Athlone Institute of Technology

Athlone Institute of Technology (Irish: Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Bhaile Átha Luain), also known as AIT, is a third-level education institution in Athlone, Ireland.

Athlone Institute of Technology
Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Bhaile Átha Luain
Athlone Institute of Technology
Former name
Athlone Regional Technical College
MottoConnect and Discover
TypeInstitutes of Technology in Ireland
Established1970
PresidentProfessor Ciarán Ó Catháin
Academic staff
256
Students5,400+
Location
Athlone (County Westmeath)
,
Leinster
,
N37 HD68
,
Ireland

53.41794°N 7.90462°W / 53.41794; -7.90462
Campus18 hectares (44 acres)
ColoursBlue & White
Websiteait.ie

History

The institution was established by the Irish Government in 1970 as Athlone Regional Technical College under control of the local Vocational Education Committee. In 1975 the College acquired an Art Collection.[1] The College gained more autonomy with the enactment of the Regional Technical Colleges Act 1992. In late 1997, as with the other RTC's it was renamed the Athlone, Institute of Technology. In 1999 AIT became a validation authority with the power to award HETAC degrees. In 2000, Prof. Ciarán Ó Catháin was appointed President of AIT. Dr David Fenton and James Coyle, were previous holders of the post of head of the College, previously called Director and Principal before that. In 2001 a School of Humanities was opened. In 2010 President of Ireland Mary McAleese spoke at the fortieth anniversary of the College.[2]

College of sanctuary

In 2017 AIT became the first designated college of sanctuary in Ireland.[3]

Notable alumni

Facilities
  • The Goldsmith Library, named after Oliver Goldsmith, novelist, playwright and poet
  • McCormack Hall, performance venue named after John McCormack, tenor

AIT International Arena
AIT International Arena, 2015

An international athletics arena with an overall building floor area of 9,715 m2 was opened in early 2013. The arena can house 2,000 spectators and was constructed at a cost of €10 million.[4]

See also

References
  1. AIT Life, Vol. 3, Issue 1, January 2011.
  2. REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY DINNER CELEBRATION OF ATHLONE IT Media Library, www.president.ie
  3. "Athlone IT is the first College of Sanctuary in Ireland". Places of Sanctuary Ireland. 16 June 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2018. Athlone IT, a midland college with global reputation and international students from over 60 countries, including Mid East and East Asia, has become the first College of Sanctuary in Ireland.
  4. "AIT International Arena – Athlone Institute of Technology". Archived from the original on 18 January 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
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