IT Sligo has become the first third level institution in Ireland and the UK to sign a licence agreement with computer software giant Adobe – which gives institute students 24/7 access to some of the world’s leading design software from any computer, anywhere with internet access.
Adobe is one of the world’s top digital media and creative software providers, whose most famous product is Photoshop.
Colm Davey, a lecturer in web and digital media at IT Sligo, says the agreement will be of huge benefit to students.
“We recognise that many students have other commitments – for example, they may be working part-time to put themselves though college and not in a position to spend an evening in the college lab before it shuts at 10pm. This significant development initially will provide students with freedom to access this software, to work on assignments and complete coursework, at a time and place that suits them.”
Stephen Reid, co-ordinator of the KITE project at IT Sligo added: “This development not only facilitates students who need out-of-hours access to the software, but also provides the potential to deliver new online courses in this exciting area, further enhancing the institute’s reputation as a pioneer in online learning.
“As a result of the KITE Project, the institute has successfully delivered a number of live, interactive practical classes to online distance learning students across a range of courses. This development will enable us to develop more new online programmes.”
From this month the institute will deliver a number of online tutorials to students, on a pilot basis.
“Without this unique agreement with Adobe this would not be possible,” Davey said.
The KITE Project is part-funded by the European Union’s Regional Development Fund through the INTERREG IVA cross-border programme.
