The Dublin Institute of Technology was given its order gran ting it degree-awarding powers by the Minister for Education, Mr Martin, yesterday. A group appointed by the Higher Education Authority is visiting the institute today as part of its audit in relation to designating the DIT as a university under the Universities Act. For the past 50 years the DIT has awarded its own diplomas and certificate. It has had formal links with Trinity College Dublin for its degrees. The degree-awarding powers come into effect from the academic year 1998-1999.