DkIT President, Diarmuid O’Callaghan and Deirdre Buckley, Director of People & Culture at Cliste Hospitality & The iNua Collection recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between DkIT’s Hospitality Department and the iNua Hotel Group.

The agreement, which has been developed through the CREATE-DkIT project, builds on the previous agreement shared with the Gateway Hotel, which has now been extended to the wider iNua Collection. The MoU aims to support cultural and educational exchanges while enhancing practical learning experiences for students and professional development opportunities for both DkIT and iNua. It will explore collaborations for practical exposure and industry understanding, structured work placements and research and innovation, among others.

The MoU was signed following a seminar organised by Dundalk Institute of Technology, in partnership with the Irish Hospitality Institute held on the DkIT campus titled: College to Career, Your Next Steps. It was a significant occasion, as it marked the first time the Irish Hospitality Institute has held an event on the DkIT campus.

Dr Diarmuid O’Callaghan, DkIT President said:

“It was fantastic to have hospitality experts on campus from the Irish Hospitality Institute, Cliste Hospitality and the iNua Collection, Hotel Talent-Broadline Group and the NYX Hotel sharing their valuable industry insights and highlighting key opportunities for career progression with our students. Signing this MoU with iNua is a wonderful step toward strengthening our industry collaborations, ensuring that our students gain optimal practical experiences and networking

opportunities before graduation. This partnership reinforces our commitment to producing work-ready graduates who are prepared to excel in the hospitality sector.”

Deirdre Buckley, Director of People and Culture at Cliste Hospitality and the iNua Collection said:

“I really look forward to growing the collaboration with the Gateway Hotel & wider iNUA Hotel Collection and DkIT. Our company values align well with this initiative and the wider company resources are available to support over the 3-year term and beyond. The hospitality event was a great collaboration between DkIT, the IHI, and industry partners, all of us with the shared objective of engaging the students in the opportunities within our industry. It was a pleasure to visit the school again and to meet the students and the dedicated team behind the scenes.”

Speakers at the College to Career, Your Next Steps seminar included; Deirdre Buckley, Director of People and Culture at Cliste Hospitality and the iNua Collection; Alan Rooney, DkIT Graduate and General Manager at the NYX Hotel Dublin; Patrick McNamara, Brand Manager, Hotel Talent, Broadline Recruiter; and Tina Maree, National Executive Officer at the Irish Hospitality Institute.

Several key themes emerged across the speakers, highlighting the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and relationship-building within the hospitality industry. Deirdre Buckley emphasised the value of innovation, sustainability, data analytics, revenue management, personalisation and streamlined operations as crucial for the industry's future, while also underscoring the importance of fostering relationships and upskilling. Alan, a former DkIT student and the General Manager at NYX, shared insights on the benefit of exploring different roles within the industry to gain a well-rounded perspective and highlighted the importance of supporting team growth. AI and constantly evolving guest expectations were discussed as factors pushing the industry forward, with advice to “stay curious and open-minded.” Patrick McNamara reinforced the importance of tailored CVs, understanding companies before applying, and the need for career development through continuous learning and networking. His key advice: “Dress to succeed” and don’t hesitate to ask the right questions for career guidance.

Tina Maree, the National Executive Officer of the Irish Hospitality Institute (IHI), discussed the organisation's role in supporting managers within Ireland’s hotel, tourism, and hospitality sectors. She highlighted how the IHI fosters career development for its members through conferences, seminars, networking opportunities, and various management training and mentorship programmes.

Tina Maree, National Executive Officer, Irish Hospitality Institute said:

“It was an honour to join both industry and academic colleagues in sharing career insights with students and highlighting the variety of roles our industry offers. As a professional membership body, our objective at IHI is to support our students and professionals at every stage of their career development. We are committed to providing a platform that encourages Continuous Professional Development (CPD), mentoring, and networking opportunities.”

Speaking after the event and MoU signing, Kevin Burns, Head of the Department of Hospitality Studies at DkIT said:

“The MOU with Cliste and iNUA Hospitality strengthens industry-academic collaboration, enhancing student pathways, while the success of the IHI College to Career event showcased the power of partnership in shaping future hospitality leaders."