PRESS RELEASE: First Masters in IT Architecture in Ireland launched today

An innovative new programme to meet emerging roles in software engineering has been launched by ICT Ireland Skillnet in collaboration with the Irish Computer Society (ICS), Institute of Technology Tallaght (ITT) and the International Association of Software Architects (IASA). The new MSc in Applied IT Architecture was developed with the support of Fidelity Investments Ireland, IBM Ireland, CISCO Ireland and LM Ericsson.

The part-time programme will give current and potential Software Architects the skills, theory and recognition they need to develop in their role.  For the first time candidates can gain a full Masters of Science degree in this specialist area through a mixed learning process with an emphasis on practical application in the workplace.

The course will be delivered part-time over two years through weekly online lectures and collaborative sessions and at monthly workshops at IT Tallaght. It starts on September 24th and, after applying the grant from Skillnets will cost participants €3,250 per annum.

 

Paul SweetmanThe Director of ICT Ireland, Paul Sweetman says:  “This programme is an ideal solution to the growing demand by companies to retain these highly skilled employees and develop an Architecture capability pipeline. It will also enable them to prepare new or prospective software engineers to be successful in an Architect’s role.”

 

Barry Feeney, Head of Computing at IT Tallaght says: “We believe this course can be a major Barry Feeneycontributor to keeping Irish IT Architects at the forefront of global computing. Most current software architects have grown into their role with no formal standards, certification or training in the practice of software architecture. Organisations like Iasa Ireland, the Irish Computer Society and the ICT Ireland Skillnet expressed a need for recognition of the software architect’s role in the form of an accredited academic qualification. This Masters is the first of its kind in Ireland (we think maybe even Europe) and we believe it will help some already very talented, mostly self-taught IT Architects to develop and expand their skill sets while obviously improving their employability for the future.”

 

Jim Friars, CEO of the Irish Computer Society says: “We are very proud to partner with ICT Jim FriarsIreland Skillnet and IT Tallaght, this programme fits right in with what we are doing in trying to professionalise the IT Industry and to provide Continuing Professional Development programmes to support progressive professions like Software Architecture. These people design the systems that run our health/public service administration, our online shopping, our social media platforms and our online banking, it is incredibly important that they are properly qualified. Through our partners in Iasa Ireland we believe we can support IT architects throughout their careers and this course is the first step to formalising that knowledge.”