AIT: a story of ambition, vision and determination

“The growth and development of AIT over the last 40 years represented proof of what could be achieved with an ambition, vision and determination, according to President Mary McAleese …” (more)

[Westmeath Independent, 16 February]

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AIT chief won’t rule out possible merger

“AIT head Prof Ciarán Ó Catháin has not ruled out a possible merger this week with another institute or university to bring the institute up to a newly-proposed Technological University status in the years ahead …” (more)

[Westmeath Independent, 12 January]

Institutes of technology discuss possible mergers across sector

“A number of institutes of technology are already discussing possible mergers which are to be urged in the long-awaited higher education strategy being published this morning …” (more)

[Niall Murray, Irish Examiner, 11 January]

Over 1,950 students conferred at AIT graduation ceremony

“AIT graduates need to be versatile, take risks and be open to the idea of international experience to forge ahead in their chosen careers, President Ciarán O’Catháin urged during conferring ceremonies last week …” (more)

[Westmeath Independent, 27 October]

AIT defends registration policy following criticism

“Athlone IT has defended its registration policy for students applying for third level grants, following criticism from Deputy Denis Naughten. The Fine Gael TD issued a statement saying Institutes of Technology were seeking confirmation of third level grant approval before allowing students register for their courses …” (more)

[Westmeath Independent, 22 September]

New AIT engineering building to open in September

“AIT’s new €36m Engineering and Informatics Building will finally open its doors to students next month, it’s been confirmed. ‘We are on schedule to occupy and open the new engineering building on September 1’ …” (more)

[Deirdre Verney, Westmeath Independent, 11 August]

Lecturer forgoes NUI Galway pension

“A lecturer who held full-time positions in two colleges for more than a decade earned €146,000 a year, the Public Accounts Committee has been told. The committee also heard that Fergal O’Malley, who is in his 40s, will receive his full deferred pension from Athlone Institute of Technology when he reaches normal retirement age …” (more)

[Sean Flynn, Irish Times, 4 June]

Seeking to prevent double jobbing

“Three years ago a case came to light which caused a fair amount of embarrassment in the higher education sector, but which also still threatens to have further repercussions. The case was that of Fergal O’Malley, who it turns out had for over eight years been working simultaneously under two full-time contracts of employment …” (more)

[Ferdinand von Prondzynski, University Blog, 4 June]

No more lecturer ‘double-jobbing’

“The presidents of NUI Galway and Athlone Institute of Technology have said new systems have been implemented to ensure there is no repeat of an incident in which a lecturer held two fulltime posts simultaneously in both institutions …” (more)

[RTÉ News, 3 June]

A New Day for Education in the Midlands

“Earlier today AIT signed a cooperation agreement with Co Offaly VEC, a development which represents a new chapter in the history of education in the Midlands. The agreement was witnessed by the Taoiseach, an indication of support for the initiative at the highest level. Under the agreement both institutions will work together to develop FETAC Level 5 modules that will equip students to progress to third level …” (more)

[Ciarán Ó Catháin, A President’s Notebook, 20 April]

AIT signs agreement with Beijing Union University

“Athlone Institute of Technology has signed an agreement with a leading Chinese university that will enable students from AIT to go to Beijing for short study periods. The memorandum of understanding was signed with Beijing Union University (BUU) in a ceremony in Athlone …” (more)

[Education Ireland, 31 March]

Developing relationships with Saudi Arabia

“… The day proved a tremendous success in terms of enabling all parties to become familiar with one another and in building the personal relationships that are so central to international partnerships. The ambassador had an opportunity to visit some of AIT’s research and innovation facilities, the new engineering and informatics complex, as well as meet with the 25 Saudi students who have been attending AIT since September last year. The students who are undertaking full-time undergraduate programmes in engineering, science and business, have integrated remarkably well into campus life and especially into life in the Irish midlands …” (more)

[Ciarán Ó Catháin, A President’s Notebook, 25 February]

Ashbourne Shield

“Ashbourne shield semi-final CIT 8-19 Athlone IT 0-2. Purcell Cup semi IT Tralee 2-10 Garda 0-1, Maynooth 0-13 DCU 1-5.” (tweet)

[Camogie1, Twitter, 20 February]

Double-jobbing lecturer must pick one pension

“A double-jobbing college lecturer has been blocked from claiming two pensions after concern was raised over lax governance standards in the third-level system. Engineering lecturer Fergal O’Malley managed to work at the Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) while holding down another lecturing position in NUI Galway …” (more)

[Juno McEnroe, Irish Examiner, 13 February]

Double jobbing lecturer to pick a pension

“The enterprising lecturer who was double jobbing in colleges in Galway and Athlone will not, after all, qualify for two pensions. The discovery that Fergal O’Malley was lecturing in Athlone IT and NUI Galway sparked a furore over lax governance standards in the third-level system …” (more)

[John Drennan, Independent, 7 February]

Galligan strike pivotal for Athlone

“The torrential rain that doused Limerick City on Tuesday evening rendered underfoot conditions extremely difficult for this clash at the UL campus yesterday. Forty-two frees were awarded over the course of the hour by referee Brian Tyrell, in a game that betrayed much honest endeavour for a want of fluidity and style …” (more)

[Independent, 4 February]

Athlone prevail

“Athlone 1-15 UL 1-8: Ray Galligan’s goal was crucial as Athlone IT saw off UL in Limerick yesterday. The midland college were 0-7 to 0-6 ahead at half-time. That lead was stretched to six by the 45th minute …” (more)

[Irish Times, 4 February]

Floods

“I also think colleges could also do a little to help with floods! Esp in Athlone (AIT) Galway (GMIT & NUIG) get the students out to help!” (tweet)

[Eimear McCormack, Twitter, 25 November]

‘Double-job’ lecturer can claim two pensions

“Exposed for double jobbing in two third-level colleges, former lecturer Fergal O’Malley will keep both of his pensions the Sunday Independent has learned. Mr O’Malley was forced to resign his post in November 2007 after a post-graduate student at NUI Galway, annoyed at having to cover the lecturer’s electronic engineering class while he travelled 90km to Athlone IT to teach the same subject, blew the whistle …” (more)

[Daniel McConnell, Independent, 22 November]

Lecturer who secretly double-jobbed will get two pensions

“A lecturer who secretly double-jobbed by working in two colleges at the same time is likely to receive two pensions, it has emerged. The head of one of the colleges yesterday defended its handling of the debacle, saying the academic may have breached his contract but he had in fact carried out his duties …” (more)

[Juno McEnroe, Irish Examiner, 20 November]