Ninth Level Ireland

“In a somewhat downbeat (but realistic) assessment of the state of Irish universities and colleges, the outgoing chair of Ireland’s Higher Education Authority, John Hennessy, laments that there are ‘no votes’ in higher education. Politicians won’t take the decisions they should take, he may be suggesting, because they are not under any pressure from the electorate …” (more)

[Ferdinand von Prondzynski, University Blog, 8 February]

“When John Hennessy surveys the state of higher education in Ireland, he’s reminded of the moment almost 50 years ago when Donogh O’Malley announced plans for free second-level education for every child. The country was at a crossroads. There was huge economic potential. It just needed to be unlocked through a visionary public policy …” (more)

[Carl O’Brien, Irish Times, 8 February]

“Underfunding of higher education is in danger of ‘stressing the system to the point of breaking’, according to the outgoing chairman of the Higher Education Authority. John Hennessy, who has just completed five years as chair of the organisation …” (more)

[Carl O’Brien, Irish Times, 8 February]

“The funding crisis in third-level colleges is getting worse, the chairman of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) has warned Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan …” (more)

[Katherine Donnelly, Independent, 18 September]

“Plans for a technological university (TU) in Munster face ‘a very significant challenge’, higher education chiefs have warned. Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and the Institute of Technology Tralee (IT Tralee) are working towards a merger, with a view to becoming one of the new-style technological universities …” (more)

[Katherine Donnelly, Independent, 26 January]

“Our long-term economic success remains inextricably tied to the higher level of knowledge and skills of our people and to our ability to out-perform other countries in education and research …” (more)

[John Hennessy, Independent, 22 January]

“The low uptake by girls of courses in key areas such as technology and engineering is getting even worse. New figures from the Higher Education Authority (HEA) show even fewer females enrolling in relevant third-level programmes …” (more)

[Katherine Donnelly, Independent, 12 November]

“Young men who avoid apprenticeships in construction trades but struggle with college courses could be a factor in rising third-level dropout rates. The possibility is raised in a report showing 7,000, or around one-in-six, first-year students a year fail to make it to second year …” (more)

[Niall Murray, Irish Examiner, 14 July]

“Financial hardship among students has increased in the last four years and is a factor in college drop outs, suggests a report from the Higher Education Authority. Drop-out rates from some lower socio-economic groups has increased while students from farming and professional families were least likely to drop out …” (more)

[Fiona Gartland, Irish Times, 14 July]

“The HEA rows into the debate, saying there is no evidence that some institutions have lesser or better outcomes. It’s their skills that make people good employees, not the school or college they attended …” (more)

[John Hennessy, Irish Times, 27 May]

“Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans and priorities for the location of a third level education campus in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil Éireann Written Answers, 26 June]

“Applications to study science, technology and engineering at third level have increased significantly over the past five years. An analysis of CAO preferences by the Higher Education Authority also found that technology courses make up one fifth of all first preference applications this year …” (more)

[RTÉ News, 17 April]

“That UCD-TCD merger story really caught fire, but who are the big winners and the losers in the whole episode? And who buried the Van Vught report? First a recap …” (more)

[Irish Times, 2 October]

“The chairman of the Higher Education Authority, John Hennessy, is continuing to make a strong impression. Hennessy, the former head of Ericsson in Ireland, has gained something of a reputation for straight talking. Last week, he pitched in again, warning about restrictive public-sector work practices that bedevil higher education …” (more)

[Irish Times, 1 May]

“The Chairman of the Higher education Authority is no stranger to controversy. His most recent interesting comment came when he commented against the ‘restrictive work practices’ of the third level …” (more)

[Brian M Lucey, 26 April]

“… If Ireland is to capitalise on its potential, then I suggest that three elements need to operate in a really cohesive way. First we need a coordinated and complimentary approach by both Government and higher education providers, one which conferences like today will help promote …” (more)

[John Hennessy, Key Note Address, HECA Conference, 20 April]

“Mike Jennings, General Secretary of the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT), has said that it is highly disappointing that the Chair of the HEA should call for a greater rôle for private colleges in the provision of higher education courses in Ireland, with no mention of educational standards being taken into account …” (more)

[Irish Federation of University Teachers, 21 April]

“The chairman of the Higher Education Authority, John Hennessy, has criticised the ‘very restrictive’ public service working practices across the third-level sector. In an address yesterday he also envisaged a greater role for private colleges in the provision of higher education courses in Ireland …” (more)

[Seán Flynn, Irish Times, 21 April]

“Higher Education Authority Chairman said the continuing growing demand for Higher Education in Ireland could no longer be fully met by the publicly funded institutions …” (more)

[RTÉ News, 20 April]

“The dropping of Leaving Certificate subjects by schools faced with staffing cuts could be damaging to the country’s chances of international investment, the chairman of the Higher Education Authority has said …” (more)

[Niall Murray, Irish Examiner, 7 April]