The Institute of Technology, Tralee (ITT) has participated in a number of EU and national programmes as a partner and as the Applicant. The ITT staff has many national and international networks.

ITT has been at the forefront of learning since its establishment and has since, gained a reputation as a centre of distinction for teaching, learning and research. The Institute offers a range of full-time and part-time courses ranging from foundation level, through to certificate, degree, post-graduate and doctoral level. Enhancing the taught programmes at the Institute is a world class programme of research. Based on two campuses, both within easy access to the town centre, the Institute has a well-deserved reputation for friendliness and success. With a community of over 3,500 students and over 250 academic staff, consisting of a diverse mix of home, EU and overseas students, you are guaranteed a warm welcome at the Institute. Located alongside the Kerry Technology Park the Institute has fostered close links with companies based in the park. Our multi-million Euro Masterplan has already seen significant developments in sporting, teaching and research.

The Hotel, Culinary Arts & Tourism Department (HCT Dept.) has become one of Ireland’s leading centres for culinary excellence and development, and is also home to the Irish Academy of Hospitality & Tourism (IAHT). Recent developments within the department include the launch of an International Hotel & Training School in Tralee’s sister town of Killarney, which is a full partnership between the ITT / HCT Dept. & the Gleneagle Hotel Group – the concept being an international cohort of hospitality management professionals who take their degrees in Ireland through a mix of applied, theoretical & on-line learning, validated by ITT & the Higher Education Authority (HEA). The HCT Dept. also works closely with several organisations within the Kerry region including the National Learning Network (NLN), the Traveller Community, and Kerry Education & Training Board (KETB). The Traveller Community have been working with the HCT Dept. for approximately 6-7 years, with programmes being designed to facilitate learning and education through food studies and the culinary arts primarily. The Kerry Traveller Health and Community Development Project 2017 has just been completed, which was a partnership between Kerry Travellers Association, Kerry Sports Partnership, the Health Service Executive, and the HCT Dept. The HCT Dept. also works closely with industry in providing support education within the community, where applicable, with links established with Kerry County Council, NLN, Taste Kerry, the Dingle Food & Wine Festival, Blas na hÉireann, and Kerry Technology Park.

The key strategy of the HCT Dept. as a whole is to be Ireland’s leading culinary, hospitality and tourism educational establishment, through continued close partnership with industry and the community. Specific expertise within the culinary arts and food studies section of the department include areas such as nutrition, international food studies, food sociology, gastronomy, culinary skills and development, work placement, and most importantly, personal development. The HCT Dept. has a long and successful record of working with international students and those from diverse backgrounds – an internal audit was undertaken in 2015 which showed that the HCT Dept. has had over 64 nationalities from 5 continents as students – from Peru to Malaysia to Saudi Arabia to Nigeria to Canada.

Website: www.ittralee.ie

Project Coordinator ITT: Kristin.Brogan@staff.ittralee.ie