Institute was told not to go ahead with degree

Athlone Institute of Technology was told a year ago not to go ahead with the country’s first audiology degree, which was cancelled this week, leaving 21 students with an uncertain future.

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) told AIT on Aug 1, 2012, not to proceed with the BSc in audiology. It said it would not fund the course because it did not accord with national policy on training of audiologists, and the college was told earlier last year to engage with the HSE about clinical placements for students before classes started.

AIT said on Wednesday that it was told just this week by the HEA, which provides State funding for approved courses, not to proceed with the second year of the course.