IT Sligo has taken a significant step towards realising its vision for the establishment of a new Centre of Excellence in Precision Engineering at the institute, with the approval of a new Level 8 Honours Degree in Precision Engineering and Design.
Since its foundation in 1970, the college, as the National Centre for Training for the Toolmaking Industry, has developed and delivered a range of specialist programmes in Tool Design, Computer-Aided Precision Engineering, Mouldmaking Technology, Polymer Processing and Product Design.
With the approval by the external validation panel of this new degree programme, IT Sligo now offers courses in Precision Engineering and Design at Higher Certificate (Level 6) Ordinary Degree (Level 7), and Honours Degree (Level 8). The School of Engineering and Design is currently proceeding with orders for a range of advanced equipment including computer-controlled milling machines, electro-discharge machines, coordinate measuring machine, and a turning centre.
These new courses have been developed in close consultation with industry to meet clearly-identified demand for graduates specialising in areas such as mould design, computer-aided engineering, metrology, validation, polymer processing, and lean manufacturing. Graduates with these skills are currently being sought by advanced manufacturing companies in the Medical Device, Pharmaceutical, Automotive, Renewable Energy, and General Mechanical Engineering sectors.
The validation of this new course follows the recent designation by Enterprise Ireland of the Precision Engineering and Manufacturing (PEM) Research Centre at IT Sligo as a Technology Gateway. This research centre will provide funding to support the technology and research needs of the precision manufacturing sector.
All of these developments form part of IT Sligo’s strategic priority to develop a Centre of Excellence in Precision Engineering as a national resource for manufacturing industry. The institute has recently applied to the Higher Education Authority for significant additional funding to realise its vision for a world-class centre of excellence.
Photo caption:
Staff from IT Sligo’s School of Engineering & Design with members of the External Validation anel which has approved the Institute’s new Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) degree programme in Precision Engineering and Design.