Ninth Level Ireland

UL students ‘sheltered from the economic storm’, says Minister

steve — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:23:06 +0000

“‘You are lucky to be in College at the moment, you are sheltered from the economic storm’. said Finance Minister, Michael Noonan at a recent ceremony to award him Honorary Lifetime Membership of the University of Limerick …” (more)

[Ann Styles, An Focal, 27 January]

Sherlock’s Folly – the problem is the system itself

steve — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:20:56 +0000

“There’s been a lot of very worthwhile comment and outrage over the so-called SOPA Ireland debacle in recent days. I have a slightly different viewpoint on this …” (more)

[Mark Dennehy, Stochastic Geometry, 27 January]

Almost 150 staff to leave Queen’s at end of January

steve — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:42:34 +0000

“As part of a university voluntary severance and voluntary retirement scheme, 145 staff will leave their jobs before the spring semester begins. The departures are across all departments and are the result of a voluntary trawl …” (more)

[BBC News, 27 January]

Eoin McKeogh considers YouTube action

steve — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:00:40 +0000

“A student who was falsely accused of dodging a taxi fare in a video posted on the internet, is considering bring proceedings against YouTube chief executive Salar Kamangar …” (more)

[RTÉ News, 27 January]

Aiming to take Ireland higher up the curve

steve — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:22:35 +0000

“The new director general of Science Foundation Ireland wants to see creative partnerships, more impact for Irish research and changed mindsets as he begins his five year term of office. He hopes to witness the opening of Irish high-tech companies but also wants to boost Irish research higher up the international league tables …” (more)

[Dick Ahlstrom, Irish Times, 27 January]

MEP quits in disgust at ACTA ‘charade’

steve — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:44:34 +0000

“Kader Arif, a leading French MEP who had the role of rapporteur – ie, leading investigator – into the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement ACTA – has resigned in protest and denounced the treaty as a charade …” (more)

[John Kennedy, Silicon Republic, 27 February]

IDA: CAO applicants should focus on technology courses

steve — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:54:40 +0000

“CAO applicants should look at courses in science, engineering, maths or languages, according to the IDA. The Industrial Development Authority has said those are the skills multinational companies in Ireland most need …” (more)

[BreakingNews.ie, 27 January]

Universities have a lot to learn about start-ups

steve — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:48:40 +0000

“Irish business funding for research and university technology transfer offices (TTOs) fails to give Irish start-up companies the support they need when they need it. Instead, TTOs tend to take large chunks of company equity in exchange for funding …” (more)

[Karlin Lillington, Irish Times, 27 January]

Nothing to fear from debating with extremists

steve — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:45:43 +0000

“Rather than ban the debate or protest outside the venue, it is our duty to engage and challenge the likes of Nick Griffin, writes Emmanuelle Schön-Quinlivan …” (more)

[Irish Examiner, 27 January]

The tech sector is buoyant, exports are strong, there is a skills shortage, so where are our young scientists?

steve — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:43:34 +0000

“… During the last government, the Innovation Taskforce, of which I was a member, considered changes that must be nurtured in Irish society if our economy is to successfully rebuild. Exceptional teachers like Jim Cooke are few, but we noted the role that experienced engineers and scientists could play in working with the teaching profession to greatly enhance of our school system …” (more)

[Chris Horn, Irish Times, 27 January]

Stem cells – where are we now?

steve — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:39:47 +0000

“Stem cells: two small words that can invoke enormous hype, hope and sometimes confusion. In theory harnessing them could open up new therapies for a range of medical conditions. In practice it’s a complex field, strewn with technical and, in some cases, ethical difficulties …” (more)

[Claire O'Connell, Irish Times, 27 January]

Sherlock agrees to full Dáil debate before signing online copyright law

steve — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:37:09 +0000

“The junior minister behind proposed new laws giving copyright holders the power to seek court injunctions over copyright breaches has agreed not to sign the new laws before holding a full Dáil debate on them …” (more)

[TheJournal.ie, 27 January]

Copyright law should help rather than hinder Ireland

steve — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:34:37 +0000

“For three governments in a row, ‘short-sighted’ and ‘sneaky’ seem to have become the relevant terms in operation when bringing in controversial, high-impact legislation on digital issues. In the past, from the government’s perspective, this approach has worked well …” (more)

[Karlin Lillington, Irish Times,27 January]

Indian independence: UCC marks anniversary

steve — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:31:24 +0000

“The River Lee was compared to the river Ganges by a travel writer from India who visited Ireland 200 years ago. This historical description of Cork was cited yesterday when Indian students of University College Cork marked 82 years since their country’s declaration of independence with a reception at the college …” (more)

[Louise Roseingrave, Irish Times, 27 January]

Griffin ban – Free speech is important

steve — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:29:07 +0000

“Freedom of speech is a fundamental plank of democracy. To deny anyone the right to express his or her views it to engage in censorship of the worst kind …” (more)

[Irish Examiner, 27 January]

The USI’s middle finger to students

steve — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:26:42 +0000

“… On January 18th last, the National Council of the USI voted in a spanking new constitution, complete with rhetoric about ’transparency’, ‘accountability’, and all the rest of it – generally making the USI work better. It’ll certainly work better for President Gary Redmond, who (through the new constitution) can now run for a third term of office …” (more)

[Nicholas Sheridan, Dublin Studenty.me, 26 January]

The private sector is ushering in a university revolution

steve — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:23:42 +0000

“For the higher education sector, these are interesting times. This September, fees will rise by more than 200 per cent at most universities; a new loan scheme will be in place; the quota system for allocating places will be relaxed to enable greater competition; and an auction process for 20,000 places will be introduced …” (more)

[Carl Lygo, Daily Telegraph, 26 January]

Sherlock still committed to signing ‘imminent’ copyright law

steve — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:45:02 +0000

“Junior Innovation Minister Seán Sherlock has said he remains committed to implementing new internet copyright legislation – but has said he is personally willing to bring forward full primary legislation, which would allow for full Oireachtas debates …” (more)

[TheJournal.ie, 26 January]

SOPA and Ireland: Minister publishes draft of statutory instrument

steve — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:05:48 +0000

“… The timing of the statutory instrument, which is due to be signed this week, couldn’t have been worse for the Irish Government considering it was only last week that massive public protest derailed the progress of the SOPA and PIPA bills in the US. Some 30,000 people have signed a petition against the signing of the statutory instrument …” (more)

[John Kennedy, Silicon Republic, 26 January]

In search of the lost paradigm

steve — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:46:59 +0000

“For an academic community, there is always something uplifting about the arrival of one of its respected members in high office. In Ireland this happened last year with the election of Michael D Higgins as President …” (more)

[Ferdinand von Prondzynski, University Blog, 26 January]

Privacy laws: Private data, public rules

steve — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:45:04 +0000

“First came the yodelling, then the pain. The online entrepreneurs and venture capitalists at DLD, a geeks’ shindig this month in Munich, barely had time to recover from their traditional Bavarian entertainment before Viviane Reding, the European Union’s justice commissioner, introduced a new privacy regulation …” (more)

[Economist, 26 January]

Sherlock publishes draft anti-piracy legislation

steve — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:07:28 +0000

“The Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Jobs & Innovation, Sean Sherlock, has published draft legislation for a controversial statutory instrument dealing with online piracy …” (more)

[Business Post, 26 January]

Dublin launches year as European City of Science

steve — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:14:51 +0000

“A year-long celebration of science through art and culture has been launched in Dublin this morning by Minister Richard Bruton and Dara O’Briain …” (more)

[TheJournal.ie, 26 January]

Human capital and economic growth: taking the long view

steve — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:33:50 +0000

“Policy makers, educationalists and others often argue, or at least assert, that education is important (or indeed essential) for economic growth. It is a claim that is often made in the Irish context …” (more)

[Kevin Denny: Economics more-or-less, 26 January]

State of the Union Speech Leaves Many Questions Unanswered

steve — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:31:48 +0000

“President Obama’s State of the Union address Tuesday night was as remarkable for what it included as it was for what it left out. The speech, which focused on jobs and the economy, put higher-education front and center, casting colleges as both engines of economic opportunity and contributors to the affordability crisis …” (more)

[Kelly Field, Chronicle of Higher Education, 25 January]

Third-level rift as university heads labelled ‘arrogant’

steve — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:02:44 +0000

“Senior figures in the institute of technology sector have accused university presidents of ‘arrogance’ in the dispute about new technological universities for Dublin, the southeast and the Border/ midlands/west (BMW) region …” (more)

[Seán Flynn, Irish Times, 26 January]

Legitimate Copyright Protection in Ireland: not SOPA

steve — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:59:32 +0000

“.. The last thing innovators need is a culture where the outputs of their creative endeavours have to be locked away or kept secret for the fear of theft. Ireland is very proud of the fact that we have a modern suite of intellectual property laws that by their very nature balance a range of competing interests and rights in a manner that is seen, right across the globe, as reasonable and proportionate …” (more)

[Cork Politics, 25 January]

Attributive justice

steve — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:57:05 +0000

“With the best of intentions and the worst of outcomes, anonymous marking discredits lecturers and serves students badly. George MacDonald Ross believes greater trust will lead to fairness for all …” (more)

[Times Higher Education, 26 January]

Universities ‘dropping science in favour of media studies’

steve — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:55:05 +0000

“Universities are increasingly axing courses in traditional academic disciplines such as science in favour of the performing arts, media studies and photography, according to research …” (more)

[Graeme Paton, Daily Telegraph, 26 January]

President calls for response to ‘intellectual crisis’ in society

steve — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:52:43 +0000

“Universities need to address the intellectual crisis facing society – as it is far more serious than the economic one, President Michael D Higgins has said …” (more)

[Sean Flynn, Irish Times, 26 January]

UCC withdraws far-right politician’s invitation

steve — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:49:39 +0000

“Almost 40 UCC academics last night welcomed the decision to withdraw an invitation to British far-right leader Nick Griffin to take part in a university debate on free speech …” (more)

[Eoin English, Irish Examiner, 26 January]

Higher Education Grants – HEAR

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:34:30 +0000

“Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of leaving certificate students who have applied for the higher education access route, HEAR, grant from as far back as August 2011, are still waiting for medical cards to be issued and that one of the criteria for applying for HEAR is that the family hold a medical card in 2011; and if he will ensure that disadvantaged students are not excluded from receiving the HEAR grant due to the long delays in issuing medical cards …” (more)

[Dáil Éireann, 24 January]

Public Sector Pay – Low pay

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:31:23 +0000

“Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he decides to impose further pay cuts on public servants, if a poverty impact assessment will take place in advance …” (more)

[Dáil Éireann, 24 January]

Public Sector Pay

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:28:26 +0000

“Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of employees in the public sector currently on salaries in excess of €200,000; and the names of the employees in each case and the position they hold …” (more)

[Dáil Éireann, 24 January]

Ireland’s SOPA to permit three strikes; TDs asked to debate something they haven’t seen

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:16:00 +0000

“It’s been a peculiar day in relation to Ireland’s SOPA. First of all, junior minister Seán Sherlock said on lunchtime radio that he intends to hold an emergency Dáil debate on the law – within 24 hours no less! …” (more)

[TJ McIntyre, IT Law in Ireland, 25 January]

University town status for Athlone?

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:25:36 +0000

“Athlone IT could be part of a new technological university which would become the largest educational institution in the State, catering for over 27,000 students …” (more)

[Deirdre Verney, Westmeath Independent, 25 January]

Locked in the Ivory Tower: Why JSTOR Imprisons Academic Research

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:22:58 +0000

“This morning, I searched for an article about autism on JSTOR, the online database of academic journals. I have a child on the autistic spectrum, and I like to be aware of the latest research on the topic. I could not access any of the first 200 articles that contained the word ‘autism’. That’s because, for the most part, only individuals with a college ID card can read academic journal articles …” (more)

[Laura McKenna, Atlantic Mobile, 20 January]

A Central Researcher in the H5N1 Flu Debate Breaks His Silence

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:20:44 +0000

“In the heated debate about two labs that engineered a variant of the deadly H5N1 avian flu virus that for the first time easily transmits between mammals, one critical voice has been missing: Yoshihiro Kawaoka. But today, Kawaoka speaks his mind …” (more)

[Jon Cohen, ScienceInsider, 25 January]

Full text of President’s speech

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:18:36 +0000

“Full text of the address by President Michael D Higgins on receipt of Doctorate of Laws (Honoris Causa) from National University of Ireland at the conferring ceremony in Dublin Castle …” (more)

[Irish Times, 25 January]

In full: Seán Sherlock’s full briefing note on copyright protection

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:57:33 +0000

“The following is the full text of a briefing note prepared by innovation minister Seán Sherlock this evening, and circulated to all members of the Dáil and the Oireachtas …” (more)

[TheJournal.ie, 25 January]

The Leiden Ranking

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:47:02 +0000

“At the QS World University Rankings, we are always keen to see how other people go about looking at universities. This month has been notable for the appearance of the Leiden ranking, which offers a highly specific view of academic excellence as expressed through citations …” (more)

[Martin Ince, QS Intelligence Unit, 25 January]

Halligan furious at ‘watered down’ university plan

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:28:46 +0000

“Waterford and Carlow IT’s bid for technological university status will be one of at least three and possibly more similar applications this year, it emerged this week …” (more)

[Michelle Clancy, Munster Express, 25 January]

Ireland and EU to sign controversial ACTA treaty tomorrow

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:26:16 +0000

“Ireland is to sign a controversial international agreement tomorrow which promises a major international crackdown on the trade of counterfeit goods – and illegal internet filesharing …” (more)

[TheJournal.ie, 25 January]

Trinity College Head appointed as new Imperial College Principal

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:18:49 +0000

“Prof Dermot Kelleher, the Head of the School of Medicine at Trinity College, has been appointed as Principal of the Medical School at Imperial College in London. Imperial is one of the top five medical schools in the world …” (more)

[Gary Culliton, Irish Medical Times, 24 January]

Questioning the Taoiseach | The SOPA legislation

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:14:11 +0000

“Wikipedia blacked itself out recently in protest at new US legislation – the campaign is known as SOPA (Stop the Online Piracy Act). There are fears that Ireland may be about to follow the US’s lead, with Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Seán Sherlock, saying he will be bringing in new legislation in this area possibly as soon as this coming Tuesday …” (more)

[Stephen Donnelly TD, 25 January]

Exams make our hands sore, say students

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:12:14 +0000

“Normal life can be resumed now that January exams are drawing to a close. But as budding scientists and mathematicians stroll carefree to their lectures, humanities students are left nursing a rather ugly legacy – the writer’s bump. Held aloft in pride and anguish, the bulbous callus caused by prolonged use of a pen is proof of exam exertion …” (more)

[Rebecca Ratcliffe, Guardian, 25 January]

Exam Time

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:56:44 +0000

“I’m just coming to the end of marking for the first semester. What a tedious task it is! I have small classes (20-30 students) so I can’t imagine what it’s like marking a first year module with a couple of hundred students. Marking is often a depressing experience …” (more)

[educationandstuff, 25 January]

Ireland taking a ‘whole of Government’ response to Anonymous threat

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:54:50 +0000

“A response to hacker group Anonymous’ attack on a number of Irish Government websites in light of the controversial statutory instrument dubbed Ireland’s SOPA is being met with a ‘whole of Government response to the threat’ …” (more)

[John Kennedy, Silicon Republic, 25 January]

Students at Public Universities, Colleges Will Bear the Burden of Reduced Funding for Higher Education

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:52:32 +0000

“Over the past year, state funding for higher education has declined by nearly 8%. In real terms, that amounts to $6bn less being funneled into the nation’s public colleges and universities at a time when the demand for the degrees they provide is at an all-time high …” (more)

[Kayla Webley, Time, 25 January]

Sherlock open to Dáil debate on plans for online piracy law

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:48:46 +0000

“The junior minister preparing a controversial new Statutory Instrument dealing with online copyright protection has said he is open to holding a Dáil debate on the issue …” (more)

[TheJournal.ie, 25 January]

GMIT to anchor Ireland’s biggest uni

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:33:09 +0000

“GMIT is set to be the centre of Ireland’s biggest university, after new plans for a merger between five institutes of technology were revealed this week …” (more)

[Marie Madden, Galway Independent, 25 January]

University in South East ‘would not hit other third-level institutions’

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:27:14 +0000

“A group of Irish university presidents is arguing that there is ‘no persuasive evidence’ of a need for a university in the South East – but one local campaigner says Kilkenny is ideally poised to become an Oxford-type campus …” (more)

[Kilkenny People, 25 January]

DkIT in tech university talks

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:24:24 +0000

“Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) and four other institutes of technology in the Border, Midlands and West (BMW) region are at an advanced stage in discussions regarding the establishment of a technological university …” (more)

[Dundalk Democrat, 25 January]

Obama boosts science in State of the Union address

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:22:01 +0000

“US President Barack Obama’s 65-minute State of the Union address last night (24 January) touched on themes and issues that were expected, calling for measures to revitalize the economy and urging that the very wealthy pay higher tax rates — a minimum of 30% for those with more than $1m in income …” (more)

[Meredith Wadman, Nature News Blog, 25 January]

Nick Griffin Invitation Withdrawn

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:20:01 +0000

“As of Monday January 23rd, it has been announced that the invitation to British National Party leader, Nick Griffin, to speak at a UCC Government and Politics Society debate in February, has been withdrawn. Cork Against Fascism, a campaign group made up of students, staff and members of the public, which formed in response to the invitation to Griffin, welcomes this decision …” (more)

[Indymedia Ireland, 25 January]

Public Sector Pay and Increments

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:18:11 +0000

“Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is considering the freezing of civil and public sector pay increments in his preparation for budget 2013 …” (more)

[Dáil Éireann Written Answers, 24 January]

Bill to extend remit of Science Foundation Ireland

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:10:54 +0000

“Sean Sherlock TD, Minister for Research and Innovation, has announced that the Government has approved the drafting of a bill to extend the remit of Science Foundation Ireland to include funding of applied research in order to support the development of research findings into commercial opportunities …” (more)

[Cork Politics, 25 January]

Programme 123, Young Scientists & Guidance Counselling (22-1-12)

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:55:42 +0000

“Presented and produced by Seán Delaney. Guidance interview by Barry Hennessy. In this programme young scientists who studied education topics describe their studies …” (more, mp3)

[Inside Education on 103.2 Dublin City FM, 25 January]

Student regulations in Oxford and Uzbekistan – Guess which is from the 16th Century

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:53:25 +0000

“Students have always behaved badly. Not all of them and not all of the time but universities have often felt the need to seek to constrain the worst excesses. In 1584 at Oxford University, statutes were approved to prevent disorder among the student body. These regulations also contain references to specific degree requirements including attendance at lectures on Aristotle and an instruction not to play football …” (more)

[Registrarism, 25 January]

Government has ‘no intention’ of restricting internet freedom

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:25:47 +0000

“The government has ‘no intention’ of introducing legislation that would restrict the freedom of Irish internet users, the Junior Minister at the Dept of Jobs, Enterprise Innovation Seán Sherlock has said …” (more)

[TheJournal.ie, 24 January]

Sugar-coated bacteria may help in fight against cancer, says UCC

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:22:59 +0000

“A spoonful of sugar, as any parent knows, helps the medicine go down — but it could also play a key role in preventing cancer and serious infections …” (more)

[Fiachra Ó Cionnaith, Irish Examiner, 25 January]

Medical Academics Could Be Legally Liable for Ghostwritten Articles

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:20:57 +0000

“Condemnation by ethicists and loss of grant money are not the only penalties facing academics who put their names on medical-journal articles they didn’t write. Personal-injury lawyers have them in their sights now, too …” (more)

[Josh Fischman, Chronicle of Higher Education, 24 January]

Croke Park Agreement

steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:18:33 +0000

“Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is satisfied that the Croke Park Agreement is achieving the necessary reform and savings; if he will outline the savings required under the agreement for 2011 and 2012; if there are any circumstances under which he envisages a reopening of the Croke Park Agreement if there is a deepening of the Eurozone crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil Éireann Priority Questions, 24 January]

The Great Unbundling of the University

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:17:33 +0000

“… For a long time now, universities have flourished by offering a bundled package of knowledge and credentialing. People attended university in order to learn stuff that they couldn’t learn elsewhere – because the experts weren’t elsewhere – and to be certified by those experts as having actually learned said stuff. The bundle has been a culturally powerful one. But now: unbundling …” (more)

[Alan Jacobs, The Atlantic, 23 January]

Presidents oppose university for the south east: last sting of a dying wasp?

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:09:42 +0000

“The panic issuing from the 7 heads of the 7 universities, through the obliging offices of Irish Times journalist, Seán Flynn, is palpable. Just as the remove of a thunderstorm can be gauged by counting the seconds between lightning and thunder, so too does the frequency of their ‘appeals to reason’ reflect the likelihood of university provision in the south east region …” (more)

[The Norman Wyse Commentary, 24 January]

Renewed USI Constitution Introduced

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:06:18 +0000

“On Wednesday January 18th the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) introduced a renewed constitution with Gary Redmond opening the new congress asserting that he wanted the USI to remain fit for purpose …” (more)

[Donie O'Sullivan, College Tribune, 24 January]

‘Special Task Force’ set up for new running track

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:03:13 +0000

“A special task force has been set up by the UCD that aims to expedite the search for funding for the development of a new running track on campus. The previous track was closed, without any prior notice, in November by the university …” (more)

[Donie O'Sullivan, College Tribune, 24 January]

Opposition to establishment of technological universities

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:00:07 +0000

“University heads warn it would be ‘reckless’ to pursue radical changes to higher education ‘when the survival of the system is under threat’. Any Government plan to establish a new university in the southeast makes no sense when the current system is seriously underfunded and battling for its survival, the university presidents claim …” (more)

[Education Matters, 24 January]

Plans to create a technological university in BMW region

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:56:55 +0000

“The five institutes of technology in Ireland’s border, midlands and west (BMW) region are thrashing out the idea of creating a technological university, which would also ignite greater linkages with local industry …” (more)

[Carmel Doyle, Silicon Republic, 24 February]

Myers attacks College and anti-fascists over Nick Griffin invitation debacle

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:54:32 +0000

“Irish Independent journalist Kevin Myers has criticised both College and the anti-fascist groups who opposed Nick Griffin’s invitation to speak at a University Philosophical Society debate on immigration …” (more)

[Jack Leahy, University Times, 24 February]

Minister for Education and Skills to address Education Committee

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:28:58 +0000

“Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn TD will come before the Joint Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education tomorrow, 25th January, to discuss a range of education matters. Among the issues to be addressed …” (more)

[Houses of the Oireachtas, 24 January]

Institutes of Technology join forces to plan ‘technological university’

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:01:21 +0000

“Plans are well advanced to form what would be Ireland’s largest higher education institution. Negotiations are ongoing between Institutes of Technology in Donegal, Dundalk, Galway, Athlone and Sligo to establish the Border Midlands West Technological University …” (more)

[BreakingNews.ie, 24 January]

Government set to drop private universities plan

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:59:20 +0000

“The government has abandoned plans to reform the university system that would have made it easier for private colleges to set up new universities. A higher education bill due to be introduced in the Queen’s speech has been delayed indefinitely …” (more)

[Jeevan Vasagar, Guardian, 24 January]

An inaugural concert by Crash Ensemble launches Trinity College Dublin’s Music Composition Centre

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:57:26 +0000

“… The Music Composition Centre is the latest exciting development in Trinity’s Creative Arts, Technologies and Culture initiative. Music Composition is one of six flagship areas of creative practice for which Trinity is renowned …” (more)

[Trinity College Communications Office, 24 January]

Why I am taking my university to court

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:55:07 +0000

“First year biological science student Sam Weaver is taking the university of Birmingham to court over its widely publicised ‘ban’ on protests, he explains here in his own words what has lead him to take this extraordinary step …” (more)

[HT: Eoin O'Dell]
[Bright Green, 24 January]

Ireland faces its own SOPA battle

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:52:44 +0000

“Before the end of January Ireland will have enacted its own SOPA-style legislation – without discussion or vote in the Oireachtas, the Irish parliament – allowing parts of the internet deemed to aid piracy or infringe copyright to be censored from the Irish public …” (more)

[Darren McCarra, The Sociable, 24 January]

Is Ireland about to pass its own SOPA?

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:01:23 +0000

“Any day now, the Government of Ireland will sign a statutory instrument that will give courts the power to grant orders to ISPs and other entities suspected of infringing copyright. This will be done at the stroke of a minister’s pen and without any parliamentary debate …” (more)

[John Kennedy, Silicon Republic, 24 January]

Call for debate on university funding

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:21:31 +0000

“Academics have called for a debate on the likely impact of independence on the funding of Scottish universities. UCU Scotland, which represents lecturers, made the call after warnings that funding from UK-wide research bodies could dry up in an independent Scotland …” (more)

[Andrew Denholm, Herald Scotland, 24 January]

Teacher’s Pet

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:43:54 +0000

“A university for the southeast? Both the Department of Education and the Higher Education Authority were anxious to play down those reports of a new Technological University (TU) for the southeast, bringing together Waterford and Carlow ITs …” (more)

[Irish Times, 24 January]

University heads deny accusations of elitism

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:53:10 +0000

“The seven university presidents have denied charges of academic elitism after raising concerns about the possible establishment of a Technological University (TU) in the south-east …” (more)

[Seán Flynn, Irish Times, 24 January]

Intolerance of intolerance, and threats to free speech

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:48:46 +0000

“… As with earlier attempts to legislate truth, this is profoundly misguided. We must not meet intolerance with intolerance. We must persuade others to avoid the intolerant; but we must not ban the intolerant …” (more)

[Eoin O'Dell, Cearta, 24 January]

The last word in new universities?

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:42:22 +0000

“A quarter century ago neither the university for which I now work, nor the one for which I worked until last spring, had university status. And yet, over the years since they were given this status, both have thrived …” (more)

[Ferdinand von Prondzynski, University Blog, 24 January]

What was all the hard work for?

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:38:56 +0000

“… As for the holidays, well they’re just ridiculous. He had a full month off for Christmas. He’ll only be back a few weeks and they’ll be off again for a ‘reading week’ (actually two weeks). What are the universities playing at? These academics are well-paid and they should not be getting these kinds of holidays. The students certainly don’t need them. My son established a good study pattern in school and it’s falling apart …” (more)

[Irish Times, 24 January]

UCC invitation to BNP leader pulled

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:35:13 +0000

“The planned participation by British National Party leader Nick Griffin in a debate at University College Cork next month will not now go ahead after a college society withdrew its invitation to Mr Griffin …” (more)

[Irish Times, 24 January]

Chatterbox

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:33:06 +0000

“New technological university for the south east “Great, two more underfunded universities, Progress …” (more)

[Irish Times, 24 January]

An Irish SOPA: More Haste, Less Speed?

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:27:32 +0000

“Last Sunday Adrian Weckler had a piece in the Sunday Business Post reporting a conversation with Minister for State, Séan Sherlock, about his intention to introduce legislation that would provide for extensive ISP blocking in Ireland. Detail is somewhat light, although unsurprisingly so really …” (more)

[Fiona de Londras, Human Rights in Ireland, 24 January]

Students ‘will not be hit by exodus of teachers’

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:24:30 +0000

“The exodus of staff from schools at the end of February will not leave pupils without teachers, parents have been assured. There are enough teachers seeking employment to fill the gaps, according to school managers and unions …” (more)

[Katherine Donnelly, Independent, 24 January]

DCU decide against O’Byrne switch plea

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:22:13 +0000

“The Bord na Mona O’Byrne Cup final will go ahead on Sunday, despite fears that finalists DCU would look for a postponement. DCU are due to open their Sigerson Cup campaign against Cork IT next Tuesday …” (more)

[Cliona Foley, Independent, 24 January]

Scientific Cheating Is Ancient History

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:19:55 +0000

“Though much in the news today, scientific misconduct goes back at least as far as the ancient Greeks, according to an essay in The Nation by Charles Gross. The astronomer Ptolemy of Alexandria, Gross reports, may have pinched unacknowledged work by an earlier researcher …” (more)

[Beryl Benderly, Science Careers Blog, 23 January]

American-backed private universities plan dropped

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:17:08 +0000

“David Cameron and Nick Clegg are to abandon radical plans to reform Britain’s university system that would have seen more private firms competing to educate students, The Daily Telegraph can disclose …” (more)

[Robert Winnett and Graeme Paton, Daily Telegraph, 23 January]

The Coming Crash in Legal Education: How We Got Here, and Where We Go Now

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:14:37 +0000

“Abstract: This paper will first track the ways in which the legal services market has grown and changed over the past forty years. It will then track the major changes that have attended legal education during the same period and the increasing dependence of the legal education industry on student debt. The paper will then explore why, at long last, the boom-times may have run their course …” (more)

[Richard Bourne, SSRN, 23 January]

Apple’s E-textbooks should be free textbooks

steve — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:11:52 +0000

“The rules of the game dictate that any effort to move into America’s large and lucrative education publishing industry must be swaddled in pieties, and the electronic textbook initiative announced by Apple last week was no exception …” (more)

[Matthew Yglesias, Slate, 23 January]

University talks at ‘advanced’ stage

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:03:04 +0000

“Five institutes of technology in the Border, Midlands and West (BMW) region said today they were at an ‘advanced stage’ discussions regarding the establishment of a technological university. If approved by Government approval, they say a Border Midlands West Technological University (BMW TU) would create the largest higher education institution in the State with 27,000 students …” (more)

[Seán Flynn, Irish Times, 23 January]

Head to head: USI membership

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:58:01 +0000

“Every fortnight two Trinity students pit themselves against each other on a major issue in higher education. In this issue, Ronan Richardson and Grace O’Malley discuss the upcoming referendum on USI Membership …” (more)

[Trinity News, 23 January]

Could UK fees lead to a place race at Trinity?

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:56:03 +0000

“The rise in UK higher education fees are expected to have a drastic effect on the number of British and Irish students applying to study in Trinity College Dublin in the coming year …” (more)

[Eoghan Hughes, Trinity News, 23 January]

Operators reaffirm objections to ‘Irish SOPA’ law

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:51:57 +0000

“A collection of Irish telecoms operators has reaffirmed its criticism of the government’s intention to introduce a new law that would grant injunctions to music and film companies against internet service providers …” (more)

[Adrian Weckler, Business Post, 23 January]

New sporting center of excellence for UCC

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:39:00 +0000

“UCC is set a develop a new sporting centre of excellence for sport on a 100 acre site at Curraheen, on the outskirts of the city. The project is a joint venture between UCC and the Munster Agricultural Society …” (more)

[Cork Student News, 23 January]

Outlook for Higher Education Remains Mixed, Moody’s Says

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:35:54 +0000

“In a report released on Monday, Moody’s Investors Service sticks with the mixed outlook for higher education that it established last year: For leading colleges that are well managed and diversified, the market is looking stable. For the rest, not so much …” (more)

[Scott Carlson, Chronicle of Higher Education, 23 January]

Online Social Network Seeks to Overhaul Peer Review in Scientific Publishing

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:33:40 +0000

“Three Finnish researchers have created an online service that could eventually replace or supplement the current way journals get scientists to peer review submitted manuscripts. Already partnered with the ecology journal Ecography, published by Wiley, Peerage of Science is an innovative social network of scientists …” (more)

[Jop de Vrieze, ScienceInsider, 23 January]

Five ITs in ‘advanced’ discussions on technological university

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:38:56 +0000

“The heads of five Institutes of Technology from the Border, Midlands and West region have confirmed they are at an ‘advanced stage’ in talks to establish a common ‘technological university’ …” (more)

[TheJournal.ie, 23 January]

Ireland’s SOPA: A FAQ

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:34:54 +0000

“What’s this all about? Long story short: the Irish government plans, before the end of January, to bring in a law which would allow Irish courts to block access to websites accused of infringing copyright (and possibly do other things as well) …” (more)

[TJ McIntyre, IT Law in Ireland, 23 January]

System justification and public sector reform: The psychology of the permanent government

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:32:13 +0000

“Why, perhaps even more noticeably than other election promises, have successive governments’ pledges to reform the public sector, failed? Why, when previously in opposition vociferously calling for changes in practice, do politicians seem to substantially dilute their proposals? …” (more)

[Dr Ciarán Mc Mahon, 23 January]

Private college faces objection in trade mark bid

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:41:19 +0000

“The New College of the Humanities – a private college being set up in London – is facing official objections to its bid to trademark its name. The Intellectual Property Office (IPO), responsible for registering such names, says it has objected to the proposal …” (more)

[Sean Coughlan, BBC News, 23 January]

UCC society withdraws Nick Griffin invite to ‘free speech’ debate

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:09:39 +0000

“… In a statement this afternoon, the UCC Government and Politics Society said it had withdrawn the invitation as a result of submissions from University staff and Gardaí, who had outlined a ‘potential threat to the safety and welfare of our students and the general public’ …” (more)

[TheJournal.ie, 23 January]

Dublin student faced with legal costs ‘enough to buy house’ after losing court case

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:35:41 +0000

“Dublin student Eoin McKeogh now finds himself faced with legal costs enough to buy him a modest property after losing his injunction case in the High Court …” (more)

[Donal MacHenry, StudentNews.ie, 23 January]

Anyone for Quidditch? Harry Potter game kicks off at Oxford

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:33:22 +0000

“Huddled together in the chill January wind, the players listened as a PPE fresher in a black cape read the rules of the game: a Quaffle through a hoop would score 10 points, capturing the Snitch would yield a bountiful 30, and under no circumstances was there to be any ‘grabbing of broomsticks’ …” (more)

[Lizzy Davies, Guardian, 23 January]

Consumerism in higher education: the rise of the helicopter parent

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:31:20 +0000

“In my own experience and judging by the experience of those who have many more years in academia than I do, there is one trend that is steadily and maddeningly on the rise: parents telephoning deans, provosts, and college and university presidents – yes, presidents – to plead on their children’s behalf …” (more)

[Afshan Jafar, Guardian Higher Education, 23 January]

The Imperfect University

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:29:14 +0000

“… What I want to do in this series is highlight the difficulties and the good stuff but also all the ways in which we can, those of us who work in or take an interest in higher education, make our way in this extraordinary environment. Some of these pieces will inevitably involve reworking some previous posts but this will hopefully be in an interesting and different way …” (more)

[Registrarism, 23 January]

Campus Reactions to Apple’s Entry Into E-Textbook Market

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:26:53 +0000

“… College administrators and professors had mixed reactions to the news: some said it could spur far greater adoption of digital textbooks, while others criticized the product for relying too heavily on Apple products, leaving out key support for PCs and tablets running Android software. Below are some points made by campus leaders …” (more)

[Jeffrey R Young, Chronicle of Higher Education, 22 January]

Third-level presidents oppose new university

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:54:10 +0000

“Any government plan to establish a new university in the southeast makes no sense when the current system is seriously underfunded and battling for its survival, according to the seven university presidents …” (more)

[Seán Flynn, Irish Times, 23 January]

Bad Anti-Piracy Law Emerging in Ireland

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:48:55 +0000

“In his weekly Sunday Business Post column, Adrian Weckler publishes some of the thinking of the Irish government concerning online piracy and it’s not good for innovation or technology. It appears that proposed measures will cede authority on the matter to judges who can decide what online content or services to block …” (more)

[Bernie Goldbach, Inside View from Ireland, 23 January]

Over 50,000 apply for college places

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:46:31 +0000

“Almost 54,500 people have already entered the race for college places this autumn up to last Friday’s early Central Applications Office (CAO) deadline. The figure is 2,730 higher than the 51,761 who did so by the same time last year …” (more)

[Niall Murray, Irish Examiner, 23 January]

Lecturers in dispute over job loss claims

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:44:05 +0000

“University lecturers are refusing to co-operate with the Croke Park agreement in a dispute over what they claim are compulsory redundancies at Trinity College Dublin …” (more)

[Seán Flynn, Irish Times, 23 January]

Up to 1,600 teachers to retire before changes to pensions

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:41:11 +0000

“The Government is likely to have to recruit hundreds of school teachers later this year to plug gaps left by a bigger-than-expected uptake of staff leaving before new pension changes take effect next month …” (more)

[Paul Cullen, Irish Times, 23 January]

Alice Roberts hits out at science ‘geeks’

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:38:52 +0000

“Teenagers should be encouraged to study the arts and humanities in preparation for a career in science to shed the subject’s ‘geeky’ image, according to the anatomist Alice Roberts …” (more)

[Graeme Paton, Daily Telegraph, 22 January]

Newspapers cleared of breaching student’s injunction

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:35:42 +0000

“A High Court judge has dismissed claims that a number of national newspapers breached the terms of injunctions obtained by a 22-year-old student arising out of postings accompanying an internet video clip which he says defamed him …” (more)

[Aodhan O'Faolain, Irish Times, 23 January]

How many universities is too many?

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:33:31 +0000

“Readers with little time on their hands can simply read this first sentence take-home message; all the Irish universities should, as matter of urgency, be rolled into a revamped National university, and all degrees awarded to date by DCU and UL should be validated by that body …” (more)

[University Blog on Academic Tenure in Ireland, 22 January]

IFUT defers full engagement in Croke Park Agreement pending resolution of Compulsory Redundancy issue

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:27:56 +0000

“The National Executive of the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) has voted to instruct all its branches to defer negotiations on implementation of productivity concessions under the Croke Park Agreement, pending resolution of a serious dispute in Trinity College Dublin …” (more)

[Irish Federation of University Teachers, 22 January]

UCDSU President calls for referendum on SU stance on free education

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:25:04 +0000

“UCD Students’ Union President, Pat de Brún, has announced his intention of putting a motion to SU Council that would call for a referendum regarding the Union’s stance on free education and free fees …” (more)

[Katie Hughes, University Observer, 22 January]

Council and NUIG determined to make ‘Greenway’ project a reality

steve — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:20:46 +0000

“Fears that funding for a major ‘Greenway’ for the city would be withdrawn by the Government, causing the project to collapse, appear to be unfounded as both City Hall and NUI Galway are determined to press ahead with the walkway …” (more)

[Kernan Andrews, Galway Advertiser, 19 January]

Student drinking at ‘hazardous’ levels

steve — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:05:53 +0000

“Over a third of university students meet the criteria for hazardous drinking and almost half exceed thresholds for acute harm at least once a month, an Australian-first study has found …” (more)

[John Ross, The Australian, 23 January]

Adrian Weckler confims that ‘Ireland’s SOPA’ will be vague and open-ended

steve — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:38:07 +0000

“Adrian Weckler has a worrying piece on government proposals for blocking legislation in today’s Sunday Business Post (paywalled). I’ve taken the liberty of extracting some of the highlights: …” (more)

[TJ McIntyre, IT Law in Ireland, 22 January]

Lectures selling students short: evidence from Science

steve — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:14:24 +0000

“Academics will go to any length to defend the lecture (see twitter feed on my Don’t lecture me! talk). No matter how much evidence there is to show that it is poor pedagogic practice, they resist the change …” (more)

[Donald Clark Plan B, 22 January]

Student loses case against newspapers

steve — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:45:24 +0000

“A student has lost his case against six newspapers in a bid to block them naming him in connection with an allegedly defamatory video …” (more)

[RTÉ News, 22 January]

Hayes: Scrapping Croke Park deal would be ‘nonsensical’

steve — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:14:38 +0000

“Minister of State at the Department of Finance Brian Hayes has today branded the notion of scrapping the Croke Park Agreement as ‘nonsensical’ …” (more)

[BreakingNews.ie, 22 January]

Politics and Process in introducing the ‘Technological University’

steve — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 13:43:55 +0000

Some argue that there is a political battle in progress, which those favouring new universities will shortly win. As the Times has recently stated, “The Southeast is set to win its long battle for university status, despite strong opposition from some university presidents and senior figures in the HEA” (Irish Times, 17 January). However, this view is wrong in every important respect … (more)

DCU boss critical of McGuinness

steve — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 12:54:22 +0000

“DCU manager Niall Moyna has accused Donegal boss Jim McGuinness of ‘abuse of players’ after Martin McElhinney picked up an injury warming up for a challenge game on Saturday. McElhinney, a student at the Dublin university, was given time off in the preparations for last night’s O’Byrne Cup clash with Meath because of upcoming examinations …” (more)

[RTÉ Sport, 22 January]

High Court will today rule in DCU student injunction case

steve — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 12:03:32 +0000

“The High Court will today rule whether to grant an order to a 22 year old DCU business student, stopping national newspapers identifying him in the press over an online video …” (more)

[Newstalk, 22 January]

Infographic: Why you should get more sleep

steve — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 08:24:21 +0000

“Getting up early is a common trait among CEOs, but don’t get carried away. Not getting enough sleep can lead to weight gain, cancer and other adverse consequences described in the following infographic …” (more)

[TheJournal.ie, 22 January]

End Croke Park deal, FG rebels tell Enda

steve — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 08:16:53 +0000

“Taoiseach Enda Kenny is under mounting pressure from Fine Gael TDs to ‘stop pretending’ that the Croke Park deal on public sector pay remains viable, the Sunday Independent can reveal …” (more)

[Daniel McConell, Independent, 22 January]

Family of falsely accused man near breaking point

steve — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 08:13:27 +0000

“The parents of a DCU student who was falsely accused of being a taxi-fare dodger in an online video have told the Sunday Independent they are ‘close to breaking point’. Speaking briefly at the High Court yesterday …” (more)

[Niamh Horan, Independent, 22 January]

What is the role of Law Schools in the Policy Process?

steve — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 08:10:31 +0000

“What should be the role of a law school the policy process? At first glance, the question might look odd. Law schools are not political institutions with a mandate to develop or deliver public policy …” (more)

[Dean Sossin's Blog, 21 January]

Does Math Really Exist?

steve — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 08:07:58 +0000

“In the midst of a rather interesting discussion of the notion of Aristotle’s Unmoved Mover, Leah Libresco went on a mild digression about the philosophy of mathematics that I couldn’t let go of …” (more)

[Alex Knapp, Forbes, 21 January]

The (legal) case against an Irish SOPA

steve — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 08:05:11 +0000

“The publicity and success of the anti-SOPA campaign in the US has put internet blocking on the agenda worldwide and Paul Quigley’s excellent column in the Journal explains how Ireland is moving towards similar types of blocking – only by the stroke of a Ministerial pen and without any legislation by the Oireachtas …” (more)

[TJ McIntyre, IT Law in Ireland, 21 January]

DIT spearheads product management post-grad for IT sector

steve — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 08:02:57 +0000

“A new post-graduate qualification in product management for the Irish software and technology sectors created by a group of Irish software companies will be launched at Dublin Institute of Technology in September …” (more)

[John Kennedy, Silicon Republic, 20 January]

Lecturers break with Croke Park agreement over staff redundancies

steve — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:10:39 +0000

“The Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) told The University Times on Friday that they were ‘stalling all further engagement with the Croke Park Agreement process’ in the wake of compulsory redundancies in Trinity College. The announcement is expected to be made official with a press release on Sunday evening …” (more)

[Rónán Burtenshaw, University Times, 21 January]

Thousands of EU students fail to repay loans

steve — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:34:39 +0000

“Thousands of foreign students who have borrowed British taxpayers’ money to study at universities in England are failing to repay their loans. Official figures show that 45% of students from European Union countries who were liable to start repaying loans had disappeared or were in arrears as of last April …” (more)

[Julie Henry, Daily Telegraph, 21 January]

Public Meeting ‘Fascism: What it is and how to fight it’

steve — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 18:36:38 +0000

“Nick Griffin has been invited to speak at a ‘debate’ at UCC on Feb 23rd. We need to get that event cancelled …” (more)

[Paul McAndrew, Indymedia Ireland, 21 January]

Student seeks injunctions over video

steve — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 18:14:52 +0000

“The High Court has reserved judgment in the case of a Dublin City University student seeking injunctions against several national newspapers from publishing his name in connection with allegedly defamatory video material …” (more)

[Irish Times, 21 January]

Discrimination against students on the basis of disability – 2 new rulings

steve — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:08:38 +0000

Two new tribunal rulings in this evolving area of discrimination law.

1. Dyslexia, dyspraxia and Irlen Syndrome – reasonable accommodation. “The complainant submitted that he was not provided with reasonable accommodation by the respondent with respect to the course in question. In that context, he referred to a number of particular requirements which he considered to be special treatment or facilities without which it was impossible or unduly difficult for him to complete the course in question …” (Ryan v. DIT, Equality Tribunal, 2 December 2011)

2. Marking of assignments from student with specific learning difficulty. “The complainant submitted that when he met with the assessor to discuss his grades he noted that the scripts were heavily marked with corrections made by a red pen. This, the complainant submitted, is directly in breach of the university’s own guidelines …” (A Student v. DCU, Equality Tribunal, 23 December 2011)

Student back in High Court in bid to prevent being named in video case

steve — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:19:34 +0000

“A 22-year-old is back in the High Court today in a bid to stop six national newspapers from naming him over a video he claims defames him …” (more)

[Irish Examiner, 21 January]

Controversial Killer Flu Research Paused

steve — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 10:06:43 +0000

“Researchers developing extra-contagious strains of H5N1 avian influenza have agreed to pause their work for 60 days. The moratorium, announced Jan 20 in Nature and Science, is a response to public fear and alarm in the scientific community …” (more)

[Brandon Keim, Wired Science, 20 January]

Guidance counsellors vital for students

steve — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 10:03:46 +0000

“As a member of a profession which is now in danger of extinction, I feel it is necessary to highlight some of the detrimental consequences of the recent proposal by the Minister for Education and Skills to end the work of the guidance counsellor in second-level schools …” (more)

[Íde O’Neill, Irish Examiner, 21 January]

UCD and Teagasc formalise partnership

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:30:12 +0000

“UCD and the Irish agriculture and food development authority, Teagasc, signed an agreement at the end of 2011, which formalised their long-standing relationship and solidified the continuation of their co-operation in research and training …” (more)

[Fachtna Basquille, University Observer, 20 January]

HE rationing: we should not limit the number that universities can recruit

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:27:55 +0000

“By stifling universities that want to expand, we are denying those who want to study the chance for better employment …” (more)

[Kim Catcheside, Guardian Professional, 20 January]

The Dangers of Disciplinary Diversity

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:24:54 +0000

“One of the curious facts about our scientific disciplines is that they do tend to have their own flavour and culture, with things that are taken as the norm in one discipline seeming very alien to another. There are a whole class of issues which fall under this heading, but stressing these differences too much could turn out to be politically damaging …” (more)

[Athene Donald's Blog, 20 January]

UK unis barred from raising fees

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:22:51 +0000

“One in three universities in England is being refused initial permission to charge up to £9000 a year. About 40 universities have failed to satisfy rules governing the right to raise tuition fees and will have to resubmit applications …” (more)

[The Australian, 21 January]

UCD Students’ Union up to €1 million in debt

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:20:39 +0000

“… According to de Brún, the SU will be applying for external financing from a bank. ‘We’ve had provisional talks but until we have our full accounts ready we can’t progress with negotiations’. The Union will be seeking to refinance the majority of the sum …” (more)

[Katie Hughes, University Observer, 20 January]

Postgraduate fees and grants

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:18:23 +0000

“Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will publish the new qualifying criteria for new entrant postgraduate students seeking to receive support with their third level fees from next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil Éireann Questions, 19 January]

Participation at third level

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:15:23 +0000

“Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the increase in participation at third level over the past decade, if he considered the likely impact on participation at third level following decisions taken in budget 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil Éireann Written Answers, 19 January]

Student Contribution Fee

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:11:51 +0000

“Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the fact that student contribution fee increases beyond 2012 were not included in the comprehensive expenditure report 2012 to 2014, if he will confirm that there will be no further increases beyond that announced in budget 2012 …” (more)

[Dáil Éireann Written Answers, 19 January]

Technological Universities

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:08:51 +0000

“Deputy Paudie Coffey: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has received the report in regard to the criteria for the establishment of technological universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil Éireann Written Answers, 19 January]

A technological university in the south east?

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:05:57 +0000

“Deputy Séamus Kirk: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date in developing a technological university in the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil Debates, 19 January]

Grants – reskilling

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:59:58 +0000

“Deputy Pat Deering: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider reviewing the criteria for third level grants in view of the fact that qualified persons now find themselves unemployed and who wish to reskill but the course they are considering is often at a similar or lower level than their existing qualifications which means they are ineligible for grant aid and must also give up their social welfare as they are no longer available for work …” (more)

[Dáil Éireann Written Answers, 19 January]

Third Level Enrolments

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:56:12 +0000

“Deputy Bernard Durkan: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of third level places available at third level institutions in each of the past three years to date in 2012; the extent to which this meets the requirements for third level places; his intentions if any to increase or make provisions for an increased number of places; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil Éireann Written Answers, 19 January]

Third Level Courses – retention rates

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:51:29 +0000

“Deputy Bernard Durkan: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students known to have dropped out of third level education in each of the past three years to date in 2012 for whatever reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil Éireann Written Answers, 19 January]

Science: nature versus nurture

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:13:03 +0000

“Why are more school leavers not interested in pursuing maths, science and engineering at third level? Why are people very prone to believing in pseudoscience, especially in the medical area? These phenomena are usually explained as being a failure of the education system …” (more)

[educationandstuff, 20 January]

Junior professing

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:11:06 +0000

“So here we go, then. Trinity College Dublin is looking for some junior law lecturers. But that’s not what the College is saying: its announcement suggests they are looking for two ‘Assistant Professors’ …” (more)

[Ferdinand von Prondzynski, University Blog, 20 January]

Two hundred PhD Students to participate in UCD-TCD Innovation Academy by end of 2012

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:08:56 +0000

“By the end of 2012, almost two hundred PhD students participating in the UCD-TCD Innovation Academy will benefit from programmes funded by the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI) Cycle 5 …” (more)

[Niamh Hynes, University Observer, 20 January]

SIPTU angered by staff survey

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:06:45 +0000

“SIPTU UCD have recently expressed their dissatisfaction regarding an e-mail being sent out to over one hundred UCD staff members on December 16th asking them to review the performance of a number of named staff in Registry via an online survey …” (more)

[Katie Hughes, University Observer, 20 January]

UCD and Beijing University of Technology to open joint international campus

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:04:18 +0000

“In a recent effort to increase the resources available to UCD students, an agreement has been signed between the President of UCD, Dr Hugh Brady and the President of Beijing University of Technology, with the aim of setting up an International University in Beijing …” (more)

[Julie Beattie, University Observer, 20 January]

Work resumes on €75m NUIG building projects

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:10:42 +0000

“Work on the construction of five new buildings on the NUI Galway campus – worth around €75 million – is set to restart, after the sites were shut down more than a year ago. Around 300 workers lost their jobs in four projects on the campus in November 2010 …” (more)

[Enda Cunningham, Galway City Tribune, 20 January]

National library gets digital

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:05:14 +0000

“For 135 years, saving paper has been its focus. But with so much of the world’s written content and images increasingly in digital form, the National Library of Ireland has embarked on a major project to digitise its collections and give equal weight to archiving new material that comes in bits and bytes …” (more)

[Karlin Lillington, Irish Times, 20 January]

State ignoring tech skills gap at its peril

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:00:31 +0000

“From Irish start-ups to the large multinationals it’s the same story – they can’t find suitably qualified people for tech jobs – and something must be done about it …” (more)

[Karlin Lillington, Irish Times, 20 January]

University status for the southeast in final stages

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:57:45 +0000

“Official approval for a university for the southeast is fast reaching the final stage. Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan revealed this week that the Minister for Education Ruari Quinn is about to agree new rules governing the establishment of a technological university …” (more)

[Kilkenny Advertiser, 20 January]

Deis protesters picket Department of Education

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:52:01 +0000

“Between 3,000 and 4,000 parents, children, teachers and principals of disadvantaged schools protested loudly, with music and hundreds of home-made, multi-coloured banners outside the Department of Education yesterday, against proposed cuts to teacher numbers …” (more)

[Kitty Holland, Irish Times, 20 January]

Family fury as Noonan says young emigrate for lifestyle

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:49:14 +0000

“Finance Minister Michael Noonan faces the wrath of thousands of families blighted by emigration after claiming that young people were leaving for ‘lifestyle reasons’ …” (more)

[Fionnan Sheahan and others, Independent, 20 January]

Student seeks injunctions against newspapers in Facebook case

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:46:20 +0000

“A High Court judge will hear an application tomorrow from a student aimed at preventing six newspapers identifying him in reports about injunctions obtained by him over an internet video clip which, he alleges, defamed him …” (more)

[Irish Times, 20 January]

EU Commissioner lays out proposal for future of European science

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:43:58 +0000

“The European Union’s Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, spoke yesterday at the European Institute in Washington, DC, to outline a funding proposal for Horizon 2020, a research-policy framework adopted last year by the European Union …” (more)

[Science Careers Blog, 19 January]

Water rail, UCD, Dublin

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:41:36 +0000

“Exactly a year ago today (19 Jan) I spotted a Water rail in UCD down by the ‘secret lakes’, it was a great find but was to be my only sighting for the whole year, though Billy did see it again a couple of days later. This winter I scanned the area again …” (more, pictures)

[Drimnagh Birdwatch, 19 January]

What Responsibilities Should Universities Bear?

steve — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:38:43 +0000

“… Let’s review the new responsibilities in roughly the order that they have presented themselves. First off, there is the move to understanding universities as forces for economic growth. This responsibility initially took off in the 1970s …” (more)

[Nigel Thrift, Chronicle of Higher Education, 19 January]

More women became UK professors, Hesa figures show

steve — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:09:27 +0000

“There was a 4% rise in the number of female professors at UK universities last year, figures show. But they are still heavily outnumbered by men and make up just under 20% of those holding the senior post …” (more)

[Angela Harrison, BBC News, 19 January]

Abolition of postgraduate grants

steve — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:22:50 +0000

“Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the possible impact of abolishing postgraduate grants on his areas of responsibility such as promoting innovation, research, enterprise, investment and job creation; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil Éireann Written Answers, 18 January]

Apple rolls out digital textbook service iBooks 2

steve — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:49:47 +0000

“Apple Inc unveiled a new digital textbook service called iBooks 2 on Thursday, aiming to revitalize the US education market and quicken the adoption of its market-leading iPad …” (more)

[Yinka Adegoke, Reuters, 19 January]

Grad president fires criticism at USI and Bartlett

steve — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:47:11 +0000

“Trinity College Dublin Graduate Students’ Union has criticised the Union of Students in Ireland for failing to consult with Trinity’s postgraduate representative body before deciding to begin confrontational protest measures against the government’s abolition of the postgraduate maintenance grant …” (more)

[Jack Leahy, University Times, 19 January]

Math Gender Gap Not Result of Girls’ Low Self-Esteem, Researchers Say

steve — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:43:52 +0000

“Are girls bad at math? From a talking Barbie doll saying ‘Math class is tough’ to Larry Summers, the ex-President of Harvard University, speaking on the ‘different availability of aptitude’, it’s an issue that’s seen plenty of controversy. As one of the most sensitive topics in education today, there’s plenty of research on it, and even a body of research on the research …” (more)

[Huffington Post, 19 January]

UK: Uni fees create tax time bomb

steve — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:40:53 +0000

“British taxpayers face an annual bill of about £9 billion from unpaid student debts, according to research that will cast doubt on the sustainability of the political deal on university tuition fees …” (more)

[Jack Grimston, The Australian, 20 January]

‘Super injunction’ sought in Facebook case

steve — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:01:41 +0000

“A student who has taken out injunctions against Facebook, Google and other internet companies is seeking a “super injunction” against a number of national newspapers over their reporting of the case …” (more)

[RTÉ News, 19 January]

Contract of indefinite duration claim

steve — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:45:12 +0000

“Ed Madden, BL, looks at a Labour Court case in which a woman who resigned from her position as a lecturer appealed against a decision that she was not entitled to a contract of indefinite duration …” (more)

[HT: Darius Whelan]
[Irish Medical Times, 19 January]

Warning: This Blog is X-rated!

steve — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:42:53 +0000

“… Anyway, I recently discovered that I’ve become a victim of internet censorship myself. Apparently if you try to read this blog through some mobile internet connections a thing called Orange Safeguard pops up …” (more)

[In the Dark, 19 January]

Novelty, interest and replicability

steve — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:40:41 +0000

“… So, using this blog as my soapbox, there are two points I’d like to make: A little one and a big one. Let’s get the little one out of the way first. It’s simply this: if a journal commonly rejects papers without review, then it shouldn’t be fussy about the format in which a paper is submitted …” (more)

[BishopBlog, 19 January]

Social class and gender ‘have huge effect on the way pupils are taught’

steve — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:02:40 +0000

“Children are being taught in dramatically different ways depending on their gender, social background and the age of the teacher …” (more)

[Edel O'Connell, Independent, 19 January]

Only college boss who agreed to pay cut lost just €1,500

steve — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:00:31 +0000

“The only leading academic in the country to agree to a request from Education Minister Ruairi Quinn to cut top salaries to €200,000 only had to give up €1,500 …” (more)

[Fiach Kelly and Louise Hogan, Independent, 19 January]

Geoghegan-Quinn in US to boost scientific alliance

steve — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:55:54 +0000

“The European commissioner for research, innovation and science Máire Geoghegan-Quinn is visiting Washington and Boston this week with a dual mission to strengthen scientific co-operation while seeking to stem the brain drain of European scientists to the US …” (more)

[Lara Marlowe, Irish Times, 19 January]

Use of Turnitin software does not deter cheating, study finds

steve — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:51:09 +0000

“Students who are aware that their work will be checked by plagiarism-detection software are just as likely to cheat as those who are not, a study suggests …” (more)

[Claire Shaw, Times Higher Education, 19 January]

Building work to resume on €75m university scheme

steve — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:48:42 +0000

“NUI Galway has welcomed the resumption of work on a €75m building programme on campus, which will generate an estimated 400 jobs in construction …” (more)

[Lorna Siggins, Irish Times, 19 January]

College has fought to deny access to interview materials

steve — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:46:12 +0000

“Interviewees in Boston College’s Belfast Project oral history undertaking understood that divulging their participation could potentially compromise the underlying premise that such testimony would remain undisclosed until the time of their demise …” (more)

[Thomas E Hachey and Robert K O'Neill, Irish Times, 19 January]

Traditional ways of teaching still prevail, says study

steve — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:43:15 +0000

“Traditional methods of teaching still dominate in Irish primary schools with relatively little group work or active learning, according to a new report from the Economic and Social Research Institute …” (more)

[Seán Flynn, Irish Times, 19 January]

Supreme Court Upholds Law That Pulled Foreign Works Back Under Copyright

steve — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:46:46 +0000

“A professor lost his long legal fight to keep thousands of foreign musical scores, books, and other copyrighted works in the public domain when the US Supreme Court ruled against him on Wednesday in a case that will affect scholars and artists around the country …” (more)

[Jeffrey R Young, Chronicle of Higher Education, 18 January]

Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority

steve — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:32:13 +0000

“Mattie McGrath: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the establishment of the qualifications and quality assurance authority of Ireland; when new applications for provider registration for FETAC will be accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil Éireann written answers, 17 January]

Ostensibly Proving a Commitment to Free Speech

steve — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:24:48 +0000

“‘If we, as a modern society, don’t believe in free speech for those whom we disagree with, then perhaps it should be questioned whether we believe in free speech at all’, wrote Chair of the Government and Politics Society, Ben English, in a recent letter to the Irish Times. This was after the Society proved their uncompromising commitment to free speech by inviting British fascist Nick Griffin to a debate in UCC …” (more)

[Cathal Larkin, Indymedia Ireland, 18 February]

€75m project provides major jobs boost

steve — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:21:17 +0000

“Four hundred new jobs are to be created in the construction sector in Galway after the resumption of building works on a number of previously abandoned projects at the NUI Galway …” (more)

[Marie Madden, Galway Independent, 18 January]

Drink, not fees, is the biggest problem at universities

steve — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:19:18 +0000

“You might wonder how I came to find myself slumped against a wall, dressed in a frock with lipstick smeared across my face, slowly regaining consciousness at god knows what hour one Wednesday night. It could only happen at university, and it could only happen after consuming copious amounts of alcohol …” (more)

[Simon Murphy, Guardian, 18 January]

Howlin defends increment pay

steve — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:50:41 +0000

“Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin has defended the payment of increments to public servants on the grounds that there are fairer ways of controlling public pay. Mr Howlin, speaking this morning, questioned why these payments had become the subject of public debate …” (more)

[Harry McGee, Irish Times, 18 January]

5 Colleges to Test Bulk-Purchasing of e-Textbooks

steve — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:48:33 +0000

“An effort by college leaders to shake up the textbook industry got a boost this week, as five universities announced plans to try bulk purchasing of e-textbooks. The news comes just one day before an Apple news conference that is expected to feature that company’s entrance into the e-textbook space …” (more)

[Jeffrey R Young, Chronicle of Higher Education, 18 January]

A slow down in branch campus developments?

steve — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:46:35 +0000

“The Observatory on Borderless Higher Education, OBHE, has published its fourth report on international branch campuses. The OBHE definition of a branch campus, which has broadened since the previous report, is this …” (more)

[Registrarism, 18 January]

Student ad promising freshers they would ‘get laid’ is banned

steve — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:44:41 +0000

“Organisers of a student club night have been rapped by the advertising watchdog for promising freshers they could ‘get laid’ every Tuesday …” (more)

[Katie Hodge, Independent, 18 January]

‘Articles of the Future’ – moving things along in a small way

steve — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:33:02 +0000

“As people may know I am among my other tasks a journal editor, editor of Research In International Business and Finance, published by Elsevier. And a fine journal it is …” (more)

[Brian M Lucey, 18 January]

Top academics snub Quinn pay cut plea

steve — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:26:27 +0000

“Seven of the country’s top academics have snubbed a request from Education Minister Ruairi Quinn to cut their pay to €200,000 – equal to Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s salary …” (more)

[Independent, 18 January]

University for south east

steve — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:23:56 +0000

“Sir, – Seán Flynn (January 17th) reports that technological university status is certain for Waterford institute of technology after a decade-long campaign …” (more)

[Des Griffin, Irish Times, 18 January]