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

Tipperary Institute Announces New Degree Focussed on Low Carbon High Technology Economy

Tipperary Institute has launched their new B.Sc in Computing (Smart Sustainable Energy), which focuses on developing and designing innovative sustainable energy technology that solves energy problems. This innovative course is essential in supporting the development of Ireland’s smart green economy. This programme addresses the requirement for a low carbon high-tech economy with the potential to create 80,000 jobs over the next decade as identified by the Green Enterprise Group in Dec 2009.
The course is unique in Ireland and is built upon Tipperary Institute’s expertise in the sustainable energy sector. The course will commence in September 2010 and students can apply through the CAO.

A recent Government White Paper and the National Development Plan indicates a long-term demand for expertise in technology that integrates with sustainable energy systems. This mirrors an increase in career opportunity globally, where a cumulative investment of $20 trillion is estimated by the International Energy Agency as being required in the period 2005 – 2030.

When designing the programme, Tipperary Institute consulted with sustainable energy industry representatives to insure that graduates will be ready for the rapidly expanding sustainable energy sector and the exciting opportunities (Internationally and Nationally) that exist to maximise energy efficiency and renewable energy through the use of software and IT applications.

The programme provides a range of advanced modules in sustainable energy technologies and computing thus producing graduates with strong employment prospects within the sustainable energy and software development areas.. Graduates will acquire the necessary knowledge to cope with the changing nature of the sustainable energy domain and the computing industry throughout their careers.

“Maximising the efficient use and control of sustainable energy sources is necessary if Ireland is to secure its energy future” said James Greenslade, director of the ICT dept in Tipperary Institute. “Economic, political, and environmental concerns are among the drivers contributing to this rapid growth. The rapidly expanding sustainable energy sector needs graduates with strong computer applications skills and knowledge so it can maximise the efficient use and production of energy, and thereby reduce carbon emissions.”

Students who are interested can apply through the CAO. If you require more information you can contact the programme co-ordinator Dr Liam Noonan at 0504 28254 or email lnoonan@tippinst.ie