“The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced yesterday that schools and colleges would close from today until March 29th, in order to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus. UCD has announced plans to move teaching and learning online for the remainder of the academic year …” (more)
[Conor Capplis, College Tribune, 13 March]
“This morning I had my first on-line class in a module that is usually delivered in a classroom. Attendance was excellent, and all students who tuned in were able to see and hear what I was doing. I used the familiar Adobe Connect and all its feature – my students seemed happy enough at the end of class. My five year old home computer stood up to the task very well …” (more)
[Careful With That Axe, Eugene, 13 March]
“Trinity College Dublin is offering a partial refund to students in college accommodation who return home. The university is encouraging all students, whether Irish or international, to go home, if it is possible to do so. Students have been advised that anyone who decides to vacate their accommodation permanently for the remainder of the term should write to the Accommodation Office, to let them know …” (more)
[Katherine Donnelly and Mícheál Ó Scannáil, Independent, 13 March]
“Members of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland have served notice of industrial action in relation to the establishment of the Munster Technological University. The MTU involves the merging of the Institute of Technology, Tralee and Cork Institute of Technology …” (more)
[Radio Kerry, 13 March]
“I sat in a TippFM Roadcaster as information trickled in from the States where An Taoiseach laid out plan to self-isolate the Republic of Ireland. Some of his guidance was already in place on the Clonmel Digital campus in the form of warning signs and planning to cancel face-to-face meetings with students …” (more)
[Bernie Goldbach, Inside View, 12 March]
“Stormont deputy first minister Michelle O’Neill has said schools, universities and colleges in Northern Ireland should close in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. She claimed the public were concerned and fearful and the difference with the Republic of Ireland’s approach was causing confusion …” (more)
[Michael McHugh, Belfast Telegraph, 13 March]
“All schools, pre-schools and further and higher education settings may end up shutting well beyond March 29th to support efforts to contain the coronavirus threat. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced on Thursday morning that the Government and health authorities decided that a two-week closure was needed in order to delay the spread of the virus …” (more)
[Carl O’Brien, Irish Times, 12 March]
“Access to Trinity’s campus is to be permitted to limited groups following the government’s decision to close schools, universities, and cultural institutions from 6pm on Thursday until March 29. The campus is to be closed to undergraduate students with the exception of those who live on-campus. Residents are to be required to show their identity cards in order to gain access …” (more)
[Lauren Boland, Trinity News, 12 March]
“All arranged examinations for non-final year students in DCU have been cancelled for this semester, due to concerns over the spread of the coronavirus. August resits have also been cancelled, with alternative assessments being put in place …” (more)
[Sally Madden, The College View, 12 March]
“The Northern Ireland Executive has decided against following the lead of the Irish Government and is not ordering the closure of schools and universities in an attempt to limit the impact of the coronavirus. The North’s First Minister, Arlene Foster, also complained on Thursday evening that the Northern Executive was not informed in advance of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s decision in Washington to announce a number of actions to address the Covid-19 emergency …” (more)
[Gerry Moriarty, Irish Times, 12 March]
“All teaching at NUIG will cease as of 6pm this evening to combat the spread of the coronavirus, and the university is also taking further steps. NUIG is cancelling lectures as well as all other gatherings at the university and non-essential meetings to help limit the coronavirus pandemic …” (more)
[Briain Kelly, Galway Daily, 12 March]
“Trinity’s student newspapers, The University Times and Trinity News, have announced the postponement of their next print issues – scheduled to come out next week – after the closure of the College yesterday …” (more)
[Sárán Fogarty, University Times, 13 March]
“College is considering delaying exams until August if assessments do not run as normal, according to internal documents obtained by The University Times. Final exams could also be converted to written assessments, and the designated exam period could be extended, according to a confidential memorandum delivered to University Council yesterday by Senior Lecturer Kevin Mitchell …” (more)
[Donal MacNamee, University Times, 12 March]
“UCC is preparing to effectively shut down lectures and exams and go online as concerns about the coronavirus amongst students and staff grows. A message to students and staff seen by CorkBeo – sent from the university’s corporate office – says UCC will ‘take measures regarding delivery of teaching and learning online’ …” (more)
[Joe O’Shea, CorkBeo, 12 March]
