using need to keep moving to stay still. real-life props and images, Sgt. Major 1st place – Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone. L to R: Dr Brian Murphy (AIT), Susan Obaseki, Dr Don Faller (AIT), Aileen Digby, Mary Diffley and Mr Stephen Digby (Teacher)

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two papers

presented at 3.2.5 School of Engineering Environmental Systems which was The School of Engineering was The departments of electronics, held from the 22-27 September successful in gaining Engineers Ireland the 8th computer & software engineering and in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Burke, N., Accreditation (Associate Engineer) Conference on mechanical engineering hosted Greene, M., Dimache, L. and Lohan, for the Bachelor of Science in a workshop with their newly appointed J., (2013), “An Extensive Experimental Network Management programme. Sustainable external examiners. The workshop Characterisation of a Horizontal The accreditation is awarded to aimed to bring them up to speed on Collector Ground Source Heat Pump students from 2010/2011 onwards to Development the programmes for which they had System in Ireland’s Cool Marine 2017/2018. responsibility, the individual modules Climate”, 8th Conference of Energy, and to discuss academic and industrial on Sustainable Development of Hongtao Yu completed 6 months as a trends in the relevant domains. Energy, Water and Environmental visiting lecturer within the department Water and The parents evening for 1st year Systems, Dubrovnik, Croatia, 22-27 of mechanical engineering. This is engineering students was held for September, 2013.Greene, M., Lohan, J., part of a programme of collaboration Environmental the 7th successive year in the school and Burke, N., (2013), “Ground Source (academic exchange) between AIT Systems of engineering. Approximately 70 Heat Pumps with Horizontal Collectors and ECIT that will see mechanical parents attended and they were given – A Literature Review and Rationale for engineering students transfer from Dubrovnik, a guided tour in addition to specific Further Analysis”, 8th Conference ECIT to attend bachelor of engineering discipline talks. on Sustainable Development of programmes within that discipline. Croatia Energy, Water and Environmental Dr Niall Burke and Dr. Michael Systems, Dubrovnik, Croatia, 22-27 Greene presented two papers at September, 2013. the 8th Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and

3.2.6 Department of Lifelong Learning

The Department announced a series of ACCA prize winners in the June 2013 ACCA Accounting Technician papers as follows:

Name Paper Irish Placing World Placing

Roslyn McDonnell FA1 - Recording Financial Transactions 1st 1st

Maria Higgins FA1 - Recording Financial Transactions 2nd 4th

Ruth Groves FA1 - Recording Financial Transactions Joint 3rd Joint 5th

Paula Nestor FA1 - Recording Financial Transactions Joint 3rd Joint 5th

Roslyn McDonnell FA2 - Maintaining Financial Records 2nd 7th

Roslyn McDonnell MA1 - Management Information 1st 5th

Roslyn McDonnell MA2 - Managing Costs and Finance 3rd 12th

Jennifer Daniel FAU - Foundations in Audit (INT) 2nd 7th

Mary Noonan FAU - Foundations in Audit (INT) 3rd 13th

Jennifer Daniel FTX - Foundations in Tax (IRL) Joint 1st Joint 3rd

Mary Noonan FTX - Foundations in Tax (IRL) Joint 1st Joint 3rd

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3.3 Courses Approvals

COURSE TITLE DEPARTMENT OF LIFE LONG LEARNING Certificate in Social Media Applications and Sales Level 6 (60 credits)1 year P.T Certificate in the Fundamentals of Social Media Applications and E-Business Level 6 Certificate in Marketing, Sales Theory and Practice Level 6 (35 credits) returning to Certificate in Fundamentals of Project Management Level 6 (20 credits) learning Certificate in Psychology Level 6 (20 credits) Certificate in Constitutional and Family Law Level 6 (20 credits) Certificate in Contract and Employment Law Level 6 (20 credits)

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING BSc in Software Development (Mobile Apps and Connected Devices) Level 7 Certificate in Polymer Technology for Medical Devices (Springboard) SPA

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS Master of Business Studies in Applied Business Practice with embedded awards as follows : The Department has continued to Gallery after attending some sessions of Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Business Practice Minor Awards in Master of Business in Advanced Business Practice be successful in the new initiative the ‘Introduction to Oil Painting’ class as Bachelor of Business in Digital Marketing Level 7 (1 year add-on) launched earlier this year to assist the delivered by Ms Non Waters. Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Business, Social Enterprise and Community Development (add-on) adult learner ‘return to learning’. The initiative is titled ‘Take the First Step The Department published and SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES with our part-funded Return to Learning subsequently launched the part-time BA in Early Years' Care and Education Level 7 Programmes’, where students may prospectus and flyer at the Kilbeggan Pictured Below BA in Graphic Design Level 7 Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin, attend one of either: Racecourse on Friday May 16th. Mairead McGuiness MEP and • Learning to Learn Dr Michael Tobin, at the launch at Kilbeggan Racecourse. • Assertiveness and Self Confidence

Pictured Below Right The Department of Lifelong Learning Maria Slevin, Jenny Cooper, held an art exhibition in the Glasson Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin, Art Gallery from 27th January to 10th Mary Guildford, Caroline Burke, Dr Michael Tobin and Alan Kelly, at the February. The exhibition was hosted launch at Kilbeggan Racecourse. by Mr.Stephen Mitchell owner of the

20 21 3.4.2 Number of Students Registered by Course Level as at 1st March 2014 Level No. of Students 3.4 Student Statistics FETAC Advanced Certificate 201 A brief summary of student statistics is given. Foundation (Undergraduate) 29 Masters Research (Postgraduate) 76 3.4.1 Central Applications Office (CAO) Masters Taught (Postgraduate) 219 Preferences PhD (Postgraduate) 13 Central Applications Office (CAO) Preferences Postgraduate Diploma 94 The Central Applications Office (CAO) Postgraduate Occasional 32 processes applications centrally for admission Professional Training Qualification (Undergraduate) 167 to undergraduate courses in member Undergraduate Certificate 1239 institutions of third-level education. Undergraduate Diploma 10 The statistics for entry to Athlone Institute Undergraduate General Degree 1359 of Technology in September 2013 were Undergraduate Honours Degree 1685 as follows: Undergraduate Occasional 171 Grand Total 5295 All Preferences1 20,552 First Preferences2 4,209 3.4.3 Number of Students Registered by Course mode as at 1st March 2014 Acceptances (net)3 1,239 Registered4 1,073 Level Full-time Part-time Total Postgraduate 258 176 434 1 Total number of preference mentions of Undergraduate* 3866 995 4861 Athlone Institute of Technology in the total CAO preference list. Grand Total 4124 1171 5295 2 Number of CAO applicants ranking a *Undergraduate part-time figures includes 173 Apprentices course at Athlone Institute of Technology as their first choice. 3.4.4 Number of Full-Time Students Registered by School at 1st March 2014 3 The number of acceptances of CAO offers for a place at Athlone Institute of School Fulltime Parttime Total Technology, that are not superceeded by Business School 1119 121 1240 an offer elsewhere. Dept of Lifelong Learning 568 568 4 The number of students offered a place Engineering 849 323 1172 at Athlone Institute of Technology by the Humanities & Hospitality 1083 73 1156 CAO who actually took up their place at Science 1073 86 1159 the Institute. Grand Total 4124 1171 5295

3.4.5 Gender Balance of Full-Time Registered Students School Male Female Total Business School 588 652 1240 Dept of Lifelong Learning 240 328 568 Engineering 1083 89 1172 Humanities & Hospitality 408 748 1156 Science 328 831 1159 Grand Total 2647 2648 5295

3.4.6 Conferred Awards (Graduation Ceremony November 2014)

Category of Award No. of Students % Level 6 (Full Awards) 516 24.4 Level 7 (Full Awards) 462 21.8 Level 8(Full Awards) 577 27.3 Level 9 138 6.5 Level 10 5 0.3 Other 417 19.7

TOTAL 2,115 100

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3.4.7 Domiciliary Origin of Students 3.4.8 Reasons for Withdrawal of Enrolled on Full-Time Courses Students Enrolled on Full-Time Courses

The catchment area normally associated Each year a significant number of students with the Institute includes Counties leave the Institute without completing their Westmeath, Offaly, Longford, Withdrawal Code |Total Count |Reason examinations. The following is an analysis Roscommon (south) and Galway (east). of the reasons given by students for This chart shows the break-down of 14 leaving the course 01 Employment domicilliary origin of students attending the Institute. 03 02 Apprenticeship 10 03 Other IT/University 02 04 Other Third Level College 01 05 To Repeat Leaving Certificate 453 roscommon 25 334 06 Financial Reasons longford

1133 01 westmeath 07 PLC/NCVA - training course 620 galway 02 08 Other

742 56 offaly 09 Not Declared 18 10 Medical

1442 55 rest of ireland 11 Did not like course/not suited

3.4.9 The Number of Students availing of European Social Fund (ESF), Local European - EU Members (excl Ireland) 177 5295 Authority and other Grants/Awards European - Non EU Members 11 administered by the Institute is International (Excl Europe) 383 total contained in Appendix I

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continuing recipients LAOIS Aisling Kehoe Ladies Gaelic Football new recipients sports KILDARE LEITRIM Niall O’Connor Handball John Mulligan Gaelic Football scholarships Cathal McCarron Athletics Colm Gorry Rugby new recipients new recipients LONGFORD Darren Farely Gaelic Football CAVAN LIMERICK ROSCOMMON Timothy Jackson Gaelic Football Stephen McManus Gaelic Football Niall O’Brien Hurling Garvan Broughall Soccer Kieran Kilcline Gaelic Football Stephen Flynn Gaelic Football MAYO 3.5 Student Achievements CLARE LEITRIM Rachael Timothy Women’s Soccer Sam McCormack Rugby Roisín Howley Ladies Gaelic Football Shane Quinn Gaelic Football Ciaran O’Reilly Soccer Craig Reddin Soccer Cathal McElgunn Athletics Nigel Kelly Gaelic Football 3.5.1 Sports Scholarships Leanne Boyle Women’s Soccer MEATH Robert Casidy Boxing Brian McGovern Rugby In 1996 the Institute introduced LONGFORD WESTMEATH Colm O’Reilly Rugby a Sports Scholarship Scheme Sean Flannery Soccer Ian Sweeney Soccer for students who had reached GALWAY Aisling Cosgrove Womens Soccer Callum Boland Rugby or had the potential to reach a Jason Lyons Soccer Mark Dolan Rugby OFFALY very high level of performance in Thomas Fallon Cycling Ricky Dixon Rugby Laurence O’Reilly Athletics their chosen sport. The generous Cathal Evans Rugby Laura Kiernan Ladies Gaelic Football Kelley Cunningham Ladies Gaelic Football sponsorship of industry and the MAYO continuing recipients Eoghan Kerin Gaelic Football David Timlin Boxing David Brookes Soccer sporting organisations in making Junior Iyawe Soccer Sean Dempsey Rugby this scheme possible is greatly Craig Hansberry Rugby Bryan Teape Rugby CAVAN ROSCOMMON appreciated by the Institute. James Birch Gaelic Football MEATH Jamie Fitzsimons Hurling Grace Reilly Ladies Gaelic Football Cathal Shine Gaelic Football Leah Philips Women’s Soccer Michael Kierney Gaelic Football Ellen Taite Ladies Gaelic Football The recipients of Athlone Institute Sinead Tuohy Athletics Darragh Rennicks Athletics Sam Moran Gaelic Football of Technology Sports Scholarships Sadhbh Gavin Hockey Harry Hester Rugby Deirdre Barry Camogie DUBLIN WESTMEATH for 2013/2014 were: Catriona Daly Camogie James Andrews Hurling John Travers Athletics Kieran Martin Gaelic Football Gary McDonnell Kickboxing Ger Egan Gaelic Football Malachy McDonnell Kickboxing WICKLOW James Dolan Gaelic Football Darragh Maher Rugby MONAGHAN Gavin Weir Hurling GALWAY Alan Coffey Gaelic Football Killian Rudden Gaelic Football Emma Curley Ladies Gaelic Football Luke Corless Gaelic Football Martin Staunton Rugby Stephen Relihan Soccer Daniel Cunningham Soccer Kelly Boyce Jordan Ladies Gaelic Football OFFALY TJ Forde Soccer Brendan Fagan Rugby Sean Moriarty Gaelic Football Shaunagh Jackson Women’s Soccer Vincent Connolly Athletics Liam Brady Athletics Dan Cunningham Soccer Aoife McCarthy Handball Peter O’Neill Rugby Bryan Dixon Rugby Sean Carroll Hurling Ronan Coyle Athletics Sean Donegan Athletics Regina Dolan Athletics WEXFORD Jason Donegan Athletics Conor George Wilson Athletics Peter Ryan Rugby Martin Lyons Rugby KERRY Cillian Fitzgerald Gaelic Football WICKLOW Josh O’Rourke Rugby KILKENNY Ben Porter Rugby Louise Holmes Athletics

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sports staff awards activities

3.6 Staff Activities Dr. Enda Fallon and Dr. Brian Lee Patricia Heavey presented a paper received funding of €100,000 to “Parents’ attitudes and acceptability undertake a collaborative Enterprise of anthropometric measurement of Irish Ireland sponsored Innovation school children” at the Nutrition Society Partnership project with Touchpoint meeting (Irish section), June 2013. media from Dublin. Familial intergenerational and maternal aggregation patterns in nutrient intakes Dr. Enda Fallon was invited to become in the Lifeways Cross-Generation a Technical Programme Committee Cohort Study. Shrivastava A, Murrin 3.5.2 Sports Awards Winners: (TPC) member for the IEEE International C, Sweeney Mr, Heavey P, Kelleher CC The Annual Sports Award ceremony was held in April and the Conference on Communications (ICC) (2013) Public Health Nutrition following were the awardees on the night. Multimedia Communications and 16(8): 1476-86 for collaborative Services Workshop. Martin Nolan Mens Athletics Parents’ attitudes and acceptability of Sinead Tuohy Womens Athletics anthropometric measurement of Irish Enterprise Ireland Davide Abrigo Mens Basketball Dr Andy Fogarty was invited to the school children. Heavey P, McMahon O, Annemarie Feeney Womens Basketball University of Applied Science, Emden/ Bláthaid Keogh Senior Camogie Leer, Germany, 40th Anniversary McConnon A et al (2013) Proceedings sponsored project Faye O’Connor Equestrian celebrations in recognition of his of the Nutrition Society 72; E144 Kieran Martin Senior Gaelic Football teaching an Environmental Technology with Dublin’s Jordy Cassidy Intermediate Gaelic Football module at Emden/Leer for the past 12 Kieran Kilcline Freshers Gaelic Football years. As part of his visit Dr Fogarty Touchpoint media Grace Reilly Senior Ladies Gaelic Football gave a guest seminar on Roisín Howley Freshers Ladies Gaelic Football “In-Vivo Assessment of Environmental Cathriona Daly Hockey Pollutants” to faculty and students. Killian Murphy Senior Hurling Andrew Moran Freshers Hurling In addition Dr Fogarty initiated and Brendan Fagan Senior Rugby chaired a research group from several Gavin Murray Seconds XV Rugby European colleges with a view to Shawn Chitsatso Freshers Rugby tendering for European research Garvan Broughall Mens Soccer – 1st Team funding under the Horizon 2020 and Ciaran O’Reilly Mens Soccer – 2nd Team Water JPI research initiatives. Jonathan Polsinelli Mens Soccer – 3rd Team Jeovan Araujo Mens Soccer – 4th Team Annie Dolan Womens Soccer Michelle Cregg Freshers Womens Soccer Arnoud Charmasson Futsal Gabriele Grosso Mens Volleyball Martina Lorenzin Womens Volleyball

28 29 Annual Report 2013 - 2014

3.7 Sports Activities member of AIT’s senior football team 3.8 Student Services coordinator, Anne Cooney, continued creating the art work on the day. The Some of the major sporting and played on the team that reached The Student Resource Centre continues to develop positive links with process was recorded in a time lapse achievements by Institute teams and the semi-final of the Irish Daily Mail to work closely with the Students’ stakeholder organisations both locally video which was shared on social media individuals throughout 2013/2014 are Sigerson Cup in 2013. AIT sport and Union and colleagues across the and nationally. and the resulting art work was part of sports detailed in Appendix II. recreation manager, Gordon Brett, Institute in support of students and an exhibit in Athlone’s Luan Gallery in said that he was “delighted” for both AIT’s ongoing commitment to a positive The student based alcohol phone March 2014. AIT football heroes reached for the students. “Obviously, we are going to student experience and student app project, sponsored by the Midland activities stars when two business students at miss Dan from our own team, but this retention and progression. Regional Drugs task force (MRDTF) Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) is a fantastic opportunity for him and involved students from the design were recognised for the quality of we wish him every success in Australia,” Sadly the department bid farewell to department and computer engineering their footballing prowess. Second year he said. “Killian is one of the stalwarts our friend and colleague, Disability department. The Midland Regional business student, Daniel Flynn signed of AIT’s senior football team,” Mr Brett Officer Patricia Kearney, who passed Drugs task force (MRDTF) are the a two-year deal with Aussie Rules continued. “He played a key role in our away on Sept. 27th 2013. In Trish’s partners in this project and will use side Port Adelaide. Daniel is the first Sigerson campaign and had a fantastic memory the Assistive Technology Centre and promote this app to provide international rookie to be signed by Port year with Cavan. The All-Stars represent was renamed in her honour and the updated health promotional Adelaide and will be mentored by Tadhg the cream of Irish footballing talent, and new annual Patricia Kearney Memorial information on alcohol. Kennelly during his time down under. to be nominated to that elite group is a Award was initiated with the first award wonderful honour.” to take place for the class of 2014 at Healthy Campus, the GAA, the Cavan hero, Killian Clarke, who is the October Graduation Ceremony; Students’ Union and the Sports studying on the third year of the may she rest in peace. Department came together to involve Port Adelaide Senior Coach Ken Hinkley Bachelor of Business (Hons) degree, students in the Off the booze, on the talks to Daniel Flynn during a Port Adelaide was nominated on the 2013 GAA GPA The department welcomed the much Ball challenge which was run by the Power media conference to announce that Football All-Stars. Killian, who plays needed appointment of a second GAA in previous years through the clubs Daniel Flynn has signed with the Power as an corner back for Cavan, is also a key full-time counsellor, Helen Carberry. and which encourages participants international rookie, at Etihad Stadium on The throughput of students helped to abstain from alcohol over a four 3 October 2013. by the Counselling Service increased week period. Many departments (Photo: Lachlan Cunningham/AFL Media) significantly in Semester 2 2013/14 in the college came together to due to her presence. It also allowed promote the message by developing for other valuable services and policy events, challenges and activities that development tasks to be undertaken. do not include alcohol in a starring role. Examples included the Sports A new evaluation, audit and outcome Department running with goal scoring benchmarking system for psychological competitions, crossbar challenges, the therapy services, CORE (Clinical Movie society showing movies, the Outcomes in Routine Evaluation) was Debating society running debates with utilised since September 2013. This has event related topics. There were cookery proven very beneficial in providing a demonstrations, mindfulness sessions, standardised, robust tool to monitor the art projects and many more. waiting list and prioritise high distress/ high risk students. A mental health conference entitled Wellness 3 - Be well, Get well, Stay The Institute Nurse provided free well ran in February in partnership blood pressure screening to staff at with Mental Health Ireland. There the end of semester 2. Attendance were presentations across a variety of and feedback from staff was very themes including the effect of alcohol/ positive with enormous interest and substances on the immature brain, demand for further screening, health mental health and sport, an overview and well-being clinics. of how AIT supports the Mental Health needs of students, and recovery and The HSC funded Healthy Campus return to work/study following mental project forged ahead with promoting health illness. A socially engaged art and providing opportunity for the work was created on the day. The campus community to engage in ‘Crowded Room AIT’ event was led by positive health initiatives and learning Artist Tim Mann and 764 students and opportunities. Our project visitors to the campus participated in 30 30 31 Annual Report 2013 - 2014 Materials

The highly successful EU Interreg MIDLANDS INNOVATION AND looking for, offering vouchers for locals Sharebiotech project was completed, RESEARCH CENTRE (MIRC) and visitors and keeping users up to Research where BRI is now recognised as a The MIRC at AIT provides incubation date on what’s on and where to go. designated Technology Core Facility facilities for innovative and knowledge- Institute 04 (TCF) for these specialist areas and based enterprise, delivers the New Equiniche – Innovative solutions for techniques in the North Atlantic region. Frontiers entrepreneur development the care of Horses Research & This was a complex rewarding project programme for start-ups, and makes MIRC client Equiniche Sciences - in awarded comprising 8 EU academic partners available the resources and expertise of collaboration with AIT’s Centre for Developmental spanning 3 years (www.sharebiotech. AIT to support client companies Industrial Services and Design supported net). ShareBiotech notably aims at and enterprise in the region and by Enterprise Ireland Innovation €350,000 Activities making the access to technological beyond. Working in partnership with Vouchers developed a new way core facilities easier for companies – in Enterprise Ireland, the MIRC has of feeding horses in training – the particular SMEs – working in the fields incubated and supported 123 start- Harmony Equine Feeder. Dr Michelle of human health, nutrition, agriculture/ ups to date – including 15 Enterprise O’Connor had a concept for a hay food-processing, cosmetics, marine Ireland High Potential Start Ups. MIRC feeder that would enable horses in a biology and environment. clients have undertaken over €2m stabled routine to eat at ground level in collaborative research with AIT to and throughout the day - thereby The Software Research Institute (SRI) develop their technologies. solving physiological and behavioural won an Innovation Partnership from problems associated with intermittent Enterprise Ireland to work with the MIRC Clients at Enterprise Ireland feeding and eating in an unnatural largest Irish software company Openet HPSU Class of 2013 Event position. The Harmony Hayfeeder to develop intelligent solutions for MIRC client companies were showcased was launched onto the Irish market communications network management. at Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential at the Equus Live Exhibition held in Openet is the world leader in the field Start Up Class of 2013 event. The HPSU Punchestown in November where it of telecommunications policy and client companies included: won the inaugural Innovation Award. charging management and delivers 4.1 Research Activities products to large communications • Sweepovac - a self-contained Research Institutes providers customers such as Vodafone, vacuum device developed in The Bioscience Research Institute (BRI) Verizon and Telefonica. In addition to collaboration with AIT’s Centre for continues to evolve in line with the the Openet win SRI was also awarded Industrial Services & Design. strategic RI&E needs of AIT and its’ grants to conduct a feasibility study for • Cato Manufacturing - a superior stakeholders. This is both reflected and cloud based TV delivery and to research chafing dish burner. captured through the core domains of use of computer vision and natural user • Moqom - a participant start-up smart specialization namely; health, interfaces in the retail sector. on AIT’s Enterprise Programme agri-food and marine, pharma/ in 2010 - cloud-based fraud biopharma and the environment. The The Materials Research Institute prevention solutions. BRI continues to act as important (MRI) was awarded €350,000 in the • Simteractive - develops casual conduit to facilitate staff, postgraduate Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation simulation games for the mobile students and postdoctoral researchers Fund Call. The innovative research games market. across the School of Science in tandem study led by Dr. Luke Geever (Senior • JoshCPD - Continuous Professional with vibrant successful partnership Researcher, Materials Research Development solutions using with sister Materials (MRI) and Institute) and involves the upcycling smartphone technology developed Software (SRI) Research Institutes. of Mixed Plastics Waste via several in collaboration with AIT’s Software This provides a critical function in unique processing steps and the study Research Institute. terms of supporting and guiding the is entitled: ‘Mixed Plastics Waste as a important nexus between research Valuable Resource: High value - new TownApps – connecting with local and knowledge exchange that informs products from old plastics waste services in Athlone our teaching. The BRI is focused on (Eco-MixPlas)’. In collaboration with AIT’s Software enhancing strategic inter-university Research Institute and supported by and IoT collaborative arrangements The Materials Research Institute Enterprise Ireland Innovation Vouchers, with a strong emphasis placed on was also successful in the IOTI 2013 MIRC client TownApps developed sustaining, growing and forging new Postgraduate Scholarship Initiative, with mobile applications, which connect partnerships in the aforementioned a project involving the development of people with their local town, making it smart specialization areas. novel drug delivery systems. easier for visitors to find what they are

32 33 Annual Report 2013 - 2014

5.1 Student Mobility A total of 181 European students studied at Athlone Institute of Technology during the academic year 2013/2014. The number of European countries represented is continually on the increase. The International Office at the Institute, under the management of Ms. Mary Simpson, provides a focal point for the students where all their queries are dealt with in a professional manner. 05 Student Inward Flow International from EU Countries

Origin Student Nos Links ______Belgium 04 Finland 03 France 47 Germany 11 Italy 62 Poland 16 Spain 21 Switzerland 03 Turkey 09 Czech Republic 01 Netherlands 01 Austria 03 ______Total 181

A major area for development for the Institute in recent years has been the growth number of in the number of Non-EU students studying at the Institute. The Institute is justifiably proud of the services provided to such students and every effort is made to ensure that they adapt to the cultural and economic differences of living and studying in European Ireland. AIT benefitted from receiving 97 students from Brazil to study at the Institute under the Science Without Borders programme. Many of the students studied English countries before progressing to undergraduate studies. During academic year 2013-2014, 344 represented Non-EU students were enrolled at the Institute under the following headings: on the Non-European Union Student Numbers

increase Year Student Nos ______Foundation 12 English 88 Undergraduates 214 Postgraduate taught programmes 13 Postgraduate by Research 17 ______Total 344

34 35 Annual Report 2013 - 2014

Distinguished Fellowship Nicky’s family has a long association On Friday afternoon 24th January 2014, with AIT, with both her father Brendan Nicky the institute conferred a Distinguished and sister Gabrielle, serving on our Fellowship on Nicky McFadden TD. The Governing Body. McFadden ceremony was held in Nicky’s home and was attended by members of her family. Nicky is the eleventh Distinguished awarded Fellow of AIT. The other recipients Nicky served on the Governing Body are former President Mary McAleese, Distinguished 06 of AIT from 2005-2007, when she was Mary O’Rourke, Paddy Cooney, Dr elected to the Seanad. She subsequently Don Panoz, Stephen Grant, Eamonn Fellowship Miscellaneous won a seat in the Dáil in 2011 and is a Coghlan, Mark Rohan, Sonia O’Sullivan, 6.2 Institute Events AIT Hosted European GAA Finals member of the Oireachtas Committee Barry McGuigan and Prof Dato’ International expert points Football teams from across Europe on Education and Social Protection, and Kamarudin Hussein. to radical measures needed to descended on AIT for the European the Oireachtas Committee on Procedure end homelessness in Ireland Gaelic Football Championship Finals. and Privileges. A radical approach to ending Some 70 games in mens and ladies Pictured Below homelessness was outlined at an codes were scheduled for the A graduate of AIT (Diploma in Legal Nicky McFadden TD international conference held in two-day finals, including exotic tussles Studies), Nicky made a significant pictured with Taoiseach the Institute. between The Hague v Jersey Irish, contribution to local government and Enda Kenny Inneoin Zurich v Malmo, and Paris Gaels education through her membership “Homeless people should be offered a v Slovak Shamrocks. and chairmanship of various councils home, as well as a range of supports and bodies. appropriate to their needs, without The European GAA finals is the largest a range of preconditions,” stated Dr event in Westmeath’s celebration of The Sam Tsemberis, keynote speaker at the Gathering and neatly coincides with Housing First conference. Athlone’s designation as a European Town of Sport for 2013. Dr Tsemberis, who is founder and CEO Looking forward to the event Liam Ó of Pathways to Housing, said: “It’s Néill, Uachtarán, Cumann Lúthchleas simple – the solution to homelessness Gael said: “It is an exciting period for is helping people get a home of their the GAA in Europe to reach the climax 6.1 Guests/Visiting Lecturers own.” The Housing First model moves of their season in Ireland. It provides Ms Helen Farrelly dental nurse tutor away from the traditional approach a fantastic opportunity for their Irish Trinity College (TCD) Dental School of using hostel accommodation as a players and non-Irish players to be a attended the Department of Nursing solution to homelessness. The New part of the GAA Gathering celebrations. & Health Science to give a guest lecture York-based organisation has pioneered The promotion, development and on dental nursing to all three years of this approach with dramatic results. enjoyment of our games in Europe is the dental nursing programme. This new model has a strong evidence clear for all to see and I wish all players, base to its work and has proven that teams and officials a warm welcome Mr Frank Jordan, Healthcare Nurse with the right services, even people and the very best of luck in Athlone.” Manager in the Midlands Prison, with multiple needs can move from the AIT President, Prof Ciarán Ó Catháin, Portlaoise, and two of his nursing instability of homelessness to having a noted that it has been a tremendous team, Mr Karl Shelley and Ms Ann home of their own. year for sport at AIT. “In February, we Whitty, held a workshop with 4th year hosted and reached the semi-final of mental health nursing students on The conference which was the Sigerson Cup. That same month Mental Health issues within the Irish organised jointly by the Midlands our new International Arena was Prisons service. Simon Community and Athlone officially opened by the Taoiseach Institute of Technology addressed the and has been in constant use since Mr Nash Patil eminent ENT surgeon and theme of ending homelessness in rural then, hosting a wealth of national and visiting professor from Sligo Regional Ireland. The event, attended by 250 international competitions. And now, Hospital attended the Institute to give delegates, was officially opened by we are delighted to welcome ‘Gaels’ a guest lecture to year 2 audiology Minister for Housing and Planning, from across Europe for this magnificent students on the links between ENT and Jan O’Sullivan TD. exposition of Gaelic football and audiology in the healthcare domain. sporting endeavor,” he said.

36 37 Annual Report 2013 - 2014

and 4.04.40 respectively. Ireland has to in the women’s 400m, winning in a wait a little longer, however, for the first time of 53.87 secs. sub-four minute mile to be achieved in an indoor venue. Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin, said that he was “delighted” with the success Tabarie Henry, the three-time World of the event. “There was a fantastic Olympic finalist in the 400m, proved his worth atmosphere in the arena with people in the Athlone venue coming home in a really looking forward to some decathlon time of 46.81. In the men’s 60m hurdles wonderful competition, which is exactly British athlete Alex Al Ameen set a new what they experienced. This grand prix gold medalist stadium record, romping home in 7.97; is part of a three year development plan while in the women’s 60m hurdles, for the AIT International Arena and we and world Portugal’s Eva Vital also set a new are confident that in 2015 and 2016, stadium record of 8.29 secs. it will become an eagerly anticipated champion, fixture in the international athletics Waterford’s Kelly Proper added to her calendar,” he said. Eaton, wins growing reputation and her haul of medals winning the 60m (7.44) and new stadium the long jump (6.49m), the latter a new stadium record. There was a new record record too in the men’s long jump, set by Pictured Below: Daniel Bramble with 7.71m. Ashton Eaton, centre, on the way to The sixth new stadium record was set winning the men’s 60m event during the by the Scottish sprinter Diane Ramsay AIT International Arena Grand Prix. Pictured Above: Minister for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock TD, is shown blow molding closely with education institutions and by Dr Sean Lyons, APT Gateway Manager industry to provide the right business and Mark Whelan, Enterprise Ireland, at environment for growth.” the opening of the Applied Polymer R&D Centre for €2bn Plastics Technology (APT) Gateway at Athlone Industry Opened in Athlone IT According to APT (Ireland) manager, Institute of Technology (AIT). The Applied Polymer Technology Dr Seán Lyons, “The research centre Picture: Jeff Harvey/HR Photo (APT) Gateway at Athlone Institute of will create practical and pragmatic Technology (AIT), a national research solutions to the problems facing in February to witness a fantastic centre for the €2 billion plastics the plastics industry, which includes night’s athletics which saw six new industry, was opened by Minister sectors as diverse as medical devices, stadium records and the star attractions for Research and Innovation, Seán pharmaceutical, automotive, packaging, Ashton Eaton, Brianne Theisen-Eaton Sherlock TD, as part of an international renewable energy, construction and Tabarie Henry live up to their plastics conference attended by over and recycling. reputations. The Olympic decathlon 100 delegates. gold medalist and world champion, “The APT will provide the plastics Eaton, won the 60m in a new stadium APT (Ireland) is part of an Enterprise industry with access to cutting-edge record at the AIT International Arena, Ireland-funded nationwide network characterisation tools, in addition with a time of 6.69. The American of technology gateways, designed to to pilot scale processing facilities,” could only manage third however in the deliver technology-based solutions for said Dr Lyons. “We have a dedicated long jump. Brianne Theisen-Eaton won companies in Ireland. At the opening, R&D team with a proven track record the high jump with 1.80m and the shot Minister Sherlock said, “I’m delighted of working with industry partners to put with a throw of 13.46m, a new to attend today’s conference and to complete short and long-term projects personal best for the world heptathlon open the Applied Polymer Technology ranging from troubleshooting, silver medalist. (APT) Gateway. The Government is product and material development committed to supporting and nurturing and process optimisation.” In the much-anticipated Senator an innovative economy built on Eamonn Coghlan Mile, Kilkenny’s Eoin sustainable jobs and balanced regional Packed House in Athlone for Night Everard came home first in 4.03.08. development. This will be achieved of International Athletics Joe Warne and Cameron Boyek coming by the enterprise agencies working A full house turned out in Athlone second and third in times of 4.04.04

38 39 Annual Report 2013 - 2014

ATHLONE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Consolidated Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31 August 2014

2014 2013 NOTE €000’s €000’s

07 INCOME State Grant 1 16,862 18,617 Tuition and student contribution fees 2 17,248 16,211 Financial Amortisation of deferred capital grants 16 3,742 3,958 Research grants and contracts 3 4,060 3,303 Report Other income 5 3,056 4,781 Student support funding income recognised 4 591 675 Interest income 124 166 Ancillary activities 19 2,683 2,257

48,366 49,968

EXPENDITURE Academic departments 6 25,013 24,739 Academic services 7 1,541 1,626 Facilities costs 8 2,921 2,746 Central administration and services 9 4,511 7,319 Governing Body Expenses Student services and general educational expenses 10 2,112 2,111 Research grants and contracts 3 3,980 3,529 Name of Institution: Athlone Institute of Technology Student support funding income applied 4 591 675 Academic Year: 2013/14 Depreciation 13 3,740 3,945 Loss on disposal of fixed assets 16 0 4 Governing Body Member Expenses Interview Fee Total paid Ancillary activities 19 2,094 1,931

Breen, Paul (Chair) 0 0 0 46,503 48,625 Ó’ Cathain, Ciaran 0 0 0 McKenna, John 0 0 0 OPERATING SURPLUS 1,863 1,343 Cashin, Marc 0 0 0 Coulter, Daniel (SU) 0 0 0 Transfer to Capital Development Reserve 18 (928) (2,524) Crehan Roche, Breda 26.43 0 26.43 ACCUMULATED SURPLUS AT START OF YEAR 1,892 3,073 Daly, June 0 0 0 Delamere, Brigid 0 0 0 ______Hannick, Michaela (SU) 0 0 0 ACCUMULATED SURPLUS AT END OF YEAR 2,827 1,892

Henson, Jim 0 0 0 Kennedy, Yvonne 0 0 0 There are no gains or losses other than those recognised above. Kinsella, Natasha 558.15 0 558.15 The statement of accounting policies, cash flow statement and notes 1 to 23 form part of the financial statements. LaCumbre, Joe 0 904.5 904.5 Leyden, Orla 236.06 1028.59 1264.65 Lynam Fergal 0 301.5 301.5 Signed: Date: McDonagh, Jarlath 650.16 0 650.16 McEvoy, Edward 94.5 0 94.5 Mr. Frank Ryan McFadden, Gabrielle 0 0 0 Chairman of AIT Governing Body McLoughlin, Kevin 0 0 0 Rattigan, Liam 0 0 0 Signed: Date: Toher, Mary 215.8 0 215.8 ______Prof. Ciarán Ó Catháin TOTAL 1781.1 2234.59 4015.69 President of AIT 40 41 Annual Report 2013 - 2014

ATHLONE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2014

2014 2013 NOTE €000’s €000’s

FIXED ASSETS 13 91,695 94,188

91,695 94,188 08 CURRENT ASSETS Appendices Stock 28 38 Debtors and prepayments 14 1,833 3,840 Cash at bank and in hand 9,727 8,314

11,588 12,192

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Creditors and accrued expenses - Amounts falling due within one year 15 7,629 10,170 Appendix I ______NET CURRENT ASSETS 3,959 2,022 INSTITUTE: Athlone Institute of Technology (Form D) ______Student Numbers on Level 6 and Level 7 Programmes ACADEMIC YEAR 2013/14 NET ASSETS 95,654 96,210

Level 6 Level 7 TOTAL NUMBER OF RENEWAL Represented by: STUDENTS 2013/14: 187 372 559

Deferred capital grants 16 91,695 94,188 ANALYSIS OF TOTAL LEVEL 6/LEVEL 7 RENEWAL STUDENTS 2013/14 Income and expenditure account 2,827 1,892 Non- Total Numbers who qualified for Maintenance Grants Student Capital development reserve 18 1,132 130 Grant Number Contribution Only Adjacent Rates Non-adjacent Rates Holders Students 95,654 96,210 100% 75% 50% 25% 100% 75% 50% 25% 100% 50%

LEVEL 6 4 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 4 0 174 187 The statement of accounting policies, cash flow statement and notes 1 to 23 form part of the financial statements. LEVEL 7 22 0 2 0 47 0 3 1 50 4 243 372

TOTAL 26 0 2 0 52 0 3 1 54 4 412 559 Signed: Date:

Mr. Frank Ryan Student numbers who qualified for Special Rate of Maintenance Grant 2013/14 Chairman of AIT Governing Body ADJ NON-ADJ. TOTAL

Signed: Date: Level 6 3 0 3

Prof. Ciarán Ó Catháin Level 7 19 8 27 President of AIT

42 43 Annual Report 2013 - 2014

EQUESTRIAN: the 150m and Vinny Connolly who This year the National Intervarsity was fifth in the 1500m. The men’s Championships were hosted by Trinity in 4x200m relay team of Larry O’Reilly, Killossery Lodge Stud, Co. Dublin. Conor Wilson, Ronan Coyle and Sean A strong team of fourteen riders Donegan put in a stellar performance attended the weekend in mid-February to claim bronze medals behind DCU with riders competing in Dressage, sports and UL. The AIT Women also put in Show Jumping and Prix Caprilli during a strong performance despite some the two day event. The Dressage Team achievements notable absentees through injury to was – Andrea Martin, Tim Conway and finish eighth of eighteen colleges and Rebecca Higgins. The Show jumping universities. Leading scorers included Team was – Faye O’Connor, Carol Spain, Sinead Tuohy in the High Jump, and Sarah Long. Also competing were Dearbhail Foley in the Pole Vault, Roisín Laura Wimsey, Sarah Carr and Kate Howley in the 3000m and the 4x200m Hurley. The Show Prix Caprilli was – relay team of Dearbhail Foley, Monique Conor Moore, Rachel Palmer and Kate Botha, Aoife Hogan and Osi Ugonuh. Ann O’Dowd. Individual Riders were Appendix II Emma Neeson and Shannon Delvin. The IUAA Cross Country Some of the major achievements Championships in CIT on 8th March GAELIC FOOTBALL: by our college teams and individuals was another successful outing for The academic year 2013-2014 brought throughout 2013/2014 include AIT AC with the men’s team claiming many challenges to AIT GAA Club. On the following: historic bronze medals behind DCU the event side the club hosted the PAN and UCD with twelve colleges and European GAA Games which attracted ATHLETICS: universities represented. AIT had three GAA teams from all corners of Europe AIT Athletics Club has had an incredibly athletes in the top six and six in the to AIT. This was followed by the hosting successful year. The club kicked off its top fifty. Scorers included John Travers of the Ladies GAA All Ireland Sevens competitive season when picking up (third), Darragh Rennicks (fifth), Colleges Blitz which was brilliantly won Men’s silver medals at the prestigious Eoin Everard (sixth), Liam Brady by AIT in an epic battle against the and highly competitive Irish Universities (twenty-second), Vinny Connolly kingpins of ladies colleges UL. On the Road Relay Championships held on the (thirty-fifth), and Aengus Burke (fifty- playing front, participation and matches old south campus of NUI Maynooth. first). The Ladies team suffered from were plentiful with mixed success across a This is an annual event which has been injuries and withdrawals but put in the clubs. characterised in recent years by the a strong performance with Carolyn competitive incredible depth of talent on display. Somorowsky, Lauren Horan and Osi The Sigerson football squad had a The Men’s A team (Liam Brady, Eoin Ugonuh prominent. dismal league being relegated through and Everard, John Travers, Darragh Rennicks losing all games, in most cases by a and Vinny Connolly) were narrowly MENS BASKETBALL: solitary score. The team re-grouped and incredibly beaten by DCU when finishing second The Men’s Basketball team had its most put in solid performances versus Carlow of twenty-nine teams including a star- successful season in the last decade and Longford in the O’Byrne Cup. successful studded UCD team in third. The Men’s which culminated in the team reaching B team (Martin Nolan, Kevin Nolan, the All Ireland Final. They topped their In Intermediate football the lads were year for AIT Cathal McCarron, Chris Malone and pool, which gave them home court unlucky to lose out to NUIG in the Mark Donegan) finished twenty-first advantage in the Semi-finals. They were league only to be narrowly defeated by Athletics while the ladies team (Aoife Hogan, ranked the number one team in the Sligo IT in the Championship, eventual Regina Dolan, Roisín Howley and division in both points scored and points winners of the All Ireland. Club Carolyn Somorowsky) were twelfth out allowed categories. of twenty-one teams. Freshers’ football fielded two teams in WOMENS BASKETBALL: the league with the first team reaching AIT Men had their highest ever finish The Women’s team had a successful the semi-final only to lose to UCC. at the IUAA Indoor T&F Championships season which culminated in the team In the championship, AIT teams had in the AIT International Arena on 7th reaching the All Ireland Finals. There disappointing results considering the February finishing fifth of twenty one was a fantastic team effort throughout potential shown pre-championship. The colleges and univsersities. Points scorers the season with every member of the Freshers Division one is of a very high included Gerard O’Donnell who won team giving 100%. They lost to the standard of play and as a college AIT is the 60m Hurdles and finished third eventual All Ireland champions, running competing very well. in the 200m, John Travers who won them close on their home court.

44 45 Annual Report 2013 - 2014

LADIES GAELIC FOOTBALL: from their performances and look cup final only to lose to IT Carlow. quarter final so went on to the Plate In Ladies Football our Giles Cup league forward to challenging for the Ryan semi-final in which they won against campaign started with victories over Cup next year. Second Team – The second team Mary Immaculate College 2-1. The team TCD, NUIM and DCU 2. We lost the topped Division Two which earned was extremely unlucky in the final losing semi-final against ITT by a single score. HOCKEY: them a home tie in the quarter final. 2-1 to a very strong WIT team. In the championship, we won against This year AIT Hockey Club entered the They beat DIT B and LIT B but were very ITT and Carlow IT and qualified to Mixed Intervarsity hockey competition unfortunate to lose out to IT Carlow in FUTSAL: play NUIM in the Giles Cup final but held in Kilkenny. While the team did the final. In the CFAI B Teams Cup they AIT’s Mens Futsal team qualified for the struggled to reach previous levels having not come home with silverware they beat GMIT Galway B 2-0 after extra CUFL National Finals after coming out lost some players through serious represented themselves and the Institute time but then lost on penalties against of a tough regional tournament in IT injuries which effected the squad. with exemplary sportsmanship. A IT Sligo in the quarter final. Sligo. At the National Finals they topped number of international students joined their group to secure a semi-final spot Our Freshers Ladies competed in the the club this year and brought great Third Team – The third team finished against WIT and showed some great All Ireland 7’s hosted by AIT. Sixteen colour and enthusiasm to the game. second in Division 3 after victories over character to come from 2-0 down to colleges participated in a feast of Overall, the members showed interest, Moate Business College, Dundalk IT win 4-2. Unfortunately, they couldn’t football on the campus pitch. History dedication and commitment to the club and Cavan Institute but unfortunately find the net against NCI and lost the was made as AIT won the Cup – and this contributed to a very enjoyable lost 1-0 to DIT C after extra time in the final 2-0 defeating UL in a pulsating final in and social year. quarter final. In the Bob Eustace Cup which the AIT girls, on home soil, were competition they had a great 2-0 win VOLLEYBALL: never going to give up. RUGBY: over CIT C but then lost on penalties The AIT Mens’ Team, which was made Senior Rugby – The ICRU modified to O’Fiach College, Dundalk in the up of students from many different HANDBALL: the colleges’ competition this year with quarter final. countries, improved greatly during the AIT Handball had a busy year. The the top six forming a super six league. year and showed some strong technical erecting of a one wall court has been a AIT overcame Carlow IT in the first Fourth Team – Unfortunately, the skills and a fantastic team spirit. The great boost to all students wanting to game. NUIM away were beaten before fourth team did not qualify for the team played in a strong group in the SSI play handball. On the playing side Niall a close, tough encounter against WIT quarter final stages in Division 3 but, League and was up against some very O’Connor, Sean Egan, Aoife McCarthy – a win. DCU and Cork IT were beaten none the less, they still produced some tough opposition from the beginning and Natasha Patrizi all competed in which left AIT top of the pile with a great performances in a tough division. but, in the end, only missed out on the 40x20 intervarsity with Natasha home semi-final against Cork IT. After They opened the year with a narrow qualification for the semi-finals by a few winning gold which was a remarkable a sluggish start AIT came away with a 2-1 defeat to Mater Dei College before points as the team finished the league feat in her first year playing at this big win which propelled them into their taking a creditable 2-2 draw with DIT C. campaign in an impressive sixth from level. AIT also had representation in the fourth final in a row against the much This was followed up with a 1-1 draw twelve teams. 60x30 intervarsity while Niall O’Connor vaunted team from Carlow. against DCU C in Athlone before a final travelled to the US to represent AIT in 3-1 defeat to NCI B. The members of the AIT Womens’ the World Student Games. Second XV Rugby – Captained by the Fortunes improved in the first round of Volleyball Team, who are mainly from legendary Nick Purcell, AIT 2nds have the Bob Eustace Cup as they defeated Italy and Brazil, formed a very cohesive HURLING: had a turbulent year due to fixtures Cavan Institute 2-1 but then lost to group and were able to compete at In Hurling, our Senior Hurlers qualified being postponed, inclement weather Moate in the quarter final. a very high level in the SSI League. for the League semi-finals after etc. An early season victory in Carlow After a tough start losing to UCC they defeating St. Pat’s, Thurles only to lose showed the promise of this team as did WOMENS SOCCER: recovered well with an impressive series to UUJ. Having been drawn in a group the semi-final victory against a fancied The womens’ team had a tough league of 3-0 victories. Just UCC and IT Carlow of death with UUJ and Tralee IT, AIT had DCU outfit. campaign in the Premier North and were able to take points off them and to travel to Belfast seeking to avenge didn’t qualify for the premier semi- they finished with ten wins and three their league trouncing but Tralee IT Freshers Rugby – AIT Freshers had a finals but avoided relegation to secure defeats which saw them qualify for snatched victory from AIT in the closing stop, start season but a talented group premier division status for next season. the semi-finals in WIT. Unfortunately minutes. Nonetheless, huge credit goes soldiered through the league campaign. They went on to win the WSCAI the team lost in the semi-finals against to all the players and management who Challenge Cup after wins against eventual winners – NUIM. put in a massive effort which will stand SOCCER: DCU, IT Tralee and then beat Mary to us during the coming year. First Team – AIT finished second in Immaculate College in the final. the Premier South to qualify for the In the Intervarsity Qualifiers the team AIT Freshers Hurlers played a series quarter finals. They then beat NUIM beat NUIG 2-1 to secure a quarter final of blitzes and matches in the league 2-1 to secure a semi-final spot but match against UCC. and were unlucky not to qualify. In the unfortunately lost out to 2-0 to a strong In the Intervarsity qualifiers the team championship we re-grouped, won UCD side. In the CFAI Cup competition beat NUIG 2-1 to secure a place in against GMIT but lost against UUJ. The they had great wins over NCL, DIFE, IT the Intervarsity Cup Competition. lads can take pride and encouragement Sligo and IT Tallaght and reached the Unfortunately they lost to UCC in the

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