Support & Advice

Dundalk Institute of Technology

Founded in 1971, Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT) serves the North-East region and is located close to the border with Northern Ireland. It is one of the longest established Institutes within its sector and draws over 80% of its students from Counties Louth, Meath, Cavan, Monaghan and North County Dublin. It has a student population of c.5,000 students pursuing third level programmes at Certificate, Diploma, Degree and Post Graduate levels in Engineering, Science, Nursing Studies, Computing, Hospitality Studies, Business and Humanities.

Regional Development Centre

Established in 1989 by Dundalk Institute of Technology, the Regional Development Centre (RDC) has acted as the Institute's Innovation Support and Technology Transfer organisation. Entrepreneurs with innovative Business propositions, existing small businesses needing technical or business assistance or a multi-national organisation or support agencies wishing to form close co-operative linkages have all been assisted by Dundalk Institute of Technology through a suite of flexible support services. The Centre manages a range of entrepreneurial development programmes and houses a variety of start-up high technology and knowledge based companies in its 2800m-sq. incubation facility. The Institute through the Centre has developed a track record in supporting new and existing enterprise and has established an extensive range of partnerships throughout the region and on an International basis. Through its flagship Novation programme, over 30 entrepreneurs have over the past 5 years established new technology ventures employing over 400 people with an aggregate turnover of €27 million per annum.
Through the Research and Developmental endeavours of its Academic Staff, DKIT has developed a strong applied R&D reputation in Software Development, Electronics and Engineering Design, Applied Humanities, Cultural Studies and Enterprise Development & Innovation with a new and emerging area in the field of Renewable Energy, Digital Media and Assistive Living. The evolution of this range of Research expertise has a direct bearing on new course development, on staff development and on the relevance of graduate provision to the skills needs of the Regional and National economy.
The Centre achieves this through the following range of programmes and activities:
- Research & Development and Technology Transfer
- Entrepreneurial Development Programmes
- Incubation Facilities for Knowledge and Technology-Based Enterprises
- Applied Research (Innovation Partnerships, Fusion Programme)
- Sectoral & Regional Development Initiatives (Digital Media, Renewable Energy)
- Spearheading and Supporting EU and Cross Border Development Initiative
- Networking with Agencies and Organisations at Regional, National and International Level