NEW INITIATIVE OPENS DOORS FOR STUDENTS

In these times of unprecedented change Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT) and the Further Education Colleges of the North East are working together to provide leadership in times of uncertainty and are modelling new ways for public sector bodies to collaborate in caring for the needs of our region and our country.  Together these organisations are creating innovative responses to the challenge of enhancing participation in education and multiplying educational opportunity in the North East. 

DKIT and the Further Education Colleges have come together to form the North East Further and Higher Education Alliance (NEFHEA). The further education institutes involved are O Fiaich Institute of Further Education Dundalk, Dunboyne College for Further Education, Drogheda Institute of Further Education, Monaghan Institute of Further Education and Cavan Institute.  The purpose of NEFHEA is to enhance the educational profile of the population of the North East and in so doing increase our regional economic competitiveness and the quality of our lives and society. NEFHEA is an example of the responsiveness of these higher educational organisations to regional and national policy on access and opportunity, which wants to see participation in higher education increase to 72%.

Currently students with a further education FETAC award can use their qualification to progress to DKIT under the Higher Education Links Scheme. The initiative is underpinned by a formal memoranda of agreement between DKIT and the further education institutes.

The North East Further and Higher Education Alliance (NEFHEA) formally links the six Institutes for the first time and covers a total of 12,000 students and 1000 staff. It aims to promote higher take up of further and higher educational opportunities to all learners in the region. Working through the alliance the member Institutes will ensure balanced regional provision of educational opportunities across the north east region and to co-operate in joint development of programmes and sharing of resources. Another priority of the alliance is the increase in the transition rates of students from the further education colleges in the north east region to Dundalk Institute of Technology.

Commenting on the launch of this initiative Denis Cummins, President, Dundalk Institute of Technology stated that DKIT, recognises the quality of the courses delivered at FE level in the region. “Despite the uncertainty of the times we live in it is important that we act in service of our Mission of enhancing educational opportunity and development.  It is important that we build on our strengths and common values and seize opportunities to make change happen. We have found that students who have used the existing FETAC route are well prepared in terms of the career path they want to take at DKIT. In the past as educational institutes we have all co-operated on the transfer of students and a significant number of students have progressed their studies at DKIT to degree level by using the existing route. Under the new route we would envisage enhancing and developing the existing relationships and links in order that students would be able to progress to DKIT."