Course cancelled after one year, students devastated.

SaveMeBarry

The only audiology in Ireland [Athlone Institute of Technology] was cancelled after students had completed their first year. We were aware of issues surrounding accreditation and placements, though we were only told that it would definitely not be going ahead in late July leaving us in education limbo and financial distress. These past few months have been horrible for us. I would like to ask if you would consider signing this petition to help.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/375/134/298/support-the-audiology-students-from-ait/

Thanks

SaveMeBarry

Some articles about the situation -

http://www.fiannafail.ie/news/entry/ff-condemns-fiasco-over-audiology-course-at-athlone-it/

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/institute-was-told-not-to-go-ahead-with-degree-238648.html

http://www.irishdeafkids.ie/2013/audiology-course-ireland/

Riddle101

That's a shame. They should at least allow the current students on the course complete it, but cancel it for future students. That is if they have to cancel it of course.

Cody Pomeray

From the newspaper reports, it sounds pretty shambolic.

Very bad PR for AIT, and almost undoubtedly a legal challenge ahead.

Hard to understand what kind of institution offers a clinical course without having a firm accreditation footing?

thegreatgonzo

That's terribly disappointing. I can only imagine how I'd feel if my course had been cancelled. I hope that AIT at least can make sure that people are treated as first time applicants with SUSI in the future.

eyescreamcone

What a mess!

This just shows AIT to be a bunch of cowboys.
Who would want their child to go there now.

When was the last time a course failed to finish at any Irish college/university?

branie

Why have the course in the first place if you can't get accreditation?

thegreatgonzo

Well I'm guessing that they had expected to receive accreditation. I don't know how these things work at all but I know that with the veterinary nursing courses, LYIT an DKIT didn't have accreditation when I was applying to them but were expecting to receive it from the VCI when their first lot of students graduated.

SaveMeBarry

A quick update on our situation -
We have reached 1,164 signatures on our petition, and are still hoping for many more. We have had tremendous support from Irish Deaf Kids who helped us set up our petition, as well as a spokesperson from Audiology Issues who went on the radio to talk to George Hook from newstalk about our situation.

The podcast of that is here - http://www.newstalk.ie/Why-Cant-Ireland-Train-Its-Own-Audiologists

Another podcast referencing the situation can be found here - http://www.midlandsradio.fm/news/18hea-local-plg-aor

In addition to the articles I mentioned in an above post, these are some other ones.

http://examiner.ie/ireland/uk-audiology-body-refused-to-accredit-degree-last-year-239411.html
http://www.roberttroy.ie/?p=606
http://www.thejournal.ie/athlone-it-cancels-audiology-course-1018205-Aug2013/

As for Athlone IT, little support has been shown since they told us the course was cancelled. Thirteen of us have been accepted to study audiology in Southampton but the financial weight of moving country and paying tuition fees over €10000 is overwhelming.

Nidge_Weasel

I hear the guys have managed to get there course continued, which is great news! However, I have issue with one quote from the westmeath Independant:

President of AIT, Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin, said: “We are delighted that these students will be able to complete their studies in audiology with us. It was always our intention to support the students, and we are very pleased for them that this agreement has been reached. We recognise, particularly, the support of all parties in realising the ambitions of this cohort of students, and we are grateful to them for their cooperation and assistance in this matter.” - See more at: http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/roundup/articles/2013/08/21/4017238-ait-audiology-students-to-be-allowed-finish-degree-in-athlone/#sthash.TdejVQuk.dpuf

Sorry, what? Did I dream that the college didn't bother to ensure all the proper necessities were in place? Did I dream the fact the college cancelled the course? And did I dream the fact that these students had to take the college to court in order to get the course reinstated?

Jokeshop!