LIT Welcomes Recommendations to Develop Limerick as a Centre for Teacher Training

Dr Maria Hinfelaar, President of LIT has welcomed the recommendation set out in a report from an international group of experts that proposes the concentration of teacher training providers in Limerick. The report was commissioned by the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn to identify new possible structures to improve teacher education in Ireland so that it is comparable with the best in the world. The Minister signalled last week that he would adopt the recommendations and task the Higher Education Authority with working out implementation details.

Speaking from LIT this week Dr Hinfelaar said, “LIT welcomes the publication of this report and looks forward to intensifying collaboration and exploring synergies with the University of Limerick and Mary Immaculate College to develop Limerick as a Centre of Excellence for teacher training at all levels. LIT particularly welcomes recommendations that the Higher Diploma in Art for Art and Design Teachers will continue to be embedded in the LIT School of Art and Design where we have the staff expertise and creative environment necessary to produce high calibre teachers in the field.”

LIT has strong existing ties with the University of Limerick and Mary Immaculate College through the Shannon Consortium which was established in 2006 along with Tralee IT to allow the four institutes to engage in joint access programmes, teaching and learning innovations and led to the establishment of a highly successful joint procurement network.

Last week LIT unveiled plans for a €200m Campus Masterplan in response to unprecedented growth in student numbers across LIT discipline areas such as Art and Design, Engineering and Humanities.

For further information contact:
Mona Khan
Presidents Office
Limerick Institute of Technology
Phone: 061 208807
Direct: 061 208454