The Dublin Institute of Technology's Faculty of Tourism and Food caters to a total of 1,600 full-time students and 400 who attend part-time. The faculty's Cathal Brugha Street School of Hotel, Tourism and Catering is more than 50 years old. It opened a new extension last year and has just announced a new master's in hospitality management, which was launched only last week by the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern.

This is the first such programme available in Ireland to senior managers working in the industry. It's a reflection of the changing theories of management practice and the demands of the market place. The new programme will allow practising managers update their education and prepare them for more senior position.

Sally-Anne Fisher, of the DIT, says that most students taking the wide range of courses offered in Cathal Brugha Street arrive after Leaving Cert. "But we do cater for postgraduate students - it's a multi-level access to education really. The DIT is a very, very dynamic place to be right now. It's been operating as an independent entity with its own governing body but is moving toward becoming faculty-based. It's all happening."

Programmes at the DIT Faculty of Tourism and Food, from certificate to diploma level through undergraduate and postgraduate level, provide career opportunities in such areas as rural tourism development, hotel and catering management, culinary arts and healthcare technology. There is a comprehensive range of part-time programmes and the faculty also provides a wide research and consultancy service to industry.