Institute of Technology, Tralee (Ireland)

The Institute of Technology, Tralee (ITT) is a higher education institution located in County Kerry, Ireland. Founded in 1977, ITT now has over 3500 students in three faculties: the School of Business and Social Studies, the School of Engineering and Construction Studies, and the School of Science and Computing. ITT’s mission is “To excel in teaching, research and development work, for the benefit of students, industry and the wider community.” Visit ITT’s website>>

President’s Civic Spirit Award

This award has been established to recognise and acknowledge the significant time input by ITT students to volunteering in the Institute and in the wider community. Criteria for the award include demonstrating commitment to a voluntary initiative. For example, to be eligible for the Gold Award, a student must have dedicated at least 100 hours of service over at least one year. Learn more>>

Service Learning

Contextualised learning has always been the aim of the Institute, where students gain real world experience, in the local community, through work experience inbuilt into academic courses, or through service learning experiences which have been designed as part of course delivery. Numerous courses at ITT have a work placement requirement, which can include placement with an NGO. Some degree programs also require particular volunteer activities. In addition, ITT currently runs two credit-bearing modules for active volunteers. The Community Service Initiative (CSI) module includes lectures and tutorials on how to become a ‘civil servant’, understanding the community and voluntary sector, gaining appreciation of active citizenship, social capital enhancement, and personal reflection, and requires volunteering with a local NGO. The Community Leadership Initiative (CLI) focuses on theories of leadership, its role in communities, active citizenship and social capital development, and also requires volunteering with a local NGO. Learn more>>

Centres Serving the Community

ITT has several centres which focus on providing services to the community. For example, the CARA Adapted Physical Activity Centre focuses on leading, coordinating and supporting the development of sport, physical activity and physical education for people with disabilities. The Sport, Health and Performance Evaluation Centre (SHaPE) operates as a teaching & learning environment for students, while it also engages with the wider community, (sports teams, individual athletes & community groups) for performance and health assessments. Learn more>>