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DkIT Launches New Back To College Information Portal For Students

28 August 2020

Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) has launched a new information portal for DkIT students to support them as they prepare to commence or return to college in September.  The portal will act as the central communications channel for students, keeping them informed with the latest information relating to back to college arrangements this September.

In developing plans for next semester, the DkIT’s foremost priority continues to be the health and wellbeing of its student and staff community. The Institute is therefore making some necessary changes to the way it operates to ensure adherence to public health guidelines and help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.



Speaking today, President of DkIT, Michael Mulvey, PhD said, 

“We are delighted to confirm plans for our next academic term with the launch of the information portal. Staff across the Institute are working extremely hard to ensure that all students can commence or continue their studies without further disruption. I would like to again commend the dedication of staff across the college and to thank our students for their continued patience and cooperation. It is evident that student life and the college experience in 2020/21 will be different to previous years due to the ongoing health emergency. However, we are committed to ensuring that students continue to have access to high-quality supports and services as they progress through their higher education journey. DkIT has a long-standing reputation for providing a highly supportive teaching and learning environment for students and with new plans in place, this will not change. I encourage all students to stay informed by checking our website and email regularly as new information is released.”

The new information portal provides advice and guidelines in relation to key topics such as start dates, health & safety, timetables, teaching & learning and the student experience. A summary of key information can be found below.

Key Start Dates:

  • Online registration is now open for returning students. For more information visit dkit.ie/registration/returning-students
  • Induction for first year students will take place on the 28th September. Classes for first years are scheduled to commence from this date.
  • Classes will commence for all other students on the 30th September.

Steps to Safely Return to College:

Students should complete the below 2 steps before returning to college on 30th September.

  1. All 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.
  2. All students must complete the online COVID-19 training before returning to campus.

Information on Registration & Induction will be provided to incoming first year students once they have accepted an offer by DkIT. Induction for first years will take place from 28th September 2020.

Health & Safety:

DkIT has introduced stringent new health and safety protocols to minimise the risk of infection transmission while on campus and to ensure a safe learning environment for students. These include areas such as training, contact tracing, personal hygiene measures, cleaning protocols, social distancing, face-coverings and guidance around travel and access, as summarised below:

  • Training & Information: Students will be required to complete mandatory induction training before returning to campus which will advise and inform them about staying safe while on campus. Regular communications will be provided to continue to inform and engage students.
  • Contact Tracing: Students are urged to download the COVID-19 Tracker app as part of their registration process. Other measures around contact tracing will be implemented across the institute to support the track and trace directive.
  • Good hand and respiratory hygiene protocols will be encouraged by staff and students while on campus and sanitiser stations are now positioned at all access points, along with public health signage across the campus.
  • Cleaning: Enhanced cleaning protocols have been introduced across all work areas that are used by students, staff and visitors along with frequently touched surfaces/objects. 
  • Social Distancing: In order to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19, a social distancing of minimum 2 metres has been recommended by the HSE. 
  • Face Coverings: DkIT is strongly recommending that students and staff use face coverings when possible while on campus. Students should bring their own face coverings when attending DkIT.
  • Travel To Campus: 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. 
  • Access: In the interest of health and safety, we will be implementing a number of important measures to limit the number of people accessing the campus at any given time. 

Teaching & Learning

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 approach to teaching and learning. Our staff continues to work out the safest options for these academic plans and timetables for the next semester. For now, the following guidance has been provided to students:

  1. Almost all lectures in Semester 1 will be delivered remotely.
  2. The Institute aims to deliver some practical classes on campus which will be delivered in accordance with COVID 19 public health guidelines so it is likely that students will be on campus a few days per week.
  3. Academic timetables will be shared with students in early September.
  4. It is very difficult to plan in the current fluid circumstances and the Institute may have to make changes if unforeseen circumstances arise.

Student Experience:

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. The Institute is 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. All supports and services will continue to be made available to students.

  • All services will accessed by appointment only.
  • Students will be able to access the services both in person and remotely.

Further information on student experience can be found here.

The Institute has welcomed new funding supports from the Government to support students, staff and higher education institutions at this time. Additional funding will provide opportunities to provide digital, welfare and pastoral supports to students at this challenging time.

 

 

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