Athlone it sets goal to become technological university

Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) will become a technological university according to its new strategic plan, which was launched today.

The plan, entitled “Global Focus – Regional Impact”, sets out a series of seven pillars for the future growth and development of the institute through 2018.

It was launched by international expert on higher education, Prof Simon Marginson of the Institute of Education in London.

According to the new vision statement for the institute, AIT “will be a technological university distinguished by outstanding learner experience, international focus, distinctive regional contribution and high quality impact of its staff, teaching, applied research and innovation.”

Speaking at the launch, AIT president, Prof Ciarán Ó Catháin, said: “Becoming a technological university will enable us to better serve the needs of our students by providing them with an applied and internationally focused education. It will enable us to better meet the needs of employers for highly qualified and work-ready graduates. It will enable us to better meet the needs of entrepreneurs and industry for a research and innovation partner. And, it will enable us to better serve the many and various community groups that are the backbone of this midlands region

“Becoming a technological university will amplify the best aspects of what we do; it will enhance our reputation, and provide a platform for future growth,” Mr Ó Catháin said.

Acknowledging that achieving TU status is “an ambitious goal,” the president said that: “When you examine the criteria for TU status published by the government, it quickly becomes apparent that AIT is one of the leaders in terms of reaching those metrics. We are to the forefront in terms of the percentage of staff with PhDs, research activity, the diverse nature of our student population, and so on. That excellence in performance spurs us on to even greater goals.”

Among the goals outlined in the strategic plan are for AIT to grow its student population, by 15%, to 6,000. The studient body would become more diverse, comprised of an increaded number of postgrads and more lifelong learners. The plan points to reform of curricula and increased student retention rates of 78%.

In terms of research, innovation and enterprise, AIT is aiming to position itself as 'an innovation partner of choice for industry.'

In order to deliver upon the goals outlined in the plan, the Institute is aiming to increase its revenue. It has a target of generating €6 million per annum from non-exchequer sources, through the provision of international campus management services and the development of a high-performance sport centre of excellence.

The institute is also going to dramatically increase the number of AIT students undertaking an international placement, study or training programme abroad. There will be a renewed emphasis on languages, while increasing the number of international students from 11 to 15 percent.

Prof Ó Catháin acknowledged the role of the institute’s staff in developing the plan. “This document is wholly rooted in every department, in every office and in every section of this institute. I believe that lends the plan an energy and vitality that shines through on every page,” he said. “With that ownership also comes a responsibility for implementation. That is a responsibility that rests with all of us, and as a management team we will be putting in place the structures and resources to deliver upon these goals.”