Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) has signed an Articulation Agreement with Louth Meath ETB to enhance progression routes for Higher Education students in the Northeast.

DkIT President Dr Diarmuid O’Callaghan welcomed Ms Sadie Ward-McDermott, LMETB Director of FET; Mr Padraig McGovern, Principal, O’Fiaich Institute; Mr David McDonnell, Principal, Drogheda Institute of Further Education (DIFE); and Mr Denis Leonard, Principal Dunboyne College, on campus for this new collaboration, which builds on links established over many years.

The agreement will allow Further Education students from these organisations who have gained specific qualifications and academic attainments to gain advanced entry into year three of certain Degree courses in DkIT. Further pathways to Degree courses are also possible. 

Dr Diarmuid O’Callaghan, President, DkIT, said: “We are delighted to enter this Articulation Agreement with our regional educational partners in Meath and Louth. These new educational pathways are putting students and community needs at the centre of what we do, and we hope to further add to the list of available advanced entry courses in the near future within our School of Health & Science, School of Engineering and School of Informatics and Creative Arts.”

Dr Patricia Moriarty, Head of School of Business and Humanities, along with her team, developed these advanced entry pathways into their new suite of Honours Degrees which include courses in BA (Honours) in Applied Youth Work, BB (Honours) in Business with Management, BB (Honours) in International Business with Digitalisation, BA (Honours) in Digital Marketing & Strategic Communication, BA (Honours) in Sport & Exercise with Business, BA (Honours) in Event Management with Marketing, BA (Honours) in Hospitality Management with Business, BA (Honours) in Marketing & International Tourism Management and the BB (Honours) Part Time course.

Speaking after the signing, Dr Patricia Moriarty said: “Today’s event marked the culmination of a successful pilot project in advanced entry, undertaken for the past year. I am delighted to facilitate pathways from Further Education Institutes in the region to Honours Degrees ensuring that the learning at Further Education Institutes can be counted into the overall achievement of the Honours Degree award.  This strengthens our region as we strive to retain talent locally.”