THE INSTITUTES of Technology Research Alliance have launched a programme of graduate education that provides targeted skills development for students undertaking MSc and PhD degrees, but is also available to Institute of Technology staff generally.
The programme is fully accredited by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (Hetac) and depending on the number of credits taken leads either to a certificate or diploma, explained alliance programme manager, Dr Michelle Connolly of IT Sligo.
“This is designed to upgrade the skill sets and abilities of graduate students,” she said yesterday after the launch of the programme.
Its development was the key objective of the alliance when it was set up 2½ years ago after a study funded by the Strategic Innovation Fund.
“It gives a more structured approach to the masters and PhD programmes,” Dr Connolly said.
It also made the student on completion of their degree programme much more employable afterwards, she added.
“This is a first of its kind in the Irish educational system.”
Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation Conor Lenihan launched the programme yesterday in Dublin.
It would help deliver postgraduates “who are both expert in their field and flexible in the workplace”, he said.
Graduate students can take modules in areas of particular relevance to a career in science, for example research methods, project management and data handling, stated Dr John Bartlett, project co-ordinator at IT Sligo.
Yet there are also personal development modules on creativity and entrepreneurship and communications.