Young people endure widespread sexual harassment – report
Up to 80 per cent of adolescents experience sexual harassment in a 12 month period, with a quarter reporting sexual violence. These are among shocking findings contained in a report: Storm and Stress: An Exploration of Sexual Harassment Amongst Adolescents commissioned by Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI). The study focused on the previous 12-month period…
Michael
Third Level representatives set out plans for reopening the sector
The higher education institutions represented by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) and the Technological Higher Education Association (THEA) and RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, have announced their plans for a safe return to campuses this September with maximum on-site presence. The coordinated approach, which has the support of government and endorsement of public…
The ENERGE Project
A co-designed approach to energy saving in schools The creation of a comfortable and energy-responsible learning environment in schools is a complex but rewarding task, which has multiple interlinked dimensions. The ENERGE (Energising Education to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions) project aims to address this through low cost technical, educational and behavioural interventions. ENERGE will be…
Data protection presents ongoing challenges for Irish institutions
Steven Roberts is head of marketing at Griffith College. He is a certified data protection officer and vice-chair of the ACOI’s data protection and information security working group. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) recently marked its third anniversary. Since its introduction on 25th May 2018, data protection has been high on the agenda for…
Richie Sadlier launches SHARE
Ireland’s first online sexual health educational course for teenagers Richie Sadlier may be known for his uncompromising approach both on and off the field, but when it comes to educating students on how to navigate the challenges of young adulthood, compromise, compassion and consent are the key words. The Sexual Health and Relation-ships Education SHARE…
Further Education and Training – More than you might think | The many paths for Leaving Certs
At the best of times, selecting a course can be a very difficult decision for Leaving Certificate students. These are not the best of times. With so much uncertainty over the past number of months, it has been very challenging for any young person trying to make decisions which determine their future. And, there are…
€1m invested in three geothermal energy projects
Technological University Dublin, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and Trinity College Dublin have launched the Embark Fund, a pilot programme to support the development of early-stage commercialisation projects. The fund is available to researchers in TU Dublin, TCD and RCSI providing of up to €15,000 over four months to support the development of…
World’s first hydrogen fuel cell passenger train takes its first steps
The Coradia iLint is the world’s first regional passenger train to enter service equipped with fuel cells to convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, thus eliminating pollutant emissions related to propulsion. The train is completely quiet, and its only emission is water. Purpose-built for use on non-electrified lines, it provides clean, sustainable traction with no…
Electric cars better for climate in 95% of the world says research
Fears that electric cars could actually increase carbon emissions are unfounded in almost all parts of the world, new research shows. Media reports have regularly questioned whether electric cars are really greener once emissions from production and generating their electricity are taken into account. But a new study by the universities of Exeter, Nijmegen and…
Three Irish universities launch Embark Fund
Technological University Dublin, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and Trinity College Dublin have launched the Embark Fund, a pilot programme to support the development of early-stage commercialisation projects. The fund is available to researchers in TU Dublin, TCD and RCSI providing of up to Ä15,000 over four months to support the development of…
Maynooth University recognised as a University of Sanctuary
Maynooth University has been officially designated as a University of Sanctuary in recognition of its initiatives to promote a culture of welcome for refugees, asylums seekers and other migrants into the community. Sanctuary universities have a demonstrated commitment to welcoming asylum seekers and refugees onto their campus through initiatives including bursary and scholarship schemes, and…
Research shows significance of native predators to naturally restore ecosystem
A new research study led by Queen’s University highlights the crucial role that recovering native predators can play in conserving the natural ecosystem. The research reveals how a native predator, the pine marten, is helping to conserve the UK and Ireland’s only native squirrel, the red squirrel. Following introductions in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries,…
UL and CAB target proceeds of crime on new course
A new course launching at University of Limerick will provide training to law enforcement in the area of proceeds of crime investigation, asset identification, seizure, confiscation and recovery. UL and the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) are to work together on the new Postgraduate Diploma in Proceeds of Crime and Asset Identification. The new course…
€3m to retrofit older third level buildings
A new €3 million pilot programme to improve energy efficiency and support decarbonisation in higher education institutions as part of targets in the Climate Action Plan has been announced. Among the initiatives that will be considered include deep retrofitting of older or low energy efficiency buildings to bring them to at least B2 Building Energy…
‘The Hub’ opens at University College Cork
One of the oldest buildings in the centre of the UCC campus has been conserved and transformed, and is now open as the Hub, a new centre designed to streamline student services and support student learning. The Hub, which extends over five floors, unites student services at a single point of contact for 26,000 undergraduate…
Gaeloideachas criticises the process for selecting new secondary schools
Six new post-primary schools are planned to open in 2020 and all are English-medium schools. Gaeloideachas, which promotes Irish-medium education, has criticised the process for selecting these schools. The organisation said that a significant number of parents in the catchment areas for the new schools had expressed a preference for Irish-medium education and are very…
Universities and IoTs make joint Covid-19 appeal to students
The presidents of all of Ireland’s Universities and Institutes of Technology made an unprecedented appeal to their students to fully follow set guidelines on social distancing to protect themselves from infection from the coronavirus. In an email to their 250,000 students the presidents urged compliance with the HSE’s social distancing advice and to limit gatherings…
Viris crisis raises questions over the future of education
As we go to press, the coronavirus crisis is in full swing, bringing the education system to a halt and raising immediate questions as to how this academic year is to end, with big implications for exams and qualifications. As a periodical, we can’t cover this news cycle which is changing by the hour. But…
Teacher training reforms are making progress
Ireland’s teacher training structures have been undergoing reforms recommended by the 2012 report on the system. A new review of the reform process has been released and here is an edited copy of the executive summary. In 2012, the report of an International Review Panel, chaired by Professor Pasi Sahlberg, proposed a vision for the restructuring…
We are all knowledge workers now
Dr Robbie Smyth is the Deputy Head of the Journalism and Media Communications Faculty at Griffith College Dublin. Even if it is pre-emptive to describe the current phase of economic disruption as a fourth industrial revolution as heralded by the World Economic Forum’s Klaus Schwab in 2016, there can be no doubt that the fundamentals…