Athlone Institute of Technology

{{Infobox university

| name = Athlone Institute of Technology

| native_name = Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Bhaile Átha Luain

| native_name_lang = gle

| image = Athlone Institute of Technology Logo Circa 2015.png

| image_alt = Letters of AIT

| caption = Logo of the institute of technology

| former_name = Athlone Regional Technical College

| motto = {{Langx|en|Connect and Discover}}

| type = Public

| established = {{Start date|1970}}

| closed = {{End date|2021|7|16|df=yes}}

| president = Ciarán Ó Catháin

| academic_staff = 256+

| students = 6,000+

| address = University Road

| city = Athlone

| province = Leinster

| postalcode = N37 HD68

| country = Ireland

| coor = {{Coord|53.41794|-7.90462|display=inline,title}}

| campus = {{convert|18|ha|acre|abbr=off}}

| colours = {{colour box|#EC376C}}{{colour box|#00BDF2}}{{colour box|#FBD330}} Red, blue, and yellow

| website = {{URL|https://ait.ie}}

| logo =

}}

File:TUS Athlone Main Campus Entrance, 2022-12-20.jpg

File:TUS Athlone Engineering & Science Building, 2022-12-20.jpg

File:TUS Athlone John Count McCormack Centre, 2022-12-20.jpg

File:TUS Athlone Sport, 2022-12-20.jpg

The Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT; {{langx|ga|Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Bhaile Átha Luain}}) was an institute of technology, located in Athlone, Ireland. Established in 1970, the institute's campus was located on University Road.

A consortium between itself and the Limerick Institute of Technology was announced with the intention of forming a technological university. On 23 November 2020, the AIT-LIT Consortium announced that the joint Limerick-Athlone IT application for technological university (TU) status had been submitted for approval, which was granted in May 2021.

On 16 July 2021, the institute of technology was officially dissolved and succeeded by the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, which began operations on 1 October 2021.

History

The Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) was established by the Irish government in 1970 as the Athlone Regional Technical College, under control of the local Vocational Education Committee. 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 as the Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT). In 1999, AIT became a validation authority with the power to award HETAC degrees.

In 2000, Ciarán Ó Catháin was appointed as the institute's president. Dr. David Fenton and James Coyle were previous holders of the post, having been called director and principal. In 2001, a School of Humanities was opened. In 2010, then-president of Ireland Mary McAleese spoke at the fortieth anniversary of the college.[https://president.ie/en/media-library/speeches/remarks-by-president-mcaleese-at-the-fortieth-anniversary-dinner-celebratio REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY DINNER CELEBRATION OF ATHLONE IT] Media Library, www.president.ie

The AIT had a campus size of 44 acres, and new, purpose-built facilities that included the Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Studies building, built in 2003; the Nursing and Health Science building and the Midlands Innovation and Research Centre, built in 2005; as well as the Engineering and Informatics building and the Postgraduate Research Hub, built in 2010.{{Cite web |title=Campus Developments |url=http://www.ait.ie/campus/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225936/http://www.ait.ie/campus/ |archive-date=3 March 2016 |access-date=21 December 2021 |website=Athlone Institute of Technology |language=en-IE}} RTÉ's Midlands studio and office have been located at the institute.{{Cite press release |title=2012 press releases - RTA midlands office to be re-located to AIT |date=21 September 2012 |publisher=Athlone Institute of Technology |url=http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2012pressreleases/title-16553-en.html |access-date=8 June 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306013214/http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2012pressreleases/title-16553-en.html |archive-date=2016-03-06}}

The institute had a memorandum of understanding with the Rio de Janeiro State University, one of the largest universities in the Brazilian city.{{Cite press release |title=2012 press releases AIT Signs MoU with Rio de Janeiro State University |date=16 October 2012 |publisher=Athlone Institute of Technology |url=http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2012pressreleases/title-16884-en.html |access-date=8 June 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304004134/http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2012pressreleases/title-16884-en.html |archive-date=4 March 2016}}. It also had agreements with the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, one of the largest Brazilian private universities.{{Cite press release |title=2011 press releases - AIT Signs Agreement with Brazilian University |date=20 November 2011 |publisher=Athlone Institute of Technology |url=http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2011pressreleases/title-12201-en.html |access-date=8 June 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001708/http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2011pressreleases/title-12201-en.html |archive-date=4 March 2016}} The institute also founded agreements with two leading Beijing universities, the Capital University of Economics and Business and the Beijing Union University.[http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2010pressreleases/title-3506-en.html 2010 press releases] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305182901/http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2010pressreleases/title-3506-en.html |date=5 March 2016 }}. Athlone Institute of Technology. (30 March 2010).[http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2010pressreleases/title-4184-en.html 2010 press releases] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306182147/http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2010pressreleases/title-4184-en.html |date=6 March 2016 }}. Athlone Institute of Technology. (12 May 2010). The agreements were signed by the Chinese Ambassador to Ireland and university representatives. Other agreements existed between the institute and TVTC, in Saudi Arabia, and a memorandum of understanding existed with the Georgia Institute of Technology.[http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2010pressreleases/title-2961-en.html 2010 press releases] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051122/http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2010pressreleases/title-2961-en.html |date=4 March 2016 }}. Athlone Institute of Technology. (1 March 2010).[http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2009pressreleases/title-600-en.html 2009 press releases] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104222635/http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2009pressreleases/title-600-en.html |date=4 January 2016 }}. Athlone Institute of Technology. (21 January 2009). Further agreements existed with the Bharati Vidyapeeth, one of the largest universities in India.[http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2009pressreleases/title-593-en.html 2009 press releases] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104222635/http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/newsevents/pressreleases/2009pressreleases/title-593-en.html |date=4 January 2016 }}. Athlone Institute of Technology. (25 August 2009).

= College of sanctuary =

In 2017, AIT became the first designated college of sanctuary in Ireland.{{Cite web |last= |date=16 June 2017 |title=Athlone IT is the first College of Sanctuary in Ireland |url=https://ireland.cityofsanctuary.org/2017/06/16/athlone-it-on-its-way-to-become-a-first-college-of-sanctuary-in-ireland |access-date=2018-11-04 |website=Places of Sanctuary Ireland |quote=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.}}

= AIT-LIT Consortium and dissolution =

In 2018, the institute had investigated the possibility of becoming a university in its own right. A consortium between itself and the Limerick Institute of Technology was announced in October 2019 with the intention of forming a technological university. On 23 November 2020, the AIT-LIT Consortium announced that the joint Limerick-Athlone IT application for technological university (TU) status had been submitted for approval. Approval was announced in May 2021 by minister of Higher Education, Simon Harris.{{Cite web |last=Kelly Palenque |first=Brendan |date=5 May 2021 |title=Limerick IT and Athlone IT to merge to form new technological university |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/limerick-it-and-athlone-it-to-merge-to-form-new-technological-university-40388958.html |access-date=5 May 2021 |website=Independent.ie |language=en-IE}}

On 16 July 2021, both itself and the Limerick Institute of Technology were officially dissolved through a signed order by the minister.{{Cite news |date=16 July 2021 |title=Athlone IT Officially Dissolved Today |language=en-IE |work=Midlands 103 |url=https://www.midlands103.com/news/midlands-news/athlone-it-officially-dissolved-today/ |access-date=10 June 2022}} The institute was succeeded by the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, which began operations on 1 October 2021.{{Cite news |date=16 July 2021 |title=Minister signs order to dissolve AIT and establish new technological university |language=en-IE |work=Offaly Independent |url=https://www.offalyindependent.ie/2021/07/16/minister-signs-order-to-dissolve-ait-and-establish-new-technological-university/ |access-date=10 June 2022}}

Facilities

The Goldsmith Library, named after Oliver Goldsmith, novelist, playwright and poet
McCormack Hall, performance venue named after John McCormack, tenor
Northgate street, former site of art and design, to be converted in to a digital hub{{Cite web |last=Verney |first=Deirdre |date=29 September 2023 |title=Design work for revamp of former RTC building to begin |url=https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2023/09/29/design-work-for-revamp-of-former-rtc-building-to-begin/ |website=Westmeath Independent}}

= AIT International Arena =

File:Athlone IT.jpg

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.{{Cite web |title=AIT International Arena – Athlone Institute of Technology |url=http://www.ait.ie/internationalarena/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118072003/http://www.ait.ie/internationalarena/ |archive-date=18 January 2016 |access-date=14 November 2015 |df=dmy-all}}

Notable alumni

{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|

Arts and Media

Anne Rigney, contemporary visual artist and sculptor{{Cite web |title=Mixed media exhibition to be launched at Culture Night |url=https://www.advertiser.ie/athlone/article/72211/mixed-media-exhibition-to-be-launched-at-culture-night | date=11 September 2014 }}
Jacksepticeye, Irish YouTuber{{Cite web |title=Jacksepticeye "flies back to Athlone" in new video |url=https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2020/08/21/jacksepticeye-flies-back-to-athlone-in-new-video/ | date=21 August 2020 }}
Yewande Biala, Love Island contestant{{Cite web |title=Yewande Biala: Meet the Dublin scientist entering the Love Island villa |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/celebrity/arid-30927269.html | date=28 May 2019 }}

Politics

Justin Barrett, Irish politician{{Cite web |title=Taking on the big boys |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/taking-on-the-big-boys-1.1097804 | date=5 October 2002 | author=Deaglan de Breadun | publisher= Irish Times }}
Gabrielle McFadden, Fine Gael politician
Nicky McFadden, Fine Gael politician{{Cite web |title=Nicky McFadden honoured by Athlone Institute of Technology |url=https://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/2014/01/27/nicky-mcfadden-honoured-by-athlone-institute-of-technology/ | date=27 January 2024 }}
Robert Troy, Fianna Fáil politician

Sports

David McGowan, rugby union player
Shane Lowry, golfer{{Cite web |title=British Open champion Shane Lowry, an amazing Irish success story |url=https://www.irishcentral.com/news/shane-lowry-amazing-irish-success-story | date=21 July 2019 }}
Declan Qualter, hurler
Bundee Aki, rugby union player

}}