Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) and Irish building contractor, Walls Construction have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to further develop the relationship between both organisations. The new corporate partnership reflects the institute’s on-going commitment to industry engagement for the purposes of research, innovation, graduate employment and education. The agreement with the Dublin headquartered company will focus on four principal areas:
• Workforce Training and Education including bespoke course development and delivery in areas such as engineering and construction management, BIM (Building Information Modelling), Lean Construction and management skills. The agreement will also enable closer collaboration through participation on academic-industry programme boards and focus groups.
• Access to DkIT Graduates & Student Talent through student project work, participation at on-campus careers events and the joint development of graduate programmes.
• Access to Research & Innovation Collaboration through applied research opportunities, leveraged funding for R&D and developing a Centre of Excellence for Walls Construction at the Regional Development Centre at DkIT.
• Sponsorship opportunities in the areas of academic prizes and local corporate social responsibility initiatives.
The official announcement took place in DkIT on Thursday 20th February 2020 and was attended by members of the senior leadership from Walls including Adrian Corcoran, Construction Director and Niamh Barry, Training & Development Manager, along with DkIT President, Michael Mulvey, PhD, Head of Business Development & Innovation at DKT, Aidan Browne and Head of School of Engineering at DkIT, Dr Tom Dooley.
Adrian Corcoran, Construction Director at Walls is a graduate of Civil Engineering at DkIT. He said: “Emerging technologies such as BIM, artificial intelligence and off-site construction are impacting on a sector that has grown significantly in the last five years. Aided by industry engagement, the education sector can make a major contribution, including research and development, incubation space and the design and delivery of programmes, that will benefit productivity, affordability, quality and health and safety in construction. This agreement fuses student, graduate and experienced professional talent in a way that benefits all parties, not least by providing career opportunities for the Engineering and Built Environment graduates of DkIT.”
The partnership with Walls is an important component within DkIT’s wider Corporate Partnership Programme with industry and the community, which is led by the Regional Development Centre at DkIT and will roll out over the next five years.
Michael McDonnell Managing Editor of Irish Construction Industry Magazine & Plan Magazine
