"Great!" That's how Fiona Quinn, the first person to gain a PhD degree from Tallaght IT, describes her time at the college. Quinn's research in microbiology has led to the discovery of a rapid identification test for a particular bacterium.

"The Tallaght IT people are very friendly bunch - I'd definitely recommend the college," says Quinn, who is taking up a position with the National Diagnostic Centre, Galway, designing DNA-based diagnostic kits. "Our postgraduate work is growing," comments registrar Dr Dermot Douglas. "We now have 25 students involved in postgraduate research." The college, which opened in 1992, boasts 1,650 full-time students. To date it has conferred 2,500 awards, ranging from certificate through diploma to bachelor's and master's degrees. This "ladder system" of educational attainment is regarded by Tallaght IT as a major strength.