Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT) fosters one of the most progressive learning environments in Ireland. Our reach is both local and international; attracting a diverse student body of more than 4,000 students from Ireland and 31 countries across the globe. They choose LYIT because of our unique ethos that harnesses academic excellence with career-focused practical experience. It’s an approach that positions our students for future success in line with their aspirations. We also foster close relationships with the wider local community. Our engagement and partnerships with indigenous and international businesses leaders strengthens our student’s prospects in tandem with the prosperity of the region’s economy. Our modern integrated campuses in Letterkenny and Killybegs aren’t just gateways to a bright future, but to one of the most breathtaking corners of the world - with Donegal named National Geographic’s ‘Coolest Place on the Planet 2017’. There’s just so much to discover. So take your time, and stay a while to explore our website and see why LYIT is the place to be.LYIT is an organisation that likes to move with the times. We realise our role in providing opportunities for all of those who study with us; we have to be proactive in developing a suite of courses that give the best opportunity to progress in life. LYIT will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2021. Originally established as the Donogh O’Malley Regional Technical College, the Institute has evolved to become a comprehensive third level college. It was renamed Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT) in 1998. In addition, the Tourism College Killybegs (established in 1969 and renamed in 1992) became an academic school of LYIT in 2007.The Institute has gone from strength to strength through an impressive capital development programme allied to an expansion in the range and level of programmes now offered. All academic programmes up to Level 10 on the National Qualifications Framework are offered are offered in LYIT. The Institute is currently implementing its Strategic Plan 2019 – 2023 and, in conjunction with the evolving national higher education strategy, LYIT is determined to maintain its strong standing in the Irish higher education system. This will result in LYIT with its partners in IT Sligo and GMIT being designated as a Technological University from 1 April 2022.Higher education is seen as a means to a better life. While recognising things have been difficult over the last number of years, it is important that we remain positive and that we exploit opportunities that will arise. Higher education provides the means to navigate difficult waters and at LYIT we will not be found wanting. There is more to college than attending lectures, and at LYIT we are proud of the community spirit that has developed on campus whether in Letterkenny or Killybegs that makes us different from other third level institutions. I encourage you to become a part of this community spirit and to join us on the stimulating journey of change that we’ve set in motion.Letterkenny was rejected as a suitable site for a Regional Technical College, though this was later overturned. It is one of the original networks of Regional Technical Colleges established in various towns decided to be suitable for the requirements (such as Carlow in the south east and Dundalk, north of the capital Dublin), namely to deal with the chronic shortage of technicians with the skills required to enter the workforce. Messrs Mehon and MacPhillips were brought from Kilkenny as contractors of the building. The Regional Technical College, Letterkenny's construction occurred in the absence of any clarity as to its purpose or function and such was the rapidity of work that the provision of information about services that the building would contain was not disseminated with any efficiency – in other words, the services were of secondary importance to getting the building off the ground.It opened in 1971, with Danny O'Hare as first principal (1971-1974). Patrick O'Donnell, PC, UDC, the Vice-Chairman of the Donegal Vocational Education Committee, accepted the building's key in May 1971. The inaugural meeting of an entity known as the "council", acting in an advisory capacity on policy and resources to board of management (at same meeting O'Donnell was elected chairman), announced that the instruction of technicians would begin early the following month, reported the Donegal News early in September 1971, with a three-year course on business studies, a two-year course in secretarial studies and two-year courses on civil and mechanical engineering the first to be advertisd. Dr D O'Hare admitted that the scholarship grant was inadequate and would affect admissions from elsewhere in Donegal but said the Regional Technical College was "here to serve the people". The Regional Technical College began functioning on a Tuesday in October 1971 with an attendance of 170, some travelling all the way from Glencolmcille, and staff that were not very experienced with the eldest being 35 years of age. The staff that the thing had numbered 15, the Engineering Department had an acting head and a Mr Patten headed the Business Department. This not being a satisfactory state of affairs, in November 1971, public meetings were conducted to demonstrate the ways the Regional Technical College could get part-time admissions from the public further away from the town, and more than 90 but not quite the full 100 people attended in Glenties. O'Hare, however, was gone within three years.
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