Tallaght IT cited for `excellence'

The NCEA'S first institutional review of Tallaght IT took place in May last year. The NCEA's report describes the institute as "a centre of excellence in the provision of relevant higher education".

However, it notes that the library and computing facilities need substantial upgrading and that student recreational and social facilities and staff accommodation are inadequate. The review group recommends that formal and informal communications within the college be improved and that external communications and public relations should be reviewed, since "the institute may be underselling itself and its own success story". The report questions whether Tallaght's academic management structure, which is based in the traditional manner on schools and departments, is the most appropriate. "That structure has evolved in institutions founded a generation ago . . . the current structures and the attitudes and behavioural patterns which they engender may not be conducive to the development and effective operation of innovative approaches, such as inter-disciplinary courses." The report recommends the introduction of institution-wide quality-assurance policy and procedures based on best international practice. Such policy and procedures are also required in non-academic areas including administration, student services and catering.

Noting difficulties in the operation and delivery of Tallaght's continuing education programme, the review suggests that the NCEA should assist the college in applying to the Department of Education and Science for "enhanced arrangements", but notes that "the Department's own regulations and requirements may be inhibiting factors in this area". Highlighting a tension between full- and part-time education in the institute, the report notes that "without some changes in attitudes this tension is likely to be resolved by the institute becoming more and more like a mainstream Institute of Technology-type institution, i.e. mostly devoted to full-time work, with an increasing segment of its work being at degree and postgraduate levels." This would be a missed opportunity, the review team says. Although college research, development and consultancy have experienced an "encouraging growth", it should be expanded across all disciplines at all levels. However, the team remains unconvinced that the institute has worked out, at a strategic level, its role in postgraduate work.

Tallaght IT's physical development may help address some of these concerns. By 2007, it will be catering for 5,600 full-time students and 4,200 night students. The existing college building will remain the main focus of the campus and will accommodate the department of applied science, administration offices and the main canteen.

Plans for on-campus facilities include purpose-built accommodation for engineering, business, computing and audio-visuals, a 2,600-square-metre central library, a multi-purpose centre, a student building, a CERT building, residences for up to 200 students, an innovation and regional development centre, teachers' centre, special education centre and outdoor sports facilities.