Strengthening Connections: A Busy Year of Schools Engagement and Outreach at DkIT
As another successful academic year draws to a close, DkIT's Schools Liaison and Outreach Programme continues to strengthen connections with prospective students, schools, guidance counsellors, careers teachers and careers advisers, and communities across the region. Through school visits, careers events, and on-campus activities, DkIT has continued to showcase the range of opportunities available and support students as they make decisions about their future pathways.
The 2025/26 academic year has been one of the busiest to date, with extensive engagement taking place with schools, students, and education partners across the island of Ireland. Maintaining strong relationships with schools, guidance counsellors, careers teachers and careers advisers, students, parents, and community organisations remains a key priority for the Institute, ensuring that students have access to clear and timely information when considering their options in higher education.
One recent highlight was DkIT's participation at the Spring Conference of the Northern Ireland Schools & Colleges Careers Association (NISCA). Representing the Institute, Dr Diarmuid O'Callaghan, President of Dundalk Institute of Technology, and Dr Sheila Flanagan, Vice President for Academic Affairs & Registrar, delivered presentations to careers teachers, careers advisers, and guidance professionals. The event provided an excellent opportunity to engage directly with careers professionals, answer queries, promote the Institute, and highlight the range of opportunities available to prospective students through established guidance networks. Diarmuid Cahill was also present throughout the conference, engaging with attendees and promoting the Institute.
School engagement remains central to DkIT's outreach work. Throughout the year, school visits, presentations, careers exhibitions, and guidance events have allowed the Schools Liaison Office to connect directly with thousands of students. Most recently, Diarmuid Cahill visited Shimna Integrated College as part of its “Looking Ahead” programme. Now in its fourth year, the initiative continues to grow from strength to strength, giving students valuable opportunities to explore education and career pathways beyond school. DkIT was delighted to take part and speak to the full year group about the range of study options available at the Institute.
Alongside this work, Louise Duffy has continued to play an important role in supporting outreach activity through engagement with community groups, Transition Year (TY) students, and prospective learners from a wide range of backgrounds. Working closely with colleagues across the Institute, she helps connect learners with information, guidance, and opportunities to explore higher education pathways at DkIT.
Looking ahead, planning is well underway for a major Dundalk Schools Careers Fair, hosted by DkIT in DkIT Sport on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, in partnership with local schools. The event will bring together students, educators, and education providers from across the region, providing a valuable opportunity for career exploration and strengthening links between DkIT and its school partners.
The year ahead is shaping up to be equally busy, with DkIT continuing to engage with students and guidance professionals at a wide range of events. The outreach calendar will once again see the Schools Liaison team travel extensively, representing the Institute at national exhibitions, regional careers fairs, and school-based events.
Some of the key engagements include The Irish Times Higher Options exhibition at Dublin’s RDS (16–18 September 2026), Navan Future Options (15 October 2026), Ardgillan Community College Careers Night (22 October 2026), St Finian’s Community College Careers Fair in Swords (4 November 2026), the Bettystown Careers Fair (10 November 2026), Boyne Community School’s Pathways Expo (19 November 2026), and St Oliver’s Community College Careers Fair in Oldcastle (26 November 2026).
In addition to external events, DkIT will continue to welcome students and families to campus through a full programme of on-campus information events. These provide prospective students with the opportunity to meet academic staff, explore facilities, and get a real sense of student life at DkIT.
Key dates for 2026/27 include:
• November Open Evening
Wednesday, 18 November 2026, 4.00pm–8.00pm, Multi-Purpose Centre
• Schools Open Day
Thursday, 19 November 2026, 10.00am–1.00pm, Multi-Purpose Centre
• CAO and Undergraduate Course Information Morning
Saturday, 16 January 2027, 10.00am–1.00pm, Muirhevna Building
• DkIT Guidance Counsellor & Careers Event
Tuesday, 13 April 2027, 12.00pm–3.00pm, Muirhevna Building
• Spring Open Evening & Taster Event
Wednesday, 14 April 2027, 4.00pm–7.00pm, Campus Wide
It has been another busy year for the Schools Liaison and Outreach Programme, with strong engagement across schools, communities, and guidance networks. The team looks forward to building on this work in the year ahead and continuing to welcome students, parents, and school partners to campus in 2026/27.
