Latest news with #DundalkInstituteofTechnology
Irish Independent
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Five siblings from Slovakia share their memories of studying at Dundalk Institute of Technology
All five enrolled at Dundalk Institute of Technology, where they gained professional qualifications and skills and made lifelong friends, with one sibling meeting their future partner at the Dublin Road campus. Each sibling forged their own path, but they all share fond memories of DkIT's welcoming community, vibrant student life, and dedicated lecturers. From volleyball clubs to book groups, from IT skills to lifelong friendships, the Ponik family credits DkIT for shaping both their personal and professional lives. 'If you study something you're passionate about, then you'll enjoy your time at DkIT', Lukas Ponik (37), said. The eldest of siblings, he enrolled in 2012 as a mature student. Initially studying software engineering, he later switched to games development and now works as principal developer at GBETechnologies. 'The lecturers were understanding and supportive. I'll always be grateful for the years I spent there,' Lukas said. He didn't just get a degree at DkIT, he met his wife, Huey Wong, through the volleyball club. Originally from Malaysia, Huey pursued a BA (Hons) in early childhood studies and later completed a Master's in early intervention at Trinity College Dublin. She is now a full-time mum to the couple's three kids Lilly, Simeon and Jasmine. She too has many good memories from her time at DkIT. "I loved the international events, going to watch volleyball matches with different colleges, having placement in different crèches each year, sport and societies award night, and much more! "I also met my husband, Lukas in the volleyball society. Neither of us were the best volleyball players, but we had a great time!' Initially having a fear that she would struggle with her studies, as English was not her first language, Huey soon discovered that lecturers and staff were very approachable and helped her find placements, which she described as 'very rewarding experiences' where she made connections with real people instead of focusing only on theory. Lukas's decision to attend DkIT had been influenced by his younger siblings' positive experiences. His younger brother Stefan (35), the second eldest of the Ponik family, pursued a in networking and support in 2010 and later completed a (Hons) in computing in IT management in 2012. Now a cloud engineer manager at Wesco, Stefan attributes his success to the foundation built at DkIT. 'Getting a first-class honours degree after a few years of hard work, that feeling of pride and achievement and of course the celebrations afterwards made it all worth it,' he recalled. Stefan also engaged in extracurricular activities like breakdancing and volleyball, and he emphasises the importance of balancing work and social life during college. Next in the family is 34-year-old Anna Ponikova, who like Stefan, began her studies at DkIT in 2010 and followed a similar academic path. She enjoyed her time in the volleyball team and later worked as an IT compliance analyst for a global financial services company before becoming a full-time mother. She credits DkIT for giving her the confidence to succeed in the tech industry. 'DkIT opened doors. It gave me real-world experience and belief in my own abilities.' Although Anna's younger sister Marcela (29) didn't share the same enthusiasm for IT as her siblings, she pursued a networking course at DkIT in 2014. Today, she works as a project manager at proprietary trading firm Susquehanna, having started her career there as an Infrastructure Engineer. Marcela treasures her DkIT experience, especially graduating with the highest GPA in her class, earning the President's Prize. Samuel, the youngest of the Ponik siblings, started a Level 7 software engineering course at DkIT in 2018. He currently works full-time in Dublin as a backend software engineer, but is considering returning for a part-time Master's degree. 'Join the clubs and societies,' he advises. 'You'll build friendships that last a lifetime and meet people outside your course. DkIT gave me memories and connections I still value today.' The family's educational journey was championed by their parents, Stefan and Anna who expressed sincere gratitude for the number of opportunities available to their children as students in Ireland, which they themselves did not have in Slovakia. 'A few years have passed since our five children finished university and it's an indescribable feeling to see each of them doing well, happy, working, and using the knowledge they gained at DKIT,' Stefan Senior said. 'We are really proud of what each of them has achieved and it feels very special to have five siblings all graduate from the same university. We are thankful for the education system in Ireland that enables people of any age to study and the programmes that help make it accessible and affordable for all.'
Irish Independent
31-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Louth father of three outlines how life has changed for the better after return to education thanks to Headstart course
After battling personal challenges, Dean Bradley enrolled in Headstart in 2020, which was delivered entirely online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The support and encouragement he received enabled him to pursue further education: 'The Headstart Programme gave me direction. The team taught me how to go with it, how to stay with it, and really just about resilience.' Dean's perseverance led him to complete multiple Level 5 and Level 6 courses, culminating in his current pursuit of a degree in Social Care at DkIT. He advises others considering the programme to 'Take it day by day and week by week. Don't look at the years. For me, life has really changed for the better.' He is one of a number former participants of the Pathways and Headstar community education programmes, delivered by Dundalk Institute of Technology in partnership with Louth Local Development's SICAP Social Inclusion Programme, who have been sharing their experiences of the courses. Likewise Elizabeth Awosanya, a mother of three, embarked on her educational journey through the Pathways programme before transitioning into Headstart. Now nearing the completion of her degree in Social Care, Elizabeth reflects on her experience, saying 'Pathways helped me build confidence, engage with learning at my own pace, and get a real feel for what higher education might be like in a non-intimidating way. Transitioning into Headstart deepened my readiness for third-level education and mentally and practically prepared me for the challenges of college life.' Elizabeth's journey illustrates the programmes' ability to provide a solid foundation for those returning to education, fostering both academic readiness and personal growth. Their views are shared by Laure Nzia Djakou, who has just completed her second year studying International Tourism and Management at DkIT. Having previously struggled to balance third-level education with other life commitments, the mother of three found renewed motivation and support through these programmes: 'The programmes were designed for people like me—mature students who needed a bit of encouragement and guidance. The supportive environment and the opportunity to build my confidence were exactly what I needed.' Laure now envisions a future where she can pursue a Masters degree or contribute to the tourism industry, all while managing her family commitments. The success of the Pathways and Headstart programmes was recognised recently DkIT was awarded €1 million in performance funding. The programmes were launched by DkIT in partnership with Louth Local Development n 2017 and 2018 with the aim of improving access to higher education for underrepresented groups in County Louth, including low-income households, ethnic minorities, refugees, asylum seekers, the long-term unemployed, lone parents, and individuals with disabilities or mental health issues. Pathways offered a 14-week introductory course in local community centres, providing a supportive environment for adults to experience higher education without the pressure of assignments. Headstart, a 10-week follow-up programme delivered on the DkIT campus, focused on building participants' self-confidence and academic skills, such as study techniques, time management, and career guidance. Graduates from these programmes have gone on to pursue degrees in various fields, including Social Care, Nursing, and Creative Media, and many have secured employment opportunities. Since 2017, a total of 325 students have graduated from the programmes. For the individuals taking part, both Pathways and Headstart have literally been life changing. The beneficiaries of the initiative have included people with disabilities, long term unemployed, migrants, one parent and low-income families, people with addiction issues, teenage parents, refugees, Irish Travellers, young people in the care of the State, youth attending Youthreach or similar programmes, student carers, 'second chance' mature learners, those in the criminal justice system, and people who are homeless. The next Headstart course starts on Wednesday September 3, 2025 and runs every Wednesday for ten weeks. Anyone interested in registering should email or call 0877462507.
Irish Independent
24-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
LEO Louth appoints Nikki Campbell as new Head of Enterprise
A past-pupil of St Vincent's Secondary School, she studied at Dundalk Institute of Technology and Universidad de León. Ms. Campbell has an impressive background in Operations Management with Optimum Results and Customer Perceptions, and experience in revenue, sales, recruitment, and training within the hospitality industry. Her extensive experience as an elite trainer and consultant in SME development, both nationally and internationally, will be a huge benefit to enterprise in Louth. She will lead the Local Enterprise Office's efforts to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurs, and start-ups across the county. Her vision is centred on driving sustainable economic growth, enhancing the local business ecosystem, and empowering Louth-based enterprises to scale and succeed. 'I am thrilled to join the Local Enterprise Office Louth at such an exciting time for the county,' said Ms. Campbell. 'I look forward to working with businesses and entrepreneurs to help them navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead. Working with my colleagues in the LEO, my focus will be on fostering a culture of innovation, resilience and adaptability to help Louth businesses thrive in an ever-evolving marketplace.' Louth County Council's Chief Executive David Conway welcomed the appointment saying: 'We are delighted to welcome Nikki Campbell as the new Head of Enterprise. Nikki brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and energy that will be instrumental in supporting and growing the local enterprise sector. Her background in operations and SME development means that she understands the challenges local businesses face and how to support and inspire them. We are confident that her vision for innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth will further strengthen Louth's position as a leading destination for entrepreneurship and enterprise.' As Head of Enterprise, Nikki will oversee the range of programmes and initiatives designed to provide support, training, funding, and advice to businesses across the region. Under her leadership, and working with Louth County Council, representative bodies and agencies, LEO Louth will continue to position the county as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. 'I am passionate about creating an environment where businesses of all sizes can succeed,' Nikki continued. 'By working closely with local enterprises, we can ensure that Louth remains a dynamic and attractive place for business investment and development. I am excited about the opportunities ahead and committed to supporting the local business community.'
