Regional Technical College
Encyclopedia
An Institute of Technology or IT is a type of further education
college
found in Ireland
. There are a total of fourteen colleges that use the title of Institute of Technology, which were created from the late 1960s and were formerly known as Regional Technical Colleges. The exception to this was Dublin Institute of Technology
which emerged independently of the Regional College system.
in 1963. A year later, a site for an institution in Carlow
was identified. The Investment in Education (1962) and Training of Technicians in Ireland (1964) reports greatly accelerated the trend in Ireland for education reform and development particularly in technical education, similar to that in other Western Countries at the time.
The Steering Committee on Technical Education, also called The Mulcahy Report (1967), was an important milestone in framing the institutional structures and functions calling 'for trade and industry over a broad spectrum of occupations ranging from craft to professional level, notably in engineering and science, but also in commercial, linguistic and other specialities.'
The first institutions formally opened their doors in 1970, and other colleges were added during the following decade. Some colleges developed from earlier institutions and colleges, involving amalgamation, but most were completely new institutions. A Regional Technical College for Limerick was cancelled after a National Institute for Higher Education
was announced for the city. Finally, in 1993, an institution was created for Limerick. Two additional institutions have been created since, bringing the total to thirteen.
†Dublin Institute of Technology was the first third level college to be called an IT and was created under separate legislation with different powers than the other thirteen colleges, being a university in everything but name.
s, and placed on an independent basis thereafter by the Regional Technical Colleges Acts in 1993. In the late 1990s, all of the institutions were upgraded to Institute of Technology status. This was in recognition of the high standards, including university
level research
, which takes place at them. Additionally institutions have been given delegated authority to confer their own awards in some cases up to Doctoral level. The Regional Technical Colleges Acts still apply to all the institutions, with Dublin Institute of Technology
set up under previous legislation and been quite distinct.
The Institutes of Technology Act 2006 will further amend the law with respect to the institutions.
and National Diploma
type courses particularly in business
, engineering
and science
, this was very much the founding principle. During the late 1970s degrees at Bachelor's
level were introduced, later Master's
and Doctoral levels were also allowed. In recent years there has been a rapid expansion in apprenticeship
and nursing
type courses.
, and other awards are conferred by the Further Education and Training Awards Council
. Some specialised courses, such as accountancy
, are validated by professional bodies but these are nearly always the exception.
Further education
Further education is a term mainly used in connection with education in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is post-compulsory education , that is distinct from the education offered in universities...
college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
found in Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. There are a total of fourteen colleges that use the title of Institute of Technology, which were created from the late 1960s and were formerly known as Regional Technical Colleges. The exception to this was Dublin Institute of Technology
Dublin Institute of Technology
Dublin Institute of Technology was established officially in 1992 under the but had been previously set up in 1978 on an ad-hoc basis. The institution can trace its origins back to 1887 with the establishment of various technical institutions in Dublin, Ireland...
which emerged independently of the Regional College system.
Creation
The idea of the institutions was first announced by Patrick HilleryPatrick Hillery
Patrick John "Paddy" Hillery was an Irish politician and the sixth President of Ireland from 1976 until 1990. First elected at the 1951 general election as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Clare, he remained in Dáil Éireann until 1973...
in 1963. A year later, a site for an institution in Carlow
Carlow
Carlow is the county town of County Carlow in Ireland. It is situated in the south-east of Ireland, 84 km from Dublin. County Carlow is the second smallest county in Ireland by area, however Carlow Town is the 14th largest urban area in Ireland by population according to the 2006 census. The...
was identified. The Investment in Education (1962) and Training of Technicians in Ireland (1964) reports greatly accelerated the trend in Ireland for education reform and development particularly in technical education, similar to that in other Western Countries at the time.
The Steering Committee on Technical Education, also called The Mulcahy Report (1967), was an important milestone in framing the institutional structures and functions calling 'for trade and industry over a broad spectrum of occupations ranging from craft to professional level, notably in engineering and science, but also in commercial, linguistic and other specialities.'
The first institutions formally opened their doors in 1970, and other colleges were added during the following decade. Some colleges developed from earlier institutions and colleges, involving amalgamation, but most were completely new institutions. A Regional Technical College for Limerick was cancelled after a National Institute for Higher Education
National Institute for Higher Education
A National Institute for Higher Education was a category of higher education institution established in the Republic of Ireland to provide higher level technical education above the standard of the then established Regional Technical College system but at university level...
was announced for the city. Finally, in 1993, an institution was created for Limerick. Two additional institutions have been created since, bringing the total to thirteen.
| Name | Abbreviation | Opened |
|---|---|---|
| Athlone Institute of Technology Athlone Institute of Technology Athlone Institute of Technology is the only higher education institution in the midlands of Ireland. Established in 1970 as Athlone Regional Technical College, it has expanded in size, scope, and influence over the period... |
AIT | 1970 |
| Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown The Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown , established in 1999, is , the last-founded Institute of Technology in Ireland... |
ITB | 2000 |
| Institute of Technology, Carlow Institute of Technology, Carlow The Institute of Technology, Carlow , originally Regional Technical College, Carlow, is one of the original Regional Technical Colleges. It is located to the south of Carlow, Ireland on Kilkenny Road... |
ITC | 1970 |
| Cork Institute of Technology Cork Institute of Technology Cork Institute of Technology , formerly the Regional Technical College, Cork, is an Institute of Technology in Ireland, located in Cork, Ireland opened in 1973. The institute has 17,000 students in art, business, engineering, music and science disciplines... |
CIT | 1974 |
| Dublin Institute of Technology Dublin Institute of Technology Dublin Institute of Technology was established officially in 1992 under the but had been previously set up in 1978 on an ad-hoc basis. The institution can trace its origins back to 1887 with the establishment of various technical institutions in Dublin, Ireland... † |
DIT | 1992 |
| Dundalk Institute of Technology Dundalk Institute of Technology Dundalk Institute of Technology formerly Regional Technical College, Dundalk is a campus situated in Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland, halfway between Dublin and Belfast . The campus is 800 metres from the main Dublin Belfast road and 3 minutes drive from the M1 motorway to Dublin. Dublin Airport... |
DkIT | 1970 |
| Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology IADT - Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology is located at Dún Laoghaire, Ireland was established in 1997 and incorporated the former Dun Laoghaire College of Art and Design as its School of Creative Arts.-Campus:... |
IADT | 1997 |
| Institute of Technology, Sligo Institute of Technology, Sligo Institute of Technology Sligo is a state funded third-level educational institution situated in the city of Sligo, Ireland. The Institute has three Schools and 9 Departments.... |
ITS | 1970 |
| Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology is a third level institute of education and is based at five locations in the west of Ireland.-Galway Campus:... |
GMIT | 1972 |
| Letterkenny Institute of Technology Letterkenny Institute of Technology Letterkenny Institute of Technology , formerly Regional Technical College, Letterkenny, is located in Letterkenny, County Donegal, Ireland. It is a third level institution serving County Donegal and the North West of Ireland. The institute is usually known locally as the Regional. Today, it is one... |
LYIT | 1971 |
| Limerick Institute of Technology Limerick Institute of Technology Limerick Institute of Technology is an institution of higher education in Limerick, Ireland and is one of 13 institutes that are members of the Institutes of Technology Ireland . The Institute has four campuses in Limerick City, one in both Thurles and Clonmel in County Tipperary and a regional... |
LIT | 1993 |
| Institute of Technology, Tallaght Institute of Technology, Tallaght Institute of Technology, Tallaght formerly Regional Technical College, Tallaght, located in Tallaght, South Dublin in Ireland.-History:... |
ITT Dublin | 1992 |
| Institute of Technology, Tralee Institute of Technology, Tralee Institute of Technology, Tralee is a third-level educational institution located in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland. It was established in 1977 as the Regional Technical College, Tralee.-General information:... |
IT Tralee | 1977 |
| Waterford Institute of Technology Waterford Institute of Technology Waterford Institute of Technology is a state funded third-level educational institution situated in the city of Waterford, Ireland. The Institute has six Schools and 16 Departments.... |
WIT | 1970 |
†Dublin Institute of Technology was the first third level college to be called an IT and was created under separate legislation with different powers than the other thirteen colleges, being a university in everything but name.
Legislation
The institutions were run under the Vocational Education Acts from 1970 until 1992 as special subcommittees of the Vocational Education CommitteeVocational Education Committee
A Vocational Education Committee is a statutory local education body in the Republic of Ireland that administers some secondary education, most adult education and a very small amount of primary education in the state...
s, and placed on an independent basis thereafter by the Regional Technical Colleges Acts in 1993. In the late 1990s, all of the institutions were upgraded to Institute of Technology status. This was in recognition of the high standards, including university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
level research
Research
Research can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
, which takes place at them. Additionally institutions have been given delegated authority to confer their own awards in some cases up to Doctoral level. The Regional Technical Colleges Acts still apply to all the institutions, with Dublin Institute of Technology
Dublin Institute of Technology
Dublin Institute of Technology was established officially in 1992 under the but had been previously set up in 1978 on an ad-hoc basis. The institution can trace its origins back to 1887 with the establishment of various technical institutions in Dublin, Ireland...
set up under previous legislation and been quite distinct.
The Institutes of Technology Act 2006 will further amend the law with respect to the institutions.
Management
The individual institutions are structured similar to other universities, particularly Irish ones. Each institution has a Director, who is the chief operational officer of the institution, usually assisted by an ad-hoc senior management team; a Registrar, who is the chief academic officer of the institution; a Governing Council, which oversees operational affairs; an Academic Council, which oversees academic affairs. Each academic school has a Head of School and each academic department of a school has a Head of Department.Programmes
The institutions traditional courses were National CertificateNational Certificate
National Certificate is the name of an educational award in a number of countries, although the actual merit of award is not always the same.-Ireland:...
and National Diploma
National Diploma
The National Diploma was a three year ab initio specialised higher education qualification in a technology discipline offered by an Institute of Technology or other HETAC designated institution in Ireland....
type courses particularly in business
Business
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
, engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
and science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
, this was very much the founding principle. During the late 1970s degrees at Bachelor's
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
level were introduced, later Master's
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
and Doctoral levels were also allowed. In recent years there has been a rapid expansion in apprenticeship
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship is a system of training a new generation of practitioners of a skill. Apprentices or protégés build their careers from apprenticeships...
and nursing
Nursing
Nursing is a healthcare profession focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life from conception to death....
type courses.
Validation
Traditionally awards were conferred by the National Council for Educational Awards, this statutory authority became the Higher Education and Training Awards CouncilHigher Education and Training Awards Council
The Higher Education and Training Awards Council , the legal successor to the National Council for Educational Awards , grants higher education awards in Ireland in the extra-university system...
, and other awards are conferred by the Further Education and Training Awards Council
Further Education and Training Awards Council
The Further Education and Training Awards Council is the statutory awarding body for further education in Ireland...
. Some specialised courses, such as accountancy
Accountancy
Accountancy is the process of communicating financial information about a business entity to users such as shareholders and managers. The communication is generally in the form of financial statements that show in money terms the economic resources under the control of management; the art lies in...
, are validated by professional bodies but these are nearly always the exception.
See also
- Education in IrelandEducation in IrelandThe term Education in Ireland may refer to either of two education systems in Ireland:*Education in the Republic of Ireland*Education in Northern Ireland...
- Institute of technologyInstitute of technologyInstitute of technology is a designation employed in a wide range of learning institutions awarding different types of degrees and operating often at variable levels of the educational system...
- ITnetITnetITnet is an PoS based multi Mbit/s network created for the Institutes of Technology in Ireland. ITnet uses a 45 Mbit/s link to each of the institutions and an international link of 310 Mbit/s via HEAnet....
- List of Irish third-level educational institutions
- List of universities in the Republic of Ireland