Published on: Thursday, 07 October 2010

CIT has been named as Institute of Technology of the Year in The Sunday Times University Guide, one of the largest, and most respected, such guides in the world with 1.4m copies printed in different editions. CIT was previously recognised as Institute of Technology of the Year in 2006.

The award is based on performance in The Sunday Times league table which is drawn up from criteria including the calibre of students the institution attracts, research quality, degree results achieved, student/staff ratios, graduate employment levels and student retention rates.

CIT’s selection for this prestigious award was also based on CIT moving up two places on The Sunday Times Irish University league table for 2010/11; having Ireland’s second best employment rate in the third level sector and very strong student satisfaction.

CIT was also recognised for having the best output of postgraduate research students in the institute of technology sector; enhanced student services with the new Access and Disability Support Centre and increased involvement with the arts with the opening of its new city centre art gallery in the Wandesford Quay Gallery.

CIT’s expanded International links were recognised, such as its partnership with The University of Pune, one of India’s leading universities. Its strong track record in research and supporting start-up businesses and its appointment of one the country’s first ‘Entrepreneurs in Residence’, Kieran Moynihan, who began his role this September at CIT, were also contributory factors.

Dr Brendan Murphy, President of CIT, said: “We are extremely pleased to be awarded the title of Institute of Technology of the Year. This is a great honour for our students, our staff and for Cork. It is gratifying that so many of our innovations, be they academic, in terms of course provision, or physical, in terms of our new Access and Disability Support Centre and our acquisition of the CIT Wandesford Gallery, have been noted for praise. This diversity is key to our continued success: we operate cutting edge engineering and science research centres alongside colleges teaching art, music, business, humanities and maritime studies; we offer an extremely wide range of highly sought after courses on a campus with some of the country’s finest sports facilities.

We must not rest on our laurels. Increased demand, and the economic situation, mean that there are many challenges and changes ahead for the higher education sector. We will continue to do what we do best: teach, innovate, engage externally and create a culture where students, graduates and staff can be at their best. From this will come our success and our continued contribution to the country's future. Finally, I must pay tribute to our Governing Body, and particularly to its Chairman, Dr Paddy Caffrey, for their diligence, guidance and sagacity over the years.”

Also commenting on the Award, CIT Registrar and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr Barry O’Connor, said: “We are particularly pleased that the Institute’s commitment to the full spectrum of the Student Experience is recognised, from Access initiatives through undergraduate success to postgraduate and industry engagement. This engagement by CIT staff, on behalf of the Institute’s student population, is reflected in the consistently high demand for our graduates and the equally successful record of the Institute in attracting funding for applied research. It is vital for the well being and advancement of the Third Level sector that such engagement with the student, on one hand, and the enterprise/community/business sectors, on the other, are integrated in the mission and the delivery of CIT.”