Interest in IT courses plunges

APPLICATIONS for computer degree courses have fallen by 80% in the past four years despite 8,000 job vacancies for graduates.

A top academic has called for computing to made a Leaving Cert subject to get students interested in college courses.

Professor Michael Ryan, head of the school of computing at Dublin City University, said there is a misconception that there are very few jobs in the sector.

“There should be a Leaving Certificate exam course in which students learn about how computers work, basic programming, logic, and how information is organised, stored and retrieved,” he said.

Meanwhile, a survey has found that the number of students taking engineering courses at third level has dropped by almost one-fifth in three years.

The Institute of Engineers of Ireland study shows there were 923 students in first year engineering at five universities, compared with 1,110 in fourth year.

“We need more engineers now,” said IEI president Anne Butler.