What's it like to work in. . . Dundalk Institute of Technology?

Denis Cummins, Head, School of Informatics, Music and Creative Media

What's it like to work in Dundalk IT?

DKIT is a great place to work. I have been here for 20 years, so I must like the place. There has been a great buzz here, particularly in the last few years with the development of great facilities, which give the feel of a real third-level campus.

There is always something different happening. This week is freshers' week and it is great to see the new students arrive full of enthusiasm. Now it is up to us to make sure these hopes are fulfilled. There is a real carnival atmosphere during freshers' week.

How does your current job measure up to your last?

I have more responsibility now and I am a member of the senior management team. I have to take a more strategic view of things than I did in my previous position.

As head of informatics, music and creative media I will be overseeing the development of new programmes and planning a move to a new, dedicated building for the school.

What's the best part of your job?

Meeting students and their families at graduation, seeing their pleasure at having succeeded and seeing the pride on their parents' faces. Having contributed something to that is a great feeling. It may sound a cliché but it is true.

What's the hardest part of your job?

I am on a lot of committees, both within DKIT and at local and national level. It can be difficult to find time between meetings to get the rest of my work done, but it is always interesting.

Where's the best place in DKIT to retreat to when it all gets too much?

The library. We have a fantastic library in DKIT and if I need to do some uninterrupted reading I will lock the office and go to the library.

Who's your education idol?

I was a student in the NIHE Limerick (now UL) in the early 1980s and Ed Walsh was president at the time. He was a controversial character in many ways, but he brought the American university model of education to Ireland. We had trimesters, modules and QCA marking. It was unique in Ireland at the time. He must also be credited with the subsequent major developments of the campus at the University of Limerick.

If you could change one thing about DKIT, what would it be?

I would like to see more students actually living on campus. Because we have such a local student population most of them commute so it can be difficult for clubs and societies to get events going in the evenings or at weekends. There are plans to build more student apartments on campus and a student services centre so this will hopefully encourage more students to stay.

What makes DKIT unique?

DKIT is supported by its local population to a greater extent than any other Higher Education Institute in the State. For example, half of all the students in Co Louth who go to third-level come to DKIT. This is the highest proportion for any county. It's a great statement of local confidence in what we are doing here.