GMIT’s Department of Building & Civil Engineering has announced its degree programmes in architectural technology have received Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT ) accreditation for the next five years. The CIAT is the professional accreditation body for architectural technologists; chartered membership (MCIAT ) is a globally recognised standard of excellence and professionalism.
Chartered architectural technologists are qualified to offer design services and manage construction projects from inception to completion, leading the technological design of a construction project.
The GMIT Bachelor of Science (Level 7 ) in architectural technology commenced delivery in 2006, and the honours (Level 8 ) degree programme was added to the curriculum in 2011. Both programmes, which are also accredited by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI ), have proven very popular, with numbers of applications growing steadily over the years.
“This academic year in particular we’ve seen an increase of over 50 per cent in first year student numbers and demand remains strong for graduates," said Mary Rogers, head of GMIT's Department of Building and Civil Engineering.
“In granting the accreditation, the visiting CIAT panel commended the students, graduates and lecturers on a cohesive integrated approach to the programme design and the high focus on integration of learning across the programme. The panel recommended the use of building information modelling (BIM ) as a collaborative platform to enhance the programme and welcomed the development of three new masters programmes for 2021/22 in the Department of Building and Civil Engineering.
“Graduates from our programme are in high demand across the architectural technology and built environment industry in Ireland and abroad," she added. "Róisín Ni Chatháin, director architecture BPTW, London, is a 2009 graduate of the programme and has been voted CIAT Architectural Technologist of the Year 2021 in the UK. This is a wonderful accolade for Róisín and for the GMIT architectural technology programme and staff.”
For details on Róisín Ni Chatháin's award, see architecturaltechnology.com/awards/at-awards-2020-winners/the-caty html.
For further information on GMIT’s Architectural Technology programmes, visit www.gmit.ie/building-civil-engineering/bachelor-science-honours-architectural-technology
