COVID-19 Updates: See latest information for 2020/21 applicants, DkIT staff and students via our dedicated webpage Read More.
This portal has been designed to provide you, our students with the latest information you need to return safely to the campus in September and to provide guidance on what you can expect from the semester ahead.
This page was last reviewed and updated at 17.15 on 21st October 2020.
At DkIT we're committed to doing everything within our power to keep our community safe and well. To do this, we have to make some necessary changes to the way we operate to ensure adherance to public health guidelines and help prevent the spread of this virus.
Student life and the college experience in 2020/21 will be different to previous years due to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic. However, staff across the Institute are working hard to ensure that all students can commence or continue their studies without further disruption. We are committed to ensuring that students have access to high-quality supports and services as they progress through their higher education journey.
The Institute’s priority continues to be the health and wellbeing of our community.
Student services in conjunction with the DkIT Students' Union have developed a new COVID-19 Student Charter which sets out the Institute's commitment to our students and outlines what is expected from our students throughout the new academic year.
Separate communications will be provided to guide and support international students over the coming weeks as they return to DkIT. Please keep an eye on your inbox and this page for the latest information.
Advice for 2020 International StudentsAll continuing students must register online for the 2020/21 academic year. This process include a self-declaration form self-certifying you are safe to return to campus.
All students must complete the online COVID-19 training before returning to campus.
All students must read and follow the new new COVID-19 Student Charter which was developed by the DkIT Student Services and the DkIT SU teams.
The Insitute is strongly recommending that all students and staff members download and use the COVID Tracker app. COVID Tracker is a free app for your mobile phone. It will help us to protect each other and slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ireland.
Visit the COVID Tracker App Website
Download on App Store (iOS) | Download on Google Play (Android)
It is important to recognise the risk presented by COVID-19 and to understand we how we can protect ourselves and others from the spread of this virus.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 or COVID-19 is a virus that poses a public health risk to all citizens. The pandemic which has arisen has implications for all workplaces as it can present a health risk to workers and other persons at a place of work, in DkIT’s case, students and visitors. As the country tries to navigate its way back from lockdown, the provision of certain public health measures is necessary to reduce the risk of spread of the virus. These measures are of course in addition to the normal routine occupational health and safety measures in use currently. Managing the risk of spread in the workplace is vitally important in relation to the health of Institute staff and students but is also important as part of the country’s general efforts to control the spread and protect the most vulnerable in our society.
Infection with the virus that causes COVID-19 can cause illness ranging from mild to severe. In some cases, it can unfortunately be fatal. It can take anything from 2 days to 14 days for symptoms of Coronavirus to appear. They can be similar to the symptoms of cold and flu.
Common symptoms of Coronavirus include:
a fever (high temperature – 38 degrees Celsius or above)
a cough – this can be any kind of cough, not just dry
Other symptoms may include a sore throat, loss of smell and taste. Some people infected with the virus (asymptomatic) have experienced no symptoms at all.
For the complete list of symptoms please refer to the HSE website www.hse.ie
The virus that causes COVID-19 disease is spread from a person in fluid and in droplets scattered from the nose and/or mouth of an infected person when the person with the virus coughs, sneezes or speaks. The fluid or droplets land on objects and surfaces around the infected person. Other people then contaminate their hands by touching these objects or surfaces and bring the virus into contact with their eyes, nose or mouth by touching them with their now contaminated hands. The virus can also spread if droplets from an infected person land directly on the mucous membranes of the eye, nose or mouth or a person standing close to them.
As little is known about this new virus, it is not known how long the virus survives on surfaces in different varying conditions. The period of survival may vary under different conditions such as the type of surface, temperature, humidity etc. Studies seem to indicate that it can persist on surfaces for hours and even up to several days in the absence of effective cleaning.
While people are most likely to pass on the infection when they have symptoms, current medical information suggests that some infected people spread the virus to others prior to developing or displaying symptoms themselves. This is why it is essential to maintain good hand hygiene and good cough and sneeze etiquette.
The following are key control measures required for managing the spread of the virus.
Hand Hygiene:
Social Distancing:
Cough Etiquette / Respiratory Hygiene:
Cleaning:
If students feel unwell and have symptoms of COVID-19 you should stay at home, self-isolate and telephone your GP, the Student Health Unit (0429370245) or the HSE (1850 241 850). If the student is already on campus, they should make efforts to self-isolate immediately by either going home or (where this is not possible) they should make use of the self-isolation room (located in the Student Function Room (Old College Bar) located in the Faulkner Building. Please follow the instructions included in this flow-chart.
We have introduced new health & safety protocols to minimise the risk of infection transmission while on campus and to ensure a safe learning environment for students.
Good hand and respiratory hygiene is effective for preventing the spread of of COVID-19. New hygiene protocols will be encouraged by staff and students while on campus and sanitiser stations are now positioned at all access points.
Enhanced cleaning protocols have been introduced across all work areas that are used by students, staff and visitors along with frequently touched surfaces/objects.
The wearing of face coverings is now mandatory while on campus. DkIT students and staff must use face coverings when possible while on campus. Students should bring their own face coverings when attending DkIT.
Wherever possible, all students should travel to campus alone using their own means of transport. If public transport is required, all measures should be taken to reduce the risks through social distancing, hand washing, face-coverings etc.
DkIT has put together a list of frequently asked questions about your health and safety when returning to campus.
Please remain at home, do not come into the Institute.
Stay calm. If you have a temperature take Paracetamol. Rest in bed and take plenty of fluids.
Self isolate. Please see Self-Isolation and Self-Quarantine for advice on how to do this.
Please telephone your own GP to discuss your symptoms. If a Covid-19 test is required your GP will organise the test for you. Do not attend your GP in person.
If you have no GP please contact the Student Health Unit on +353 (0)42 9370245. You will be triaged by telephone and a Covid-19 test will be organised for you. Do not go to the Health Unit in person.
Please telephone your own GP to discuss your symptoms. If a Covid-19 test is required your GP will organise the test for you. Do not attend your GP in person.
If you have no GP please contact the Student Health Unit on 042 9370245. You will be triaged by telephone and a Covid-19 test will be organised for you. Do not go to the Health Unit in person.
Please follow the HSE guidelines for Self-Isolation and Self-Quarantine.
When a person is confirmed as being positive for Covid-19 they will be contacted by a member of the HSE testing/tracing team. Guidance will be given by them. For further information see the latest guidelines from HSE.
Please inform a member of staff or contact the Student Health Unit by email on healthunit@dkit.ie.
DkIT is committed to providing the highest quality of education possible to our students. We are confident that this can be achieved whilst adhering to strict health and safety protocols which will safeguard our community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2020/21 we will be adopting a blended approeach to teaching and learning.
Plans are being developed in accordance with the 'Principles and Guidelines for the delivery of Higher Education Programmes in the 2020/21 Academic Year in the context of the Covid-19 Pandemic' and the Implementation Guidelines for Public Health Measures in HEIs.
DkIT has put together a list of frequently asked questions related to teaching and learning when returning to campus.
The Minister for Further and Higher Education has introduced a Covid-19 Once Off Emergency Grant of €250 for EU full time students in 3rd Level Education.
Students in receipt of a grant:
Students in receipt of a grant via SUSI, will receive their payment directly from SUSI. First tranche of payments from SUSI was made on 18th December 2020. If you are in receipt of grant but SUSI do not have your bank details, please contact SUSI to do so as soon as possible.
Students who are not in a receipt of a grant:
The credit of €250.00 has been applied to your account and any student that is in a credit situation, would have received an email from Dundalk Institute of Technology, requesting the student to complete a form with their bank details before the deadline of Tuesday 19thJanuary 2021, in order to receive the payment before the end of February 2021.
DkIT is actively planning for a student experience that will be student-centric and on-campus as much as is permitted within the guidelines at the time. We are very conscious that in tandem with getting course delivery right, that new first years get to enjoy the authentic student experience of new friends, new relationships, social and cultural activities, participating in sports clubs and societies.
As part of our commitments to student experience the Institute established a working group including representatives from Student Support Services, Students Union, Academic Support Services and relevant Professional Services Staff.
Here are some of the aims and objectives identified by the working group:
DkIT has put together a list of frequently asked questions related your experience when returning to campus.
We expect that the volume of people who will be on campus at any given time next semester will be very substantially reduced. The precise level of this will become clearer as our planning progresses. At all times, DkIT adheres to the latest public health guidelines.
Health Unit Service during Covid-19 restrictions
All supports and services will continue to be made available to students.
We are committed to maintaining all existing supports and services for students. However in order to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students and staff we have made some adjustments which are summarised below:
All supports and services will continue to be made available to students.
Please do not feel alone or isolated or anxious during this time contact us at counsellor@dkit.ie. Do try to keep in touch with each other via class WhatsApp groups etc.
The Student Disability Service may be contacted on disability@dkit.ie.
Continuing Students:
All queries to the Access Service should be made via email to eileen.lynch@dkit.ie.
The Careers & Employability Centre will continue to provide career development advice and support. Visit our Careers Connect portal to book appointments, search job and graduate opportunities, book your place in employability events and workshops and access resources.
- Virtual 1-to-1 Appointments will be available to book via Careers Connector by emailing careers@dkit.ie
- Careers Workshops will be delivered online and are bookable via Careers Connect
- Career Fairs and Employer presentations will take place virtually throughout the academic year, and will update Careers Connect with the details of all events, so keep checking
Please Note:
- If at any stage are unsure about your course, whether that is thinking of transferring or withdrawing, be sure to discuss with a Careers Adviser before making your decision.
- Final Year students: many graduate programmes will have closing dates from early October, please make an appointment to discuss your options
- Career planning is an important aspect of each year of study, use this semester to get your career plan in place, log on to Careers Connect to register on workshops and events, book an appointment with a careers adviser
Follow us on Social Media @dkitcareers
Pastoral Care is an independent service (not connected to any faith and belief system) which helps DkIT students, this includes supporting students:
The Pastoral Care Coordinator is Niall Byrne, Niall has a DkIT out of office hours telephone and can be contacted on +353 (0)87 7500466 and pastoralcare@dkit.ie.
If you require further information or have any queries in relation to your examination results you can contact your relevant department by either e-mailing or telephoning any of the persons below. Please ensure you give your Student ID number, Full Name, Programme and Stage.
The DkIT De Chastelain Library is making preparations to reopen to students in September. Strict health and safety measure will be put in place in accordance with public health guidelines.
The following has been considered:
As part of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the institute has developed a detailed operating plan to support the staff return to campus for DkIT staff & students. The document was developed with input from across the Institute and is aimed at introducing a safe and streamlined approach to returning staff and students to campus, in line with the Government’s and the HSE's recommendations on the management of COVID-19.
We welcome your feedback on how we can improve our information to you at this time.
General Enquiries:
Registration Enquiries:
Timetable/Course Enquiries:
COVID-19 Enquiries:
