RCSI in line for university status
The Government has approved a move seeking to advance university designation for the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI). An approved status for the RCSI would mean the institution could finally be recognised both in Ireland as well as abroad as a university. Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor said: “The RCSI has for over 200 years,…
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‘Dramatic’ shortage of engineers in building
The supply of third-level engineering graduates and professional engineering apprentices must dramatically increase to meet the country’s current and future needs, a new report by Engineers Ireland has stated. The report found that the 55% decrease in civil and building engineering graduates over the last five years was ‘a particular cause of concern’, although it…
New teacher sharing scheme for post-primary schools
The Government has announced a new scheme to allow post-primary schools to share teachers in priority subjects. The scheme will start from the beginning of the 2019/20 school year and will be reviewed after the first year of operation. Education Minister Joe McHugh said that the aim of this scheme is to alleviate some of…
Seven universities launch ‘Save Our Spark’ campaign
Ireland’s seven universities have launched a major campaign aimed at encouraging the public to demand that the Government tackles the funding crisis in third level education. State funding per third level student in Ireland at €5,000 is barely half of what it was a decade ago and a fraction of what it is in other…
UL launch campus safety information campaign
The University of Limerick, in conjunction with An Garda Siochana and UL Student Life, has launched a campus safety information campaign. The ‘Campus Watch Booklet’ is part of ongoing collaborations to raise awareness and provide campus safety information to students. The booklet is aimed at encouraging students to be safe on and around the UL…
Four in every five students complete their degree
The Higher Education Authority today published a study on the rates of completion of 34,059 students who entered Irish Universities, Institutes and Colleges full time at undergraduate level in the 2007/8 academic year. These students were tracked over the following ten years and the report finds that overall, 76% of them graduated within that period. …
Brexit is a threat of the Irish education systems says INTO
With substitute shortages endemic across Ireland, a disorderly Brexit presents unique challenges to teachers and the education system according to the INTO. On his way to Brussles to discuss the fallout from Brexit to the education systems north and south INTO Northern Ireland Chair Paddy McAllister said: “As a trade union that operates across the…
Parents and cybersafety
CyberSafeIreland is a non-profit organisation working towards a world in which children are using technology in a safe, positive and successful manner. Start the conversation The important thing is that it becomes a normal part of life to be talking with your children about what they are doing online, i.e. what is fun, what can…
Support around eating disorders
Help and support for families, friends and carers for eating disorders sufferers When someone we care for is in distress, it has an impact on us too. It is natural to want to help and make them feel better. It is not always easy to know the best way of doing this. While it…
The state of engineering
Engineering 2018 is a report from Engineers Ireland tracking developments in an Ireland recovering from the economic downturn, with increasing demand for expertise being rewarding with improved salaries and opportunities Engineering 2018 is a new barometer for the engineering profession in Ireland, capturing trends in engineering employment, perspectives and education. The report is based primarily…
Fencing – teaching the cut and thrust of a new sport
By Patrick Dight – Coach with Munster Blades Fencing Club The sport of fencing is one of the original Modern Olympic disciplines and has been practiced in Ireland since 1906. The national governing body Fencing Ireland (Pionsóireacht Éireann) operate an Interschool fencing programme to foster collaboration and competition between schools. The objective of the sport…
Ireland Skills Live Careers Fair
This is going to be the careers fair like no other. 3D Game of Thrones dragons. Virtual reality engines. Aeronautical engineering demos. Architectural design displays. All live over three days. If you know of any students who just might march to the beat of a different drum, which probably describes everyone you teach, the RDS…
Assessment finds Building Issues at Ardgillan Community College
Information from Dublin & Dun Laoghaire Education & Training Board (DDLETB) Ardgillan Community College, Balbriggan, is a 1000 pupil capacity school under the patronage of DDLETB with a current enrolment of 910 pupils. Phase 1 of the school building was built in 2009, as a design and build contract completed on behalf of the Department…
3,000 international students in UL
University of Limerick will welcome almost 3,000 international students from 100 countries to the campus this year. The international cohort includes students attending the university to take bachelors, masters and research degree courses as well as students visiting for one year, a semester or the summer under the Erasmus exchange and Study Abroad programmes. The…
Over 90% of teachers agree unidentified dyslexia damages children’s self-esteem
The Dyslexia Association have launched research findings to mark Dyslexia Awareness Month in October. The study found that teachers and parents agree that unidentified dyslexia damages children’s self-esteem and mental health. Teachers also lack adequate training in both identifying and supporting children and young people with dyslexia in school. Teachers would also like to see…
Mixed results for Irish universities in international league table
There was mixed results in the Times Higher Education world university rankings for 2019 for Irish universities. The top Irish university, Trinity College Dublin, slipped back marginally from 117th position to 120th. TCD’s marks had actually improved but increased competition had put other institutions ahead. Two Irish universities actually gained places: UCC moved up into…
Burning the candle at both ends: Why we can’t overlook the importance of sleep
In September Apple released the latest upgrade to its iPhone and iPad software – IOS 12. As usual, they made a hullabaloo over its new features and updated apps aimed at changing your life. This time, they also emphasised their attempts at keeping the smartphone out of your life. At part of their Bedtime app,…
Is your institution prepared for the ePrivacy Regulation?
Many schools and colleges are finally starting to draw breath after a hectic year preparing for the arrival of GDPR. Large businesses and multinationals have been able to divert significant resources towards ensuring data protection compliance. However, this is not the case for most educational institutions, particularly at primary and secondary level, who are trying…
Irish Research Council and Minister Halligan announce €22m investment in early-career research
An investment of over €22 million in early-career researchers was announced today (19.09.18) by the Irish Research Council and Minister of State for Training, Skills and Innovation, John Halligan TD. 288 postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers will benefit from the investment, under the Irish Research Council’s Government of Ireland programmes. Water quality in Irish rivers, the…
Irish heather honey buzzing with health benefits comparable with Manuka honey
A research team from Dublin City University and Trinity College Dublin has found that Irish heather honey is quite literally buzzing with health benefits. The findings showed that there was a similar overall presence of powerful antioxidants called phenolic compounds in Irish heather honey as in Manuka honey. These antioxidant compounds help to prevent damage…