Minister Quinn sanctions major re-organisation of higher education
May 30, 2013
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., has today announced a major re-organisation of the country’s higher education sector that includes provision for the creation of new Technological Universities.
This announcement follows recommendations made by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) to Minister Quinn. The HEA’s report called for consolidation of the Institute of Technology (IT) sector; the creation of a small number of technological universities; the formation of regional clusters between universities and stronger ITs; implementation of recommendations to rationalise teacher education; as well as increased sustainability and capacity in the higher education system.
Minister Quinn said; “A new relationship between the state and the 39 publicly funded higher education institutes will be implemented. This will allow the system to respond in a more coherent way to national priorities set down by the government and provide graduates with the skills and qualifications that are essential for Ireland’s social and economic well-being.
“A new performance framework will be put in place to increase the transparency and accountability of institutions for delivery of agreed performance outcomes. Integral to this will be a process of strategic dialogue between the HEA and each higher education institution”.
The Minister continued: “Following discussion with Government colleagues this week, my response to the HEA report formally sets out the Government’s national priorities and its key objectives for the higher education system. I will be asking the HEA to report to me on an annual basis on the collective performance of the higher education system against these national priorities and objectives and a set of high level system indicators which will be finalised in the coming weeks. A legislative framework will be brought forward to enable the implementation of these very important processes.”
Minister Quinn said this new focus on system and institutional performance will bring the funding and governance of Irish higher education into line with best practice internationally. “It marks a new era for students and other stakeholders of the system”.
The Minister is also instructing the HEA to begin to implement the report’s recommendations that will result in the consolidation of three groups of institutes of technology to progress towards attaining Technological University status. The three are:
The Dublin Institute of Technology, the Institute of Technology Tallaght and the Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown
The Cork Institute of Technology and the Institute of Technology, Tralee
The Waterford Institute of Technology and Carlow Institute of Technology.
The next stage for each of the applications will be the preparation of a plan to meet the criteria for Technological University status. The plan must be based on a legally binding memorandum of understanding between each consortium of institutions describing their consolidation into a new single institution.
The plans will be evaluated by an independent expert international panel that will decide if the applicant can meet the agreed criteria in the proposed timetable and can proceed to the final stage.
Minister Quinn added that: “It is clear some institutes are not seeking to amalgamate with others and become Technological Universities. However, all institutions must concentrate on the core mission of developing close links with the local and regional business community and giving the best possible quality of education to their students, both from home and abroad.“
In addition, the Minister is asking the HEA to establish regional clusters of institutions in three identified regions, Dublin/Leinster, the South/South East and West/Mid/West. All seven universities and 14 ITs will be grouped as follows:
South/South East – University College Cork, Cork IT, IT Tralee, Waterford IT and IT Carlow;
West/Mid/North West – University of Limerick, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick IT, Galway-Mayo IT, IT Sligo, Letterkenny IT and NUI Galway (St Angela’s and Shannon College incorporated into NUI Galway);
Dublin/Leinster Pillar I – University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, National College of Art and Design, Marino Institute of Education, Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology;
Dublin/Leinster Pillar II – Dublin Institute of Technology, IT Tallaght, IT Blanchardstown, Dublin City University (and incorporating linked colleges, National College of Ireland, Dundalk IT, NUI Maynooth, Athlone IT and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Heads of institutions in these clusters will now develop regional plans, eliminating unnecessary duplication of provision and establishing clear pathways of transfer and progression for students in the region. Emerging alliances between universities and institutes of technology will be strengthened and promoted – developing critical mass and centres of excellence in undergraduate, postgraduate and research provision.
The re-configuration of higher education follows on from the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 (the Hunt report) that set out a series of objectives for a reformed system. The re-configuration also incorporates the rationalisation of initial teacher education recommended in a report published last year by the HEA and the recommendations of the review of creative arts provision in the Dublin area also published in 2012.
www.education.ie
Funding for Irish-Medium Schools in Cork
May 29, 2013
Dúnlaoi Teo has a limited fund of money which it wishes to disperse, in the promotion of the use of the Irish language. The Dúnlaoi Fund will be administered by The Community Foundation for Ireland on behalf of Dúnlaoi Teoranta’s Board.
Irish language schools in Cork City and County only, especially Gaelscoileanna, are invited to apply for once off financial support for the benefit and good of promoting the Irish language in those schools.
Applications will only be accepted from full time schools which are recognised by the Department of Education and Skills as a primary school or a secondary school.
The closing date for applications is 7 June 2013.
http://www.foundation.ie/our-grants/apply-for-a-dun-laoi-fund-grant
Scoláireacht sa Rannóg Pleanála & Polasaí – ÚnaG
May 29, 2013
Leabhair nua scríofa ag páistí
May 29, 2013
Grease as Gaeilge
May 29, 2013
In a totally unique take on the classic musical, Gaelscoil Chluainín is performing “Grease as Gaeilge” in Manorhamilton’s Glens Centre.
This is a very ambitious production and the first of its kind in this part of the country. The cast includes 61 children from all areas of North Leitrim aged from 6 to 12 years.
It is a culmination of the eclectic mix of talents amidst parents and staff, graphic designers, artists, musicians, sculptors and stylists which, combined with the wonderful acting ability of the children, guarantees a great nights entertainment.
The evening performances are on Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1 at 7.30pm in The Glens Centre, Manorhamilton.
Bookings are available by phoning (071) 98 55833. Seating is limited so early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.
www.leitrimobserver.ie
Foilsithe ar 28 Bealtaine 2013 / Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com 29 Bealtaine 2013
‘Ceart sibhialta is ea é do dhaoine comhfhreagras a éileamh ina dteanga dhúchais ón státchóras Eorpach’ – Geoghegan-quinn
May 29, 2013
Bilingual primary school for Knocknacarra
May 28, 2013
The City of Galway VEC is seeking expressions of interest from parents who would like their children to attend a Bilingual Community National School in Knocknacarra.
Education would be provided in this bilingual school through the medium of Irish or English to children beginning school in 2014.
The co-educational school would welcome children from the local region, and educate them through Irish or English in a child-centred and multi-faith manner.
It is intended that the educational model provided by the City of Galway VEC through a bilingual approach will ensure students will be sufficiently competent to progress to Coláiste na Coiribe, an Irish language secondary school under the patronage of The City of Galway VEC.
The Departments of Education and Skills has highlighted the need for a new primary school in Knocknacarra, and the City of Galway VEC hopes to establish a new school under their own patronage to meet this need.
Parents and guardians are welcome to declare their interest at www.cgvec.ie/cns, and an information evening will take place Tuesday, May 28 2013 in the Clybaun Hotel, Knocknacarra, Co. Galway. Parents will have until Monday 10 June 2013 to declare their interest.
Corn Peile Ghlór na nGael 2013
May 28, 2013
Connect with Irish speakers all over the world on your smart phone
May 28, 2013
‘Tá an réabhlóid anseo’ (The revolution is here) is the slogan for new smart phone app, Anseo which helps Irish speakers connect with one another in a few quick and easy steps.
This new app which has been developed by Diaga Teo, aims to connect different Irish speaking communities and aid the promotion of the language in general. It is hoped that Anseo will change the way we use Irish language in social settings.
Firstly, users must create a profile giving details on their current location. The app will then find the nearest Irish speaker with a profile set up with Anseo. Users can check out other profiles and message one another to arrange a meeting.
The app also supports local businesses that provide services through Irish and helps users to go about their daily life through Irish by designating a section to business profiles. Users will also be able to keep on top of their social diary with the app’s interactive map which will locate the nearest social event through Irish including Irish classes, concerts, culture clubs and many more.
Anseo is the most developed method of contact for members of the Irish language community at the moment and it is hoped that social circles all over the world will begin to grow all as a result.
For more information and to start a profile with Anseo, visit http://anseoapp.com/ie.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Ard-taitneamh bainte ag daltaí Ghaelscoil na nDéise as cuairt go Gaeltacht na Rinne
May 27, 2013
