Meet our Information Technology (IT) Managers

Donal McGinty, IT Manager, GMIT

I’m the IT manager for GMIT. However, I have recently agreed to transition into a project management role for the TU to set up the identity and authentication systems necessary for the new TU.

We are working on supporting the legal obligations of the new TU while also ensuring that a website and essential email services will be available to deliver the initial marketing and branding requirements for the TU.

One of the most significant successes to date has been aligning systems and processes that have already benefited staff and students, such as Microsoft Teams and other identity protection systems that keep our institutes secure from cyber threats.

We will be focusing on aligning our business processes and setting up IT systems to meet the TU’s business requirements while also maintaining our IT services to students and staff.

I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to continue delivering reliable IT services to support innovation, collaboration and learning.

John Gannon, IT Manager, IT Sligo

I’m the IT Services Manager in IT Sligo. However, I have recently moved to a TU project management role with responsibility for the overall planning and coordination of the IT integration and merger projects, as well as liaising with the other project groups.

One of the main projects is our work with our marketing and communications colleagues to plan for the designation day website and communication requirements.

The subgroup has worked closely to align the three institute’s IT policies. The closer collaboration and sharing of information have been beneficial from a day-to-day operational context. We have learned a lot from each other.

We need to ensure that we operate consistently and effectively across all campuses. The harmonisation and standardisation of existing processes, policies and systems are essential. This will support our ambition of having a single Information and Communications Platform (ICT) for the new TU.

The new TU will provide a broader range of education options for students. The harmonisation and standardisation of processes, policies and systems will facilitate improvements in the existing IT services available to students and staff and the development of new ones.

Liam McIntyre, IT Manager, LYIT

I’m the IT Manager in LYIT. However, I have recently agreed to transition into a project management role to coordinate the development of information and cyber security strategy for the new TU.

We are aligning Information and Communications Platform (ICT) policies across the three institutes. The remit is to ensure a consistent approach to IT and cyber security across the new TU. Security by design principles will be incorporated into all new ICT systems required for the 1st of April and beyond this date. The subgroup are also implementing a common set of ICT procurement frameworks for goods and services across the new TU.

The CUA IT working group has achieved several critical successes. These include: ● Enabling of Microsoft Teams meeting rooms across the various campuses within the CUA. ● Setting up procurement frameworks for services such as a virtual desktop solution, audio-visual services, and voice services\Microsoft Teams. ● Alignment of Microsoft licenses to ensure a common approach to security and services. ● Alignment of our central ICT policies. ● Collaboration and sharing of knowledge among some of the technical teams.

The TU will create a culture of change and innovation. This innovation from an IT perspective will focus on how to approach IT systems for the new TU, focusing on the student and staff experience by providing a unified seamless user experience accessing IT services across the TU.

Collaborated on IT strategy and created a resourcing and governance plan for the IT TU projects.

Worked closely to align IT systems and policies across the three institutes.

Set up systems to keep the three institutes secure from cyber threats.

Supported the CUA project by setting up web platforms, communication systems and portals.

Set up procurement frameworks for services such as a virtual desktop solution, audio visual services, and voice services\Microsoft Teams

Working with marketing and communications colleagues to plan for designation day website and communication requirements.

Working to ensure a consistent approach to IT and cyber security across the new TU. Security by design principles will be incorporated into all new ICT systems.

Setting up the identity and authentication systems necessary for the new TU.

Planning and coordinating the IT integration and merger projects.

Working towards establishing a single Information and Communications Platform (ICT) for the new TU.