Founded: 1971
Location: In Letterkenny, walking distance from the town centre.
Campus: Small attractive campus with leafy trees and open spaces.
Director: Paul Hannigan, MBS Business Studies. Spent 10 years as lecturer and head of department at Dundalk Institute of Technology.
Number of students: 1800 full-time, 200 part-time.
Number of faculty: 150
Number of certificate courses: 18 including business studies and computers.
Number of diploma courses: 24, including food science and applied chemistry.
Number of degree courses: seven, including legal studies, analytical science and digital media.
Number of library seats: 315 in a 1,400 square metre building.
Number of volumes in the library: more than 40,000.
Number of computer labs: 18. Nine are dedicated computer labs, the others are course specific, including CAD labs for engineering and drafting students, and graphics labs for design students.
Number of computers: More than 325 available for student use.
Number of college societies: 25, including hurling, Gaelic football and comedy.
How the college came about: In the early 1970s, the then government became concerned that the State needed more technical graduates if the economy was to improve. Consequently, it issued edicts to create a number of technical colleges, including Letterkenny. The technical colleges offer an alternative to traditional university education in a number of ways. First, the technical colleges offer a different selection of courses. Second, they are located outside the big cities, which makes access to higher education easier for a larger number of students. And finally, they offer a ladder of opportunity for students by providing certificates and diplomas, rather than just degrees.
Plans for the future: Currently undergoing a major developmental expansion of teaching and computer facilities, as well as the construction of a multi-purpose hall and student society centre.
Student Opinion: "Besides the great computer facilities and library, this is a wonderful place to go to school because everybody knows each other. So when you are down there's always someone to pick you up." Christina Nee, president of the Letterkenny IT student union.
