DIT Foundation Congratulates Digital Community Grads

DIT Foundation congratulates the sixty graduates of the DIT Digital Community Programmes who were presented with their certificates by Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, Pat Carey TD at a ceremony in DIT Aungier Street earlier this week.

Minister Carey was joined by Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Gerry Breen who presented a laptop to the Student of the Year, Gerard Devereux of the Bosco Community Centre in Drimnagh.  Gerard, won the award for not only developing his own ICT skills to a very high level, but for his great work in sharing his knowledge by teaching his fellow students.

 Professor Brian Norton, President of DIT, with Digital Community Student of the Year, Gerard Devereux and fellow students

DIT Foundation provides financial support to DIT Community Links which runs the Digital Community Programme.  According to Professor Brian Norton, President of DIT, “This programme not only offers participants the chance to acquire practical IT skills, it provides a route back to education for people who for personal or economic reasons didn’t get the opportunity before.  This year alone, 150 people have been awarded certificates at a range of levels and based on previous experience, many will go on to the next level.  The programme is both practical and inspiring, and I commend my colleagues, led by Professor Tommy Cooke, and all the participants for what they have achieved.”

The Digital Community Programme was established in 2003 by the DIT Community Links Programme and has 25 centres located mainly in Dublin City Council flat complexes around the city.  The centres are equipped with high quality ICT hardware and software, which have been provided by project partners, Hewlett Packard and Microsoft. The programme trains residents in basic computer courses and, through ‘train the trainer’ courses, also gives participants the skills to pass their new learning on to their neighbours and friends.

The Digital Community programme also provides high quality technical support for hardware and software in all the centres.  It aims to be inclusive of people with disabilities and also actively encourages participation of ethnic groups within the community, including Victims of Persecution and Torture (Spirazi) Separated Children, Refugees and Asylum seekers.   Other projects vary from centre to centre, but include Summer Projects for Children, Clay Animation and a variety of activities which engage young people in an informal but fun way.

The DIT Digital Community project partners include the, Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs; Dublin City Council; Microsoft; Hewlett Packard and Eircom.

 November 2010