Tipperary Institute Announces New Teacher Education Programme

Tipperary Institute is delighted to announce the development of two new and innovative degree programmes. At a recent Academic Council Meeting in Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT), two new Degree programmes were successfully proposed by Tipperary Institute Staff. The first is a new Honours Degree Programme which will qualify graduates to be second level teachers of Maths and Geography. The second degree programme is a Science Degree in Sports Strength and Conditioning which will qualify graduates to work as professionals in a wide variety of amateur and professional sporting contexts. It is envisaged that both of these programmes will be offered by Tipperary Institute in Sept 2011.




Tipperary Institute has a proud record in the area of Teacher Education. TI played a central role in the development and delivery of two teacher education degree programmes at St. Patrick’s College in Thurles. Two Institute staff – Dr Michael Ryan and Dr. Martin Fitzgerald (from the Centre for Education and Developing Human Potential at Tipperary Institute (CEDHP) were leaders of the Education Stream in St. Patrick’s College for over six years but have now returned full time to Tipperary Institute. Both of these staff members have also provided professional development programmes for second level teachers and school principals in various networks including the Leadership Development Support Service. Currently over twenty teachers and educators are enrolled on a Certificate in Education, Leadership and Management Programme at Tipperary Institute.

The Institute has also developed significant links with education networks, schools and teachers. TI provides in service programmes for Business Teachers and has strong links with the Business Teachers Association of Ireland. TI also organises a very successful annual conference in Education Technology for teachers. This conference is now one of the prestige calendar events for teachers of ICT in Ireland. A new resource was also developed by TI for Geography teachers in the area of Sustainability. In the coming weeks, the Institute will host in-service training for second level Maths teachers associated with the new Project Maths Programme that is being introduced nationwide.

Michael O’Connell (Acting CEO) Tipperary Institute, said he “was very pleased to see this network with the second level sector being developed and was particularly pleased that TI would now use its track record of innovation and best practice in Education to train teachers in the teaching of Maths and Geography. The president of LIT, Dr. Maria Hinfellar also spoke of the current challenges and opportunities associated with Maths Education in Ireland and welcomed the proposed honours degree programme that would capitalise on the very successful synergies available to TI & LIT including the centre for teaching of Maths and Science in LIT.

The addition of a new Science Degree Programme in Sports Strength and Conditioning was also welcomed as a significant development in a county and region very proud of its sporting history. The innovative partnership with Setanta College will bring further diversity and added value to the expanding suite of programmes now on offer at Tipperary Institute.


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For further information please contact:
Laura O’ Mahony
Marketing Officer

Tipperary Institute
Nenagh Road
Thurles
Co. Tipperary

Direct Dial: (0504) 28071
Mobile: (087) 2775618

Open Day 2010 - What a day!!

Phew! I am still recovering from the Open Day at Tipperary Institute yesterday the 8th of September. It was a great day and a real great buzz around campus.
Here are some photos...

My Poster Design

Information Evenings @ Tipperary Institute

Information Evenings

All you ever wanted to know about course and career options, financial support, how to apply, accommodation and more:



Clonmel campus, Tuesday 7 September, 6 – 8pm
Thurles campus, Wednesday 8 September, 6 – 8pm



Everyone is welcome!

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Cabinet approves the integration of Tipperary Institute into Limerick Institute of Technology

“We very much welcome the vote of confidence which the cabinet has made today in the future of higher education in Tipperary. The Tipperary campuses at Thurles and Clonmel can now focus afresh on developing and expanding educational opportunity for all the people of Tipperary and surrounding counties.” said Acting CEO of Tipperary Institute, Michael O’Connell. The integration with LIT provides for the maintenance and development of courses already available at Tipperary Institute but also provides for new courses specifically developed for Tipperary and the opportunity for Tipperary and indeed the Mid West students to tap into the wider array of choices available in the wider LIT organisation.


The new relationship with LIT will
1. Build the courses at Tipperary Campuses so as to service 1000 full time students from Tipperary and adjacent counties in 2014/15. Full time students stood at 337 in 2009
2. Protect the future of long term jobs and education by bringing the cost base of Tipperary campuses into line with national norms over a 5 year period.
3. Use the established LIT brand e.g. LIT (Tipp.) to build further students, parents and schools confidence in courses
4. Provide from an expanded LIT Governing Body to include membership from North and South Tipperary
5. Develop the campuses both in Thurles and Clonmel to meet demand from higher Education especially in new domains for Tipperary like Science and Education
6. Develop Enterprise Acceleration and industry support services to drive new business and economic activity in Tipperary
7. Preserve and strengthen key strong projects being delivered by TI e.g. the SERVE project and the Tipperary Energy Agency and the National Rural Network.




There are many benefits to the new organisation including
• It secures its future to provide 3rd level education in Tipperary and especially increasing interest from schools
• It makes wider range of courses and expertise available to it to meet Tipperary demands
• It preserves key strength of TI in sustainability, creativity and cross disciplinary approach
• Bringing TI into the IOT system will give credibility to proposals for expansion and development
• It provides expertise in Enterprise Development – the Community Enterprise Centre in Thurles and the development of a Enterprise Acceleration Centre in Clonmel
• Provides sound platform for future investment in campuses
• Access to expertise of TI staff especially in areas under developed in LIT
Michael O’Connell said “We are delighted with the cabinet’s endorsement and look forward now to a bright future for LIT Tipperary.”


Enquiries:
Laura O’Mahony (Marketing Officer)
0504 28071