NCI Blog

In one way, Fintech is the easiest of the newer computing buzzwords to explain, as it is simply a portmanteau that combines FINance with TECHnology to make a new word: Fintech. The word first began to be used in the early 1990s, as an abbreviation for Citi’s initiative: Financial Services Technology Consortium, though the move towards understanding the possible impact Technology could have on Finance began as early as the 1980s.

NCI is supporting ‘Darkness into Light’ which will take place virtually at Sunrise on Saturday 8th May Many students and staff are already keen supporters of this popular event but we are hoping to get more of our NCI community involved this year to shine a light on this fantastic cause. Unfortunately, we can't gather together in the usual Darkness into Light venues but we can still put on that yellow t-shirt and take part in a location that suits you.

A lot of us have some idea of Artificial Intelligence (AI) - or at least think we do - if only from the movies. At its most sophisticated, we might think of the replicants in Blade Runner (with a bit of bioengineering thrown in), while considering Ex Machina or Chappie as more likely to become Science Fact within our lifetimes. However, often robots, even humanoid ones, don’t have Artificial Intelligence, they cannot read their surroundings and respond to them, but only perform a single pre-programmed task. These machines help us *do* things more quickly or carry out repetitive physical processes; AI helps us *think* more quickly, sorting through vast amounts of information.

When NCI graduate Laura Buckley selected the BSc (Honours) in Technology Management as her top choice on her CAO form, she didn’t know which aspect of the course she would enjoy more; business or technology. Her talent for the business and IT management subjects soon became evident and, equipped with a solid foundation in computing and a focus on business management, Laura set her sights on becoming a leader in the technological/agile project space.

A quick search at time of writing this blog post displayed 240 Blockchain roles currently recruiting in Ireland through LinkedIn alone. Even if you are not currently job-searching, you will have come across the word in news reports and articles about everything from Brexit to cybersecurity to cryptocurrency. This is your speedy guide to understanding what people are talking about when they mention ‘Blockchain’.

A message from NCI President, Gina Quin March 2020 was all about future plans. The College was covered with flyers and balloons and it was impossible to walk through the Atrium without being surrounded by candidates for election to the students’ union canvassing for your vote. Noticeboards also advertised all the fun due to take place during rag week, to commence on March 23rd, and tickets for the Clubs & Socs Awards on March 28th; competing for space were posters about the latest in the series of careers’ events.

International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world today, Monday 8th March. It’s a day to celebrate women’s achievements, to raise awareness of gender bias and to work together towards a gender equal world. The 2021 theme “Choose to Challenge” brings these aims together by asking us to raise our hands high to show our support and commitment to calling out inequality to help create an inclusive world.

As NCI students moved to online classes almost one year ago, it’s time to check in to see if you’re engaging with the learning material, seeking support and advice when you need it and motivated to study independently.

Say hello to our new International Student Ambassadors; Gantsetseg, Arnauv, Anjuli, Mario, Bindhu and Rohan! The group will be sharing their stories, their top advice, and their experience of studying in Ireland as an international student over the coming months.

Human resource management, data analytics, economics and TikTok… John Geraghty, HR Business Partner at TikTok, explains how these areas come together in his current role. Drawing from his undergraduate degree, his interest in data and economics has kept him grounded and ensured that he has always based his decisions on facts and tangible metrics. Studying the MA in Human Resource Management at NCI was a real lightbulb moment for John; he was certain that this was the field he wanted to pursue a career in. Starting off in recruitment, he soon moved into HR roles in technology companies where he developed an understanding of the impact of employee insights on business success. This sparked a desire to develop analytical skills to make decisions that would drive business growth, leading him to study the Higher Diploma in Science in Data Analytics at NCI.