Minister Mc Conalogue visits ATU Civil Engineering & Construction Showcase

This annual exhibition focuses on the final year BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology and BSc (Hons) Construction Management students while also displaying the work of the earlier years. This year’s event included the online Springboard+ courses, Certificate in Revit & 4D BIM, and BSc (Hons) Construction Contracts Management students’ work.

Head of College at ATU Donegal, Paul Hannigan, was delighted to welcome everyone to the event. 

“I’d like to thank the Minister for attending the event. The students presenting their work here today have taken a significant amount of time to organise and showcase what they have been doing. I know that several of the final years who are graduating this year are doing so with employment already secured in the industry. This is fantastic and is credit to the links that we have built with industry over the years and the quality of the programmes. I wish the students every success for the future.”

The event was attended by students, their families and friends, professional and work placement partners as well as ATU staff. The community feel of ATU was alive on the day.

The minister donned a headset and was immersed in an augmented reality (AR) experience which was a walk-through of a 3D model built by final year architectural technology student, David Siewer. This was followed by a guided tour of the architectural studios and exhibition by lecturers and students.

The showcase provided an opportunity for the presentation of silver medals and certificates to the runner up team in the national Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) student challenge which was held in Limerick earlier this academic year. CIOB northwest region representatives John Joe Doherty and Sean O Brien were in attendance to congratulate the construction management students Adam Stewart, Mark Siewer, Donagh McGowan and Maria McShane. Lecturer Antoin MacGabhann commenting on the success of the team outlined that the competition gives students the opportunity to implement creative thinking, test analytical & technical skills whilst developing effective teamwork.

Commenting, the Minister said; "I was delighted to officially open the exhibition and to meet with students, staff and families. It is great to see so much talent in our students and in particular, their focus on sustainable solutions. Thanks to Paul Hannigan, Anna Meehan and all involved in making this exhibition such a success and to all the students for their great work."

Anne Boner, Head of Department of Civil Engineering and Construction congratulated the students on their achievements; “The Showcase represents, for final year students, the culmination of four years development and achievement to enable them to follow their discipline and succeed in their chosen profession. Opportunities that they could not have contemplated when they first applied to ATU, await them to be realised. As confident skilled individuals they are highly sought after in the industry and will bring their educational background and expertise to the projects they work on.”

ATU Donegal's Department of Civil Engineering & Construction offers a wide range of courses covering the broad built environment spectrum of disciplines including civil engineering; fire safety engineering; architectural technology; quantity surveying; and construction management.

Recognising the importance of having both nationally and internationally recognised qualifications of a verified standard, the Department achieves professional accreditation for all degree programmes.