“The University of Limerick has advised staff that it is ‘likely’ the college will have to restrict numbers attending on campus ‘in the near future’ as a result of coronavirus. In a communication issued today UL Vice President, Professor Kerstin Mey, said that if the decision is taken, it will be in consultation with the relevant authorities …” (more)
[RTÉ News, 5 March]
“Trinity has fallen in all five broad areas measured by the QS World University Rankings by Subject for 2020. The College’s decline in subject rankings continues a trend of a downward spiral in world university rankings, which last year led it to call for a national strategy to improve the performance of all Irish universities in such rankings …” (more)
[Emer Moreau, University Times, 5 March]
“The RCSI is to bring forward final examinations for medical students amid concerns over the spread of the Coronavirus, Covid-19. The examinations which were to be held towards the end of April will take place this weekend. The Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland said on Thursday that it had taken the move to avoid any delays in the graduation of the final year class this year as a result of any restrictions that could be put in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19 …” (more)
[Sorcha Pollak, Martin Wall and Carl O’Brien, Irish Times, 5 March]
“University College Dublin are planning to increase rents by 12% over the next three years. This translates to a 4% increase in accommodation license fee per year. So, how does this increase compare to the historic increases in price since 2006? …” (more)
[Hugh Dooley, College Tribune, 5 March]
“More than three-quarters (76%) of US colleges said that outreach and recruitment of students from China has been affected by the new coronavirus, according to a survey from the Institute of International Education …” (more)
[Elizabeth Redden, Inside Higher Ed, 5 March]
“The fate of this year’s Trinity Ball could be up in the air due to the coronavirus threat, with College leaving open the possibility that the ball could be shut down if the HSE’s surveillance taskforce advises it …” (more)
[Donal MacNamee, University Times, 4 March]
“Every fortnight I find myself in a stuffy, windowless room in College Green for a tutorial that I am invariably ill-prepared for. For the next 50 minutes, some will actively avoid questioning or participation, praying the tutorial will pass quickly and that their glaringly obvious lack of knowledge on the topic will go unnoticed by the TA …” (more)
[Faye Curran, University Times, 4 March]
“The use of the word ‘I’ in academic writing, that is writing in the first person, has a troublesome history. Some say it makes writing too subjective, others that it’s essential for accuracy. This is reflected in how students, particularly in secondary schools, are trained to write. Teachers I work with are often surprised that I advocate, at times, invoking the first person in essays or other assessment in their subject areas …” (more)
[Peter Ellerton, The Conversation, 4 March]
“NUI Galway has begun the process of recruiting a project management team to oversee the development of a €39-million interactive learning facility, the first of its kind in Ireland …” (more)
[Galway Advertiser, 5 March]
“Hundreds of students attended a protest at NUI Galway today to highlight a 4% rent increase in on campus accommodation. The gathering was organised by the NUIG Students Union and a coalition of student groups and activists …” (more)
[Galway Bay FM, 4 March]
“Sir, – As a co-author of the Seanad Reform Bill 2018, I share much of the frustration expressed by Dr Colum Kenny (Letters, March 4th). The public gave a clear mandate for Seanad reform in 1979 and 2013, yet legislation to open up the university panel and give every citizen a vote has been consistently obstructed and delayed by the Government …” (more)
[Letters, Irish Times, 5 March]
“Universities are drawing up contingency plans which include delivering classes to students online, and conducting exams over the internet in response to the coronavirus threat. At Trinity College Dublin the possibility of organising exams online is being explored in the event of limits being placed on public gatherings above a certain size …” (more)
[Carl O’Brien and Jack Power, Irish Times, 3 March]
