Professor Diarmuid Hegarty interview
Griffith College maturing with age Griffith College is marking its 50th year in 2024. Founder Professor Diarmuid Hegarty spoke to Niall Gormley about the background to the college, its somewhat fractious relationship with the state, attitudes to private provision and access to education. Over 40,000 students have passed through the corridors of Griffith College’s various…
Education Magazine
Matt Cooper interview – more than a business beat
By Niall Gormley Matt Cooper has just published his sixth book and completed a 20 year run anchoring The Last Word drivetime show. Asked what surprised him in writing the book Who really owns Ireland? he launches enthusiastically into the story of how massive amounts of money have changed hands, how the bankrupt have bounced…
World Book Day 2024 – LÁ DOMHANDA NA LEABHAR ÉIRE
World Book Day is back for its 25th year of promoting books and the love of reading to all. What’s it all about? World Book Day is a registered charity aiming to give every child a book of their own. It was started by UNESCO in 1995 to celebrate books and authors and to encourage…
Griffith College hosts referendum debate with Ivana Bacik and Michael McDowell
Griffith College, Ireland’s largest independent higher education institution, hosted a referendum debate at its South Circular Road, Dublin campus on Monday, 4th March. Labour Party Leader Ivana Bacik and Independent Senator and former Attorney General, Michael McDowell, debated the upcoming constitutional referendum on the definition of family. The panel was chaired by former High Court…
A Teacher’s Guide to Navigating the Teenage Brain – Susan Kyne Andrews
There is a critical aspect of teacher education that is overlooked. Teacher training is not preparing teachers for the increasing mental health issues arising daily in their classrooms. Usually, a student teacher is someone who has enjoyed their own time in school and who may not readily connect with young people who are having a…
Are micro-credentials the future direction of education systems?
The education world internationally is abuzz with the arrival of micro-credential courses and qualifications. With the EU’s seal of approval last June, MicroCreds have added momentum. But what are they and will they change education for good? Niall Gormley has a look. Education systems have come in for criticism across the world for their focus…
See yourself at Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board
Your Pathway to Success Are you doing your Leaving Certificate this year or maybe you’re looking to further your education but just not sure what to do? Whatever your passion, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB) has over 1,900 courses to choose from. With the CAO deadline fast approaching, explore MSLETB’s wide…
Big thinking, more ambition and real action needed to deliver Net Zero Commitments – Engineers Ireland
New research findings and innovations in the field of agriculture are crucial for our farmers and agri-food industry to reach net zero. However, there is an absolute necessity to include engineering in the mix, to accelerate our pace of progress, according to the newly appointed President of Engineers Ireland, Dr Edmond Harty. Speaking at the…
Students release ‘smart’ pebbles to track climate change impacts
Primary- and second-level students have placed 300 specially adapted RFID-enabled pebbles at Killiney Beach in Dublin and Raghly Beach in Sligo in a project to track coastal erosion. The innovative project aims to strengthen coastal communities’ ability to deal with the impacts of climate change using digital technologies. Led by Dr Chiara Cocco and Dr…
Four ATU research teams win SFI funding to help communities find solutions to societal challenges
Four Atlantic Technological University (ATU) research teams have secured funding from Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) to come up with solutions to societal challenges through engagement and collaboration with communities, under the National Challenge Fund announced recently by Higher Education Minister Simon Harris. The Challenge sees 25 research teams lead projects aimed at helping Ireland prepare…
First-Ever Neurodiversity in Education conference invites educators to foster inclusive practices and support
Kilkenny will host educators, parents, and caregivers to Ireland’s inaugural Neurodiversity in Education Conference, a professional event curated to enhance the inclusivity and support for neurodivergent students of all ages. Under the theme ‘Inclusive Practice’, the conference aims to be a nexus of knowledge and resource sharing among Ireland’s educator community. Conceived and guided by…
Can the Northern education system be reformed?
The education system in Northern Ireland is failing too many of its children. That’s the premise of a conference in November which seeks a path away from sectarian division and away from the 11+ selection system. The one-day event, at the Duncairn Centre in Belfast on Saturday 11th November, has a range of speakers who…
Concern over decrease in numbers sitting higher maths
Engineers Ireland has expressed concern at the continuing decline in the number of students undertaking higher level mathematics at Leaving Certificate. Statistics show that 20,516 Leaving students were awarded grades for the higher level maths paper, representing a 4% decrease when compared to 2022. Although participation in the subject at higher level has increased over…
Free schoolbooks, capitation funding and fee cuts feature in big spending budget
The government has announced the expansion of the Free Schoolbooks and Classroom Resources Scheme to all students accessing the Junior Cycle programme as part of spending promises in this year’s budget. Minister Norma Foley said that the initiative would involve an initial investment of €67 million that will benefit some 212,000 students. The overall package…
Trinity food historian debunks myth that pre-industrial beer was weaker
Irish workers in the 16th-century consumed beer very similar to our own modern beverage with an ABV of 5% and up to 270 calories per pint. This surprising discovery is one of many striking moments captured in a new documentary that follows the remarkable journey of Trinity food historian Susan Flavin as she faithfully replicates…
Research shows nine out of ten people in Ireland want to learn a new skill
Research carried out by Amárach found that while almost half of people reported learning a new skill since the beginning of the year, almost nine out of ten would like to learn one in the near future. Some of the keys findings of the research included: • Of those who have recently learned a new…
Global warming facts for Europe and the Globe
What is the state of climate change? The Copernicus Climate Change Service is the EU’s means of communicating information to EU citizens. Each year it issues a report on the state of play and these are some edited highlights from the document. The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) provides climate monitoring for the globe, Europe…
Dress Up and support Christmas Jumper Day for Focus Ireland
Embrace the festive spirit and make a difference this holiday season by participating in Christmas Jumper Day for Focus Ireland. This annual campaign encourages individuals, groups, and organisations to don their favourite Christmas jumpers and organize fun activities to raise funds for Focus Ireland’s crucial work in tackling homelessness. This year, the appeal is not…
Interview: Maureen Kennelly Director of The Arts Council
By Niall Gormley Among the big ticket items announced in Leinster House as part of Budget 2024 was the news that funding of the Arts Council has reached €134 million. That’s serious money, up from an annual €75m in 2019. Why, when there are so many competing needs, are we spending so much money on…
DCU researchers reveal commuter clean air app
A new app in development at the Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics at Dublin City University could offer pedestrians and cyclists a 17.87 per cent reduction in pollution exposure, initial tests have shown. The team at DCU used data analysis; refining and supplementing the publicly available Google Air Quality dataset for Dublin; to…