Engineers Ireland has recently approved IT Sligo’s Masters in Engineering (MEng) in Road and Transport Engineering for full accreditation to Chartered Engineer level for graduates with an accredited Level 8 degree.

This part-time online, blended programme is the first online Master’s programme in Ireland to be accredited at the education standard required for the registration of Chartered Engineers. It was developed in partnership with the Department of Transport and the Local Authority Services National Training Group (LASNTG), targeting civil engineers working in the road and transport engineering sector.

Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State responsible for International and Road Transport and Logistics, commented: “I am delighted to hear about this accreditation success, which will allow engineers to progress in their profession on a remote basis. The Department of Transport and LASNTG has partnered with the Department of Civil Engineering and Construction at IT Sligo since 2015 on bespoke programme provision and I am happy to confirm this relationship has been formally extended for another five years due to this collaboration success”.

The President of IT Sligo, Dr Brendan McCormack, welcomes the announcement: “I congratulate all academic staff involved, including Trevor McSharry, Head of Department and Dr. Brian McCann, who is programme chair for this Masters and current Vice-Chair of the Irish Transport Research Network on this accreditation. I know much work has gone into this with Engineers Ireland and having this internationally recognised programme at IT Sligo is a testament to that effort.”

Dr McCann commented on the accreditation stating that: “This achievement is the culmination of seven years of programme development, refinement and engagement with all stakeholders by an accomplished team of dedicated academic professionals at IT Sligo. The aim was to develop a programme which provided accredited learning and research skills to meet the needs of the road services sector and allow for engineers to learn and network effectively remotely to produce innovative, sustainable, and technologically advanced solutions for the road and transport network. Professional accreditation is a key outcome for learners who seek advancement in their careers, and this can now be achieved in a part-time blended online learning environment, whilst working full-time in the sector.”

The programme is suitable for both recent graduates and experienced professionals, practising in either the public or private sector. Local authority employed engineers can avail of full funding for the programme by key stakeholders, the Department of Transport and local authority employers, through engagement with Local Authority Services National Training Group (LASNTG). The modules address a range of skills relating to the sustainable planning, assessment, design, construction, operation and maintenance of the road, bridge and transportation projects and schemes. Graduates of the MEng programme have presented papers on their research dissertation findings at national conferences. Many have been promoted by their employers to more senior management and technical roles or have gained further employment in the sector due to the advanced skills attained during the programme.

For more details, please check out www.itsligo.ie