College Profile: Carlow Institute of Technology

Founded: 1970

Location: On the outskirts of Carlow Town, Co Carlow

Campus: Situated an hour from Dublin, on the outskirts of Carlow Town and on the Kilkenny road.

Director: John Gallagher, educated at Summerhill College in Sligo and University College, Cork. A chartered engineer, he was a senior lecturer at Liverpool Polytechnic and has been at Carlow since 1970.

Mission: The institution is committed to the philosophy of lifelong learning and the education of the whole person. It recognises student and staff as full partners in its mission.

Number of students: 4,000

Number of Lecturers: 200

Number of degree courses: 11, including international business, industrial biology and production technology.

Number of diploma courses: 18, including construction studies and computing with German.

Number of certificate courses: 16, including civil engineering, computer networking and optical communications.

Number of library seats: 1,200

Number of computers: 700

Number of college societies: More than 30, including rugby, badminton, astronomy and drama.

Most impressive facilities: The Learning Resource Centre, which houses the the institute's library, computing and information technology facilities, TV studios and multimedia laboratories.

History of the school: Until 1992, Carlow IT was a regional technical college under the control of the Vocational Education Committee. However, with the passage of the RTC Act, the institute was given greater autonomy to pursue research and development. Currently, the school offers more than 36 different courses of study.

Claim to fame: Research very important program of the feature.

Future Plans: New degree program in the computer systems management was approved by National Council for Educational Awards and waiting for approval from Department of Education.

Student quote: "Because it's not too big, you get to know your lecturers very well; you get a lot of personal attention. And the classes are very enjoyable because they're not just theory-based - you learn things that you can eventually use in business." - Laura Oakey, post-graduate research student.