Organisation Background
The Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Management Systems (MTU Cork)
Background:
Munster Technological University (MTU) is a multi‐campus technological university, with six campuses
across the South‐West region in Cork and Kerry, and a student body of 18,000 made up of full and part
time learners. The Centre for Advanced Manufacturing & Management Systems (CAMMS) was
founded in 1991 and is attached to the Department of Mechanical, Biomedical and Manufacturing
Engineering at MTU Bishopstown Campus, Cork. CAMMS is a Continuing Professional Development
Centre (CPD) within MTU dedicated to providing opportunities for workforce development and
personal upskilling. CAMMS capitalises on the extensive expertise within MTU together with external

professionalsto deliver up to date education and training programmes. CAMMS aims to provide career-
focused education for the benefit of the personal, intellectual and professional development of students

and to solve problems directly related to skills required by industry. Each year CAMMS engages with
a large number of organisations across Ireland and the Munster region.

CAMMS has grown significantly over the last 34 years and student numbers have increased from 100
students annually to over 300 students annually, with over 8,000 students having passed through the
centre since 1991. The vast majority of our students are in full time employment and have completed
prior education or apprenticeship programmes. Due to the nature and success of our programmes 90%
are funded by either Springboard or Skillnet. There are over twenty teaching staff across a wide range
of programmes which are outlined below. The centre is led by Centre Coordinator Dr. Ciara Lavelle.
Programmes:
There are currently 19 programmes on offer through the CAMMS centre. Current Course themes
include Lean Sigma (Yellow, Green, Black and Master Back Belts), Project Management, Automation
and Robotics, Biomedical Engineering, Bachelor of Science Degree Programmes as well as courses in
BIM Applications, Smart Power Engineering, Networked Instrumentation, Artificial Vision, 3D
Printing, Precision Manufacturing and Aukom Level 1. AUKOM training is currently offered in 19
countries and MTU is the only approved training centre in Ireland. All courses lead to an Academic
award which is fully recognised by the National Framework of Qualifications(NFQ). Our courses range
from level 6 to level 9 and from 5 credit single modules to 30 credit Special Purpose Awards.

Structure:
Canvas is MTU's Learning Management System (LMS). The Department of Technology Enhanced
Learning (TEL) supports a rich digital learning ecosystem in MTU, incorporating Zoom for online
delivery, a digital student attendance tool, an e-portfolio and a myriad of additional tools that support
MTU staff and students. Canvas acts as a “hub” for all of these resources. All timetabled online

classes are delivered live with supporting material available on Canvas. Each module has a pre-
determined number of online and on campus classes. When the blended method of teaching was

introduced it was decided that any material that could be delivered online was delivered online and
once that was completed students would then get the opportunity to attend on campus classes in the
labs. Prior to Covid 19 students were expected to attend on campus classes each week for one
academic year (September to May) with online delivery not possible at the time. During the Covid 19
pandemic programmes were delivered fully online, however due to the important lab aspect of many
of the modules this was not conducive to the practical nature of our programmes. Over the last number
of years over 2 million has been invested in our state of the art laboratories. After the pandemic had

come to an end it was decided to deliver courses in a blended format comprising of lab based face-to-
face teaching and live online sessions. This meant students no longer had to attend on campus classes

every week and this allowed us to take significant portions of the programmes online. This was
particularly important to industry students as they are also working full time. This blended learning
model offers flexibility, enhanced engagement, and a personalised learning experience for students.
At present for the delivery of our programmes our lecturing team are using over 16 different
information and communication technologies which are outlined below.