Student Profiles
Much More than Ones and Zeroes
Gillian McDonagh - Business Computing student
I am currently in second year of the business computing degree at AIT. I became interested in doing this course after I completed an ECDL and computer studies course in Moate Business College. I find the course excellent and really enjoy modules like programming design practice and computer applications.
During my first year at AIT, I was offered a modelling contract with Rogue Model Management, an up-and-coming modelling agency based in Dublin. I very much enjoy modelling which has to be balanced with my college work, but it is all worth it.
Studying and going to every lecture is essential if you’re to do well. College life in AIT is good, as I have made many friends, and the lecturers are all very friendly and will help you with any problems. The college has all the amenities could want. Living in Mullingar, I travel to the college every day. The journey only takes 40 minutes or less, which is fantastic.
Overall AIT is a great college and balancing my modelling career with it is not that difficult, as long as I take time to study and keep up to date with everything in class. I really enjoy going to AIT.
Innovation Award Finalist
Karl Satchwell - Construction & Civil Engineering student
Third year construction and civil works student, Karl Satchwell, from Ballintubber, Castlerea, Co Roscommon, was one of three students shortlisted for Engineers Ireland’s Innovative Student of the Year Award (Level 7) for 2009. When the results were announced in June, Karl was declared runner-up and was presented with a certificate and a cheque for €250.
Karl’s research which explored using rubber from truck and car tyres to make concrete, instead of sand, offers considerable potential for recycling the hundreds of millions of waste tyres which are disposed each year. It also has potential for creating a new form of concrete which is better able to withstand stress than plain concrete.
According to Karl, “I replaced the fine aggregate or sand with crumb rubber, which is derived from truck and car tyres, at different replacement percentages. I tested the concrete for compressive stress, workability, its thermal performances and its density. The compressive stress was reduced as the crumb rubber content increased, but it illustrated an extraordinary tough and ductile behaviour in comparison to plain concrete, even though it failed at a lesser stress.
“My findings illustrated that crumb rubber concrete doesn’t show brittle behaviour whereas plain concrete does. This is due to the ability of rubber to absorb energy when a force is applied. This tells us that this new concrete can absorb most forms of energy and may be used in areas where high energy seismic waves are released from earthquakes. Using this new form of concrete may leave structures stable, thus saving lives or insure the safety of structures from trains or other locomotives passing buildings as shaking energy is released. Also when this concrete fails, it doesn’t do so immediately but more gradually, while failing shatter-free unlike plain concrete. This suggests that this type of concrete could be used as highway barriers where shatter-free properties are a must,” Karl said.
His research also proved that crumb rubber concrete exhibits superior thermal performance, which would have many commercial uses. It may also have use as material for sound barriers, due to its noise reduction properties. There are also environmental benefits to crumb rubber concrete in reducing the stock piles of waste rubber, which is a growing global problem.
Having successfully passed his exams with a distinction, Karl is planning to progress to the BEng (Honours) in Civil Engineering at AIT. This two-year programme covers topics ranging from infrastructure design, traffic engineering, water supply, hydraulics, as well as rock and soil properties, amongst others. Prior to completing his BEng in Construction/Civil Works, Karl undertook a Higher Certificate in Civil Engineering at AIT, and attended secondary school at Castlerea Community School.
Getting Maximum Benefit from the Facilities
Mark McCormack - Tourism & Sport student
I'm in the fourth year of my tourism and sport degree. I am thrilled that I made the choice to study in Athlone because the college has a good reputation in developing and enhancing student’s skills and education for the career path you chose.
The facilities on offer in the college was also a main reason to study in AIT because from participating in GAA and using the astro-turf pitch, gym, athletic track and indoor facilities, I have made many friends from playing sport and socialising in the college campus.
I would recommend AIT to any student interested in studying Sport and Recreation with Business, because I have developed as a person from studying the range of modules on offer from Sport Studies to Sport Psychology and Financial Management, and the course and college lets you develop a career path that suits you and your future.
Runners-Up at National Chemistry Competition
David White and Alan Byrne - Toxicology students
Two second year toxicology students at AIT were amongst the prize winners at a prestigious national chemistry competition held in Dublin in 2009. Daniel White from Banagher, Co Offaly, and Alan Byrne from Ballyforan, Ballinasloe, Co Galway, came in joint second place at the Eurachem Analytical Measurement Competition (EAMC).
The competition is promoted by Eurachem Ireland, the Heads of School of Science and the Council of Directors of the Institutes of Technology. It is open to teams of full-time third-level students studying laboratory sciences in universities or institutes of technology who have not yet entered the third year of their course. The event is designed to raise awareness among student analysts of uncertainty in measurement and the requirement for excellence in analytical skills.
Chemistry in AIT has a long tradition and Athlone teams were previously runners-up in 1999 and 2005, when the Eurachem competition was staged at the institute. Ten years ago, at the very first competition, Antoinette Reid and Michelle Conway, came in second place for AIT.
The Eurachem competition is supported by industry (Mason Technology has been the main sponsor in recent years), by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and by the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland. The judges are practicing analytical chemists from the state laboratory, the Garda forensic laboratory, the EPA and industry.
