Collaboration in the development of a Precision Engineering programme at Limerick Institute of Technology in response to a call from industry

A Bachelor of Engineering in Precision Engineering programme at Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) has been created in a collaborative response to the needs of the industry. This new one year duration add-on programme was developed and implemented in an eight month period. The programme differs from the norm in the nature of its development, the integration of industry requirements and the balance of academic requirements. This unique programme offers a flexible mode of delivery where a key attraction for industry is that student may attend two consecutive days per week and work three days per week. Students choosing this option take two years to complete one academic year while gaining professional experience in a world class manufacturing environment. Students not employed in industry may attend on a full time basis. As a result of this collaboration, industry has committed to provide €100,000 to assist LIT in equipping the programme. This coming together of industry and academia has resulted in forming the greater ambition of creating a National Precision Engineering Centre of Excellence to address the long term goals of Ireland's manufacturing industry to develop a constant stream of competent, technical and practically orientated engineers.