A NEWSLETTER FOR OUR COMMUNITY
Issue 2 | October 2021
BREAKING NEWS Designation Approval for the new Technological University
Contents Welcome
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Breaking News
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Technological University (TU) Designation Approval
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Messages of Support for the New TU
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€4.6 million in Capital Funding
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Learning and Teaching across the CUA
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Meet CUA Learning and Teaching Colleagues
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CUA Learning and Teaching Staff Respond to the Global Pandemic
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Supporting Students for whom English is not a First Language
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Innovative Responses to Higher Education Requirements
22
Meeting Employer and Employee Educational Needs
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Continuing Professional Development Student Experiences of Online Learning
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Meet the CUA’s new Careers and RPL Manager
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Research and Innovation Update
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Meet the Vice Presidents for Research
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Empowering Women across the West and North-West of Ireland
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Digital Ed Conference, May 2021
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EDITOR Anne Donnelly LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK Email: anne.donnelly@cualliance.ie
EDITORIAL BOARD Dr Seán Duffy Dr Shirley Wrynn Dr Ciarán Ó hAnnracháin Ann Higgins
DESIGN & LAYOUT Seán Clancy
Welcome from the CUA Executive Project Lead
Dear Reader, Welcome to Issue 2 of our CUA Newsletter for the community. We are delighted to announce that our application to become a technological university (TU) has been successful. The Connacht-Ulster Alliance (CUA) was formed by Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT) and Institute of Technology, Sligo (ITS) in 2012 to develop as a TU of size, scale and impact. The new TU will be a multicampus university, spanning a unique geographical region connecting students, staff, research, enterprise and global communities. The three CUA Institutes have a record of involvement in higher education which spans 50 years. The new TU, in continuing this tradition, will make a significant contribution to the lives of people of the region and beyond, standing as a legacy for all those who have been involved. The announcement represents the end of a key stage and marks the beginning of the next phase of the evolution of the TU. This milestone would not have been possible without the support of CUA students, staff, Governing Bodies, cross institute working groups, subgroups, industrial relations fora, the CUA
project management team, the CUA Steering Committee and the extensive array of key external stakeholders from industry, the public sector, community and the people who supported this project from its inception. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in the CUA project and look forward to embarking on the next stage. I hope you enjoy our newsletter. In this issue we have featured some of our Learning and Teaching projects, our engagement with and supports for employers and employees and we also focus on some of our Research and Innovation projects which will be critical to our success as a TU. Please get in touch and let us know what you think, you can email me at sean.duffy@cualliance.ie or the CUA News Editor anne.donnelly@cualliance.ie
Best wishes, Dr Seán Duffy CUA Executive Project Lead
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Issue 2
Breaking News
Technological University (TU) Designation Approval The Connacht-Ulster Alliance (CUA) of GMIT, LYIT and IT Sligo has worked in partnership since its inception. In May 2021, following the development of a comprehensive submission document which demonstrated that the CUA met the criteria and metrics required to be designated as a technological university (TU), the CUA formally submitted its application to become a TU. In July, the CUA’s application was evaluated by an International Advisory Panel. In September, the report from the International Panel was presented to the HEA and the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. On 28 October, Minister Harris approved the CUA’s application to be designated as a TU. “I want to congratulate the Connacht-Ulster Alliance for their work in reaching this landmark day. This is a fantastic day for higher education in the west and north-west region, providing for the establishment early next year of a multicampus university presence across the region, encompassing eight locations in Castlebar, Galway City, Killybegs, Letterfrack, Letterkenny, Mountbellew and Sligo. The new TU – our fourth since 2019 and second this year - will now take its rightful place in the higher education landscape in a very important strategic part of the country bordering as it will both the Atlantic and Northern Ireland. This new technological university will increase higher education access, drive enhanced regional development and increase opportunities for students, staff, business and enterprise, and local communities”. Mr Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Minister Simon Harris signing the letter to confirm the designation of a new technological university for the west and north-west.
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The International Advisory Panel’s report contained a number of positive findings in respect of the CUA’s application, in particular the depth of evidence of strong links with business, enterprise, the professions, the community, local interests and other stakeholders in the region; the strength of the response to local and regional needs through programme development and lifelong learning activity; and the inclusive nature of internal engagement structures with effective consultation with staff and student unions.
WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS A TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
October 2021
Breaking News
The three CUA presidents and Exec Project Lead pictured left to right, Paul Hannigan, President of LYIT, Dr Orla Flynn, President of GMIT, Dr Seán Duffy, CUA Executive Project Lead, and Dr Brendan McCormack, President of IT Sligo.
The Presidents of the three Institutes of Technology in the CUA warmly welcome the announcement by Minister Simon Harris, TD, that GMIT, LYIT and IT Sligo have together been approved for designation as a TU for the west and north-west of Ireland. This marks an historic event for the three institutes as the eight campuses of the CUA collectively take a step closer to becoming a TU in the region stretching from north Donegal to south Galway, with many of those locations set to become university towns for the first time. The new TU will offer almost 600 academic programmes from pre-degree to doctoral level to a student population of 20,000+ students supported by over 2,200 staff. The three Presidents said: “The new TU will transform the educational landscape of our region, driving innovation, research and development and propelling us onto an international stage. Working with stakeholders in the region and beyond, A NEWSLETTER FOR EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS
the new TU will support the needs of enterprises, especially SMEs, though employee education and research, to enhance economic, social and cultural prosperity. It will also deepen collaborative partnerships with further and higher education institutions as well as organisations in the public and private sectors. We intend to be operating as a multi-campus university in the first quarter of 2022 and we expect that Minister Harris will formally announce our new name and the appointment of the new TU Chairperson and President before we are formally designated”. Today’s announcement is the culmination of many years of work by students, staff and stakeholders across the CUA. It is a testimony to the calibre of our staff and the spirt of collaboration that has developed between CUA colleagues which will serve us well as we prepare for the next phase of the TU development.
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Issue 2
Breaking News
Technological University (TU) Designation Approval Welcoming the news, the Presidents of the three Students’ Union, Colin Kearney (GMIT), Adam O’Flaherty (LYIT) and Dáire Martin (IT Sligo) said: “This is a momentous occasion for all current and future students of the new TU. The Students’ Unions welcome this announcement. The CUA Students’ Union are proud of the partnership we have built over the past two years and we will continue to work towards a Students’ Union that will always ensure that our members are at the centre of everything we do”.
Gaining a university qualification in the north and northwest region across a variety of levels from apprenticeships to doctorate qualifications will now be possible. Presidents of the three Students’ Union pictured left to right, Adam O’Flaherty (LYIT), Dáire Martin (IT Sligo) and Colin Kearney (GMIT).
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WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS A TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
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Messages of Support for the New TU Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB) welcomes the creation of a TU for the west and north-west region of Ireland. It is a significant and important development for the educational infrastructure of this geographic region. It will contribute hugely to the regional economic enhancement through the provision of wide ranging integrated higher educational provision for the citizens in the region and further afield. We look forward to continuing and further developing our established partnerships with the higher education providers who will constitute this TU. Tom Grady, Chief Executive, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board
I write to express the support of Donegal Educational Training Board (ETB) for the establishment of the new TU. Our involvement in the FE/HE Cross Border Cluster will be strengthened by the creation of the TU and will ultimately lead to increased retention of our young people within the region. Donegal ETB works collaboratively with LYIT on several projects aimed at increasing the transfer and progression of our students within our second level schools and our Further Education and Training service. This includes the area of apprenticeship provision for which there will be even greater scope with the advent of the TU. Anne McHugh, Chief Executive, Donegal Education and Training Board
A TU that is agile, responsive, engaged with the business community and, most of all, delivering high quality teaching and research will present significant opportunity for the region. A thriving business community is directly linked to a strong education and research infrastructure. Claire McGee, Head of Education and Innovation Policy, Ibec
The TU will have the critical mass and academic depth to attract, educate, nurture and retain talent in the west, north-west and cross border region and will strengthen and benefit our region socially, economically and culturally. It will underpin Sligo’s designation as a Regional Growth Centre under the National Development Plan 2018 – 2027. The new TU for the west and north-west of Ireland is fully supported by Sligo County Council. Tom Kilfeather, Acting Chief Executive, Sligo County Council
Lifelong learning is the key to labour mobility. An agile and skilled workforce is the key to a sustainable, resilient economy and an equal society. Building on the establishment of the Atlantic Economic Corridor Network of more than 100 remote work and enterprise hubs we see the new TU as a vital partner in flexible learning and remote innovation, responding to employer and employee needs across and throughout the villages and towns of the west and the north-west. Tomás Ó Síocháin, CEO, Western Development Commission
A NEWSLETTER FOR EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS
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Issue 2
Breaking News
€4.6 million in Capital Funding GMIT, LYIT and IT Sligo are each to receive government funding as part of an additional €38 million allocation for higher education institutions for the 2021/2022 academic year. GMIT have been awarded funding close to €1.8m; LYIT, over €1.3 million and IT Sligo, €1.5m.
I am very pleased to announce a significant devolved capital grant for the higher education sector to support a range of capital priorities. The grant funding will also help facilitate the safe and very welcome return of students to campus-based learning and will allow higher education institutions to carry out necessary minor works and equipment upgrades across their estates over the coming year. Mr Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
We are delighted to receive the funding which will allow us to maintain and develop our infrastructure and continue to offer a first class experience to our students.
Dr Orla Flynn, President of GMIT
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WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS A TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
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Breaking News
This is a significant allocation supporting a range of capital and infrastructural projects across all our campuses.
Mr Paul Hannigan, President of Letterkenny Institute of Technology
This funding will greatly assist in the safe return of students on campus and will help level the playing field in access to technology to those students most in need.
Dr Brendan Mc Cormack, President of IT Sligo
Some of this funding will be used to purchase laptops for disadvantaged students. The laptops will be made available to students through the Access Office.
A NEWSLETTER FOR EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS
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Issue 2
Learning and Teaching Across the CUA The CUA is committed to excellence in learning, teaching and assessment (LTA). A Learning and Teaching subgroup was established in 2018 to inform the approaches to LTA that will be adopted in the new TU. The subgroup consists of professional staff, lecturers and student representatives. They are working together on a range of initiatives to ensure that we nurture and enable the development of all our students and provide courses that are learner-centered, flexible and meet the higher educational needs of our region and beyond.
Figure 1: Collaborative CUA Learning and Teaching Projects
Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
PDF Portfolio Project
UNLOCK Project
RPL My Experience
Learning Anayltics
HCI Project Higher Education 4.0
INDEx Survey
Joint CPD Platform
iNOTE Project
Learning and Teaching
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WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS A TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
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Meet Colleagues from the Learning and Teaching Subgroup Dr Niamh Plunkett, Head of Teaching and Learning at IT Sligo
We are currently devising a roadmap to outline where each of the three institutes are with UDL practice and the next steps for each so that we are continually striving forward with the same agreed agenda and process. We have established a CUA UDL working group for that purpose. Our aim is to establish a Higher Education Centre of Excellence in Inclusive Practice which would be the first of its kind in Ireland. Niamh represents IT Sligo on the CUA Learning and Teaching subgroup. In IT Sligo Niamh manages and develops the strategic planning of, and delivery of the academic support programmes offered by the institute to their students. She is passionate about giving all students equal opportunites to learn. She and her colleagues have worked hard on increasing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) awareness among staff across the CUA. Niamh says: “Strong buy-in was achieved through seminars, workshops, UDL digital badge attainment, and active engagement with UDL related projects and research demonstrating the benefits of UDL for all learners, rather than focusing solely on disability.
What is UDL?
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a set of principles for curriculum development that give all individuals equal opportunities to learn, including Students with Disabilities. UDL aims to improve the educational experience of all students by introducing more flexible methods of teaching, assessment and service provision to cater for the diversity of learners in our classrooms. This approach is underpinned by research in the field of neuroscience and is designed to improve the learning experience and outcomes for all students. www.ahead.ie/udl
A NEWSLETTER FOR EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS
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Issue 2
Meet Colleagues from the Learning and Teaching Subgroup Dr Deirdre McClay, Senior Lecturer in Teaching, Learning and Student Engagement at LYIT
The joint CUA projects are bringing about more collaboration in teaching and learning and pooling of resources to support staff and students in lots of different and positive ways from strategic principles, frameworks and policy development to workshop and course development.
Deirdre represents LYIT on the CUA Learning and Teaching subgroup. In LYIT she leads on National Forum funded projects and on implementing the LYIT learning, teaching and assessment strategy which aims to enhance learning, teaching and student engagement across the institute. Deirdre is also the LYIT team lead on the National Forum funded joint CUA project, Reimagining Assessment for Student Success, the Learning Enhancement Project, and the Technological University Transformation Fund (TUTF) joint project, Foundations for CUA MIS and Learning Analytics.
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WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS A TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
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Reimagining Asssessment for Student Success This CUA project is reviewing the wide range of assessment practices in place. It is also establishing a collaboration of three programme board groups. The project will support the development of assessment strategies, guideline resources, delivery of masterclasses, and a showcase on assessment strategies - what works and why?
Learning Enchancement Project The Learning Enchancement Project selects and supports staff-led teaching and learning projects. In 2020-2021, it culminated in an online showcase of nine projects. A digital repository of these projects is forthcoming.
Foundations for CUA Management Information Systems (MIS) and Learnng Analytics This project builds on work by the CUA partners in learning analytics and in the development of multi-source analytics and management information systems (MIS) to identify and support student engagement and achievements. It shares existing practice and knowledge and develops a learning analytics policy and practice that will facilitate the future harmonisation of these services across the CUA.
A NEWSLETTER FOR EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS
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Issue 2
Meet Colleagues from the Learning and Teaching Subgroup Dr Carina Ginty, Head of Teaching and Learning Office, GMIT
The CUA have collaborated on the development of a range of strategic principles and frameworks, to support teaching and learning enhancement for the CUA and the new technological university (TU).
Carina represents GMIT on the CUA Learning and Teaching subgroup. She leads the CUA iNOTE/DigitalEd Project (DigitalEd.ie) and is Co-lead on the HigherEd 4.0 Theme 1 Project. In addition to her work with her CUA colleagues, Carina coordinates the implementation of the Learning, Teaching and Assessment (LTA) strategy in GMIT. She brings considerable expertise and experience to the new TU as she had led several innovative projects to develop teaching, learning and assessment, and digital capabilities in higher education.
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WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS A TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
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A NEWSLETTER FOR EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS
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Issue 2
CUA Learning and Teaching Staff Respond to the Global Pandemic Teaching and learning staff across the CUA were in an ideal position to minimise the impact the pandemic had on our students’ learning experience thanks to the iNOTE/DigitalEd Project and the work being done to build our digital teaching and learning capabilities across all eight campuses. Dr Carina Ginty leads out on the project.
In response to the global pandemic, we invested considerable resources in developing rapid response digital intervention initiatives, to support the learning, teaching and assessment transition, for staff and students. This was made possible due to several projects, including the development of the DigitalEd.ie knowledge platform.
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Carina collaborates with all academic departments and professional services, on the development of digital education opportunities and the establishment of the CUA knowledge platform: DigitalEd.ie Reflecting on the work done to date, Carina says: “The scale of what was achieved in all CUA campuses in Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Donegal, and its alignment to digital transformation strategic objectives, has the potential for transfer of learnings to other higher education institutes in Ireland and internationally”. The iNOTE project and DigitalEd.ie knowledge platform will continue to play a big part in the CUA’s digital transformation journey. To find out more click on this link: www.digitaled.ie
WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS A TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
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Figure 1: The DigitalEd.ie Development Journey
A NEWSLETTER FOR EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS
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Issue 2
DigitalEd.ie Accomplishments 2020-2021 300+ Ask Me Anything (AMA) Clinics
90+ staff completed an accredited Level 9
delivered to academic staff covering digital learning and teaching skills.
150+ webinars/workshops delivered online on digital teaching and learning development strategies.
postgraduate learning pathway in Technology Enhanced Learning or Digital T&L and 24 graduates became Digital Academic Champions, providing one-to-one and small group mentoring sessions across all CUA campuses.
5,000+ staff registrations for online DigitalEd
10 specialist student remote learning support
webinars across Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Donegal.
resources and services established.
160+ teaching and learning office video
platform. The platform was widely promoted on social media during the COVID-19 emergency. As a result additional higher education institutions have accessed the platform for support and guidance.
demonstration resources produced.
45+ Learning, Teaching and Assessment resources/special guides developed.
7,000+ visits to the DigitalEd.ie knowledge
Figure 2: DigitalEd.ie Knowledge Platform
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WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS A TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
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Figure 3: Developing Digtal Capabilties
Extraordinary goodwill was demonstrated by everyone involved in teaching, learning and supporting and leading functional areas in the CUA. Much was learned for the future in our digital transformation development journey. To learn more about the digital transformation journey in higher education, check out case studies by Dr Carina Ginty, available at the links below. Ginty, C. (2021), An Institute Wide Response: Building Digital Teaching and Learning Capabilities During a Global Pandemic. Case study available at this link. Ginty, C, (2021), Building Digital Teaching and Learning Capabilities in GMIT with digitaled.ie Knowledge Platform. Case study available at this link.
A NEWSLETTER FOR EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS
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Issue 2
Supporting Students for whom English is not a First Language
Dr Niamh Plunkett, Head of Teaching & Learning (CELT), IT Sligo IT Sligo led out on a bespoke online English language programme for all students across the CUA for whom English was not a first language. The project lead was Dr Niamh Plunkett. Also involved were Patricia Henry, CELT Support Officer and John Joe Callaghan, Director of the Native Speaker English Language School, and programme provider. The team maintained very close collaboration with the CUA International Managers, Registrars, Teaching & Learning Centres, Students’ Unions and Academic Writing Centres.
Patricia Henry, CELT Support Officer
John Joe Callaghan, Director, Native Speaker English Language School
This multi-campus initiative is important to enhance the academic offering of the CUA by providing a high quality online English language support programme for students that will assist them in their studies.
228 students from 51 countries registered for the programme between Sept 2020 and March 2021. The programme offered the support needed regardless of the student’s English language level and delivered content and assessment directly to the student in bite size chunks that fitted into their daily routine.
Figure 1: Percentage of students enrolled on the programme from across the CUA
31%
38%
32%
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WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS A TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
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Overview of the programme
Programme Success
Live weekly webinars:
The feedback from students has been very positive. The programme gives them the confidence to go forward with their studies by virtue of improved use of English.
Students attend online weekly live classes which can be accessed from any device, anywhere in the world. This also provides an opportunity for students to interact with their instructor in addition to the instructor checking each student’s comprehension. Online Materials: All webinars are recorded and made available to participants. In addition, a synopsis video is available for each live session. Slides of lessons are stored in PDF format. Animated slides with voiceover; tests on each session; and full progress reports are also made available.
A NEWSLETTER FOR EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS
During the first phase of the project, a leader board was established to develop healthy competition among students and institutes. Awards were given to the top 3 students from each institute who engaged the most with: • Content
The success of the programme will also convey to international partner institutions that their students’ academic progress is being supported. We are delighted that funding has been secured through the CUA iNOTE project to roll out the programme for the forthcoming year to all students across the CUA.
• Live webinars • Online Platform • Assessment • Overall engagement
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Issue 2
Student Experiences of the Online English Language Support Programme I can confirm that it was well worth attending the English class. The course covered a lot of English writing, speaking, grammar and vocabulary to improve the level of English. It was delivered in concise chunks that were easy to absorb. The structure was clear, logical and effective. I’ve got the impression that a lot of thought and expertise was put into designing the course for international students who take courses at IT Sligo. The main benefits came from doing assignments, listening to recorded lessons on the learning platform, as well as receiving individual feedback and interacting with the instructor and other participants. The English course gave me the confidence to improve my writing skills in English. Henry Koehler, Germany, Postgraduate Student IT Sligo
Overall, I think the programme is very good. It is a great help for me, and the teacher is excellent and very patient. Six months ago, I would not have been able to hold a conversation like this. It is great that you can view the lectures and notes online so if you miss anything you can always catch up in your own time. I would definitely recommend this programme to other students. I signed up to help me communicate better while living in Ireland and to allow me to study. Hamed Zuhairy, 1st Year, Social Studies, LYIT
I am very happy with the course; I think it’s brilliant. It is great that it is delivered through Zoom, the tutor is excellent, and it is like meeting face to face. It is a very normal environment. The reason I took part in the programme is because I am not Irish. I need help with my English, to spell correctly, hold a conversation and pronounce my words properly. I would 100% recommend students to take part, it is brilliant. Joilita Budriene, 1st Year, Computer software Development, GMIT
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A NEWSLETTER FOR EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS
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Innovative Responses to Higher Education Requirements Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 3 Project - Higher Education 4.0 The Human Capital Initiative (HCI) incentivises continued reform and innovation in third level education. It builds on best practice nationally and internationally, and strongly supports innovation in course design and delivery. It aims to future proof graduates and ensure that there is a greater focus on promoting and embedding transferable skills in all courses. Figure 1: HCI Pillar 3 CUA Collaborative Projects with External Partners HEI Lead Institution
Title of Application
Collaborative Education Partners
Institute of Technology Sligo
HigherEd 4.0: Enabling agile responsiveness from Higher Education
GMIT, LYIT
Institute of Technology Carlow (IUA and Thea)
Realising the potential of recognition of prior learning and lifelong learning in Irish higher education
ITC, CIT, DKIT, TUD, LIT, GMIT, AIT, LYIT, ITS, WIT, UCC, TCD, UL, NUIG, DCU, MU, UCD, THEA, IUA IADT ITT
University College Dublin
The ADVANCE Centre for Professional Education
IT Sligo, TUD
Limerick Institute of Technology
Digital Academy for Sustainable Built Environment (DASBE)
AIT, GMIT, TEA, IGBC
€7,503,106
University College Cork
Sustainability in Enterprise: Delivering a Low Carbon Future
IT Sligo, MU
€3,913,440
Institute of Technology Carlow
Centre for Insurance, Risk and Data Analytics Studies (CIRDAS)
LYIT
€1,725,343
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Funding €12,381,848
€6,904,176
€14,070,668
WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS A TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
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The CUA institutes are partners in several HCI Pillar 3 projects with other higher education institutions and industry stakeholders. These projects will have a signifcant impact on how the new TU develops innovative responses to future education needs.
A NEWSLETTER FOR EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS
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Issue 2
Meeting Employer and Employee Educational Needs The project has been awarded 12.4m funding in the Human Capital Initiative (HCI). What is the Higher Education 4.0 Project: Enabling Agile Responsive from Higher Education?
Professor Jacqueline McCormack from IT Sligo (pictured above) led out on the Higher Education 4.0 Project. She worked in close collaboration with colleagues from GMIT and LYIT.
The Higher Education 4.0 Project maps out a vision for responding to the needs of individuals and employers. It focuses on meeting their skill needs by providing flexible access to higher education through new technology enabled models.
This includes two services: 1. An externally facing Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Career Pathways Service designed to support prospective students in the process of mapping out their career options and ambitions and the training pathway that they would need to undertake to achieve these. 2. An internal service to support academic teams across the CUA so that they can respond rapidly and effectively to the higher education needs of employers and employees.
The Higher Education 4.0 project will improve agility, access and collaboration in the part-time online learning space. The CUA partner’s experience and track record of working together has been instrumental in achieving project funding.
HIGHER
Education
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Figure 1: Services provided to employers and learners
Responsiveness to Employers and Learners
Employer Needs
Career Pathways
External Facing
Internal Facing
Recognition of Prior Learning
Approval Policies and Processes
Rapid Course Development
Innovative Learning Models
How is the project benefitting CUA’s external stakeholders? There are 69 different industry/employer partners supporting, advising, or collaborating on aspects of the project. This input means that the resulting online and flexible learning opportunities will meet the needs of employers and employees. The RPL/Career Pathways Service will support people in lower-paid positions to help them reach their higher education goals wiithout having to resign from their jobs. The Innovation Pathway will provide a range of flexible and online learning opportunities designed for these students in close collaboration with employers.
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Continuing Professional Development Student Experiences of Online Learning It was unbelievably rewarding doing an online course after being out of education for a few years. I found I had a renewed thirst for learning. After one year I didn’t have enough, so I signed up for the Level 9 Diploma, and in the autumn of this year. I hope to graduate with a Master’s in Biopharmaceutical Science. For anyone thinking one, two or three years is too long, the best advice I got was: “The time passes by anyway, whether you are doing a course or not.” Frances Doherty, MSc in Biopharmaceutical Science, IT Sligo
The lectures are very interactive. If you email lecturers or other students in your course, they are more than willing to help. I have a whole community of support, most of whom I have never met!
I was fortunate to be accepted on the LYIT Emerging Technologies for Industry program. I have always had a keen interest in technology and working in the Tech industry has been a dream of mine. Having been out of studies for a few years I was apprehensive as to how it would go being fully remote and twice per week in the evenings.
Craig Field, Emerging Technologies for Industry Program, LYIT
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It was a wonderful experience, the content and subjects covered were of the highest quality. The online learning portal worked flawlessly. All of our lecturers were knowledgeable, supportive and engaging. Completing this course gave me the opportunity to change careers by giving me the knowledge I needed to work in the Tech industry.
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Online learning is an effective way to offer flexible and accessible higher education to meet the needs of employers and employees, and to attract inward investment to the region. Alongside the continued growth and innovation in our on-campus sites and provision, an effective and innovative online learning strategy is key to the success of our new TU.
I was lucky to have just started a Master’s in Science Digital Media and Marketing two months before the first Covid lockdown came into place. I got to meet my classmates and lecturers in the ‘real world’ and then we moved online for all our lectures. We were already using online lectures as we had a mix of live and on-demand lectures.
Anne Conlon, MSc in Digital Media, GMIT
A NEWSLETTER FOR EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS
I thought I would miss some experiences because we were online however the lecturers created online breakout rooms for us to meet and to collaborate on projects. For anyone who is self-employed and worried about juggling work and college - you will find the time to do both. I have implemented new learning from this course which has had a positive impact on my business. I found the lecturers very supportive and knowledgeable in their field. It is one of the best things I have done for my business.
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Issue 2
Meet the CUA’s New Careers and RPL Manager Ms. Bridie Killoran has just been appointed to the role of Careers and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Manager to the HCI HigherEd 4.0 project. The new role is linked to this ambitious collaborative project led out by members of the CUA and supported by funding from the HCI Pillar 3 initiative. and digital career assessments to identify suitable bespoke individual learning pathways and courses. Bridie says: “Local and regional enterprise will benefit from this supported and agile approach to upskilling and developing employees.” Bridie will be managing the establishment of a Regional Service for Careers and Learning Pathways, including the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for flexible and online learners in the technological sector. She will be working closely with the Project Director of the HCI 4.0 Project, Professor Jacqueline McCormack (IT Sligo) and also Gavin Clinch (IT Sligo) and Dr Carina Ginty (GMIT). Her role will involve close collaboration with industry, professional bodies, students, and staff from the three institutes and service providers. Bridie will manage a team of career and RPL advisors, who will mentor and guide students through a programme of innovative and online systems which will recognise and accredit prior learning. Students will also get access to customisable
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She will be involved in the implementation of a sophisticated Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and online services centre, initiating and leading networks with industry, and playing a key role in developing relationships across the CUA’s relevant functional areas. She will lead out on the development of related policy and strategy, careers education linked to an employability framework, work-based learning projects and other online employability initiatives as set out in the Higher Education 4.0 project. Bridie has worked in tertiary education since 1993 making a significant contribution to the Careers and Employability agenda. She established and led two innovative Career and Employability Centres in the Institutes of Technology sector. She has extensive experience of developing
The new service will be an integral part of the regional ecosystem, offering new innovative programmes and pathways of learning, where policy, quality and innovation will be in line with European and international best practice. relationships with employers covering all aspects of recruitment, professional practice, and specific projects. She developed innovative employability initiatives, including the design online careers module. She also led out on the development of an Institute Employability Framework for GMIT and later for the CUA. Bridie is a graduate of DIT, TCD, University of Reading and University of Ulster. She is an accredited coach with a number of organisations and an accredited practitioner in a range of personality profiling assesment methodologies and universal design in teaching and learning.
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Bridie says: “I am very excited to be leading up this new Careers & Learning Pathways Centre as it focuses on working with people in employment, to recognise prior learning in the workplace and to facilitate access higher education, either to upskill or reskill in an agile and innovative higher education environment. The
A NEWSLETTER FOR EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS
centre will focus on deepening links with enterprise and providing the relevant advice on career pathways for employees looking to develop their full career potential. The whole process will be motivating for individuals as it enables people to gain a recognised qualification and support learners on new learning and career pathways.”
To find out more about the new Careers & Learning Pathways centre contact Bridie at bridie.killoran@gmit.ie
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Issue 2
Research and Innovation (R&I) Update Summer 2021 has been very busy for the CUA Research and Innovation (R&I) team.
In July the international panel reviewing our technological university (TU) application held three separate sessions involving postgraduate research students, postgraduate research supervisors, and research and innovation managers. The panel identified research performance as the defining transformative feature of TUs. The summer also saw substantial progress in the delivery of key R&I initiatives for the CUA such as:
Postgraduate Researcher Training Programmes (PRTPs)
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Eight applications to establish PRTPs were received in May. These included proposals in: • Creating resilient societies through the sustainable management of natural resources; • Digital Disruption & Transformation for the Data Economy; • Digital Innovation in Enterprise, Marketing and Society; • Digital Manufacturing and Design; • Modelling and Computational Technologies for Health and Society (MOCHAS);
• Regional Economic Development: Enterprise, Sustainability and Policy; and, • Tourism, Archaeology & Heritage for Sustainability. The proposals demonstrated great appetite for collaboration. A total of 212 collaborating partners were identified within Higher Educational Institutions (58), Private enterprise (83), Public enterprise (36), Agencies (28), and Non-Government Organisations (7). The PRTP call identified 120 PhD proposals, involving 157 CUA staff as supervisors, and 45 external project supervisors.
• Operations and Supply Chain Management; WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS A TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
October 2021
Evaluation of the PRTP proposals was conducted in June by external evaluators, independent of the CUA research and innovation executive. The evaluation panel were really impressed by the
standard of the proposals. Only 13% separated the highest and lowest ranked proposals. The panel concluded that all proposals could be funded if sufficient resources were available.
The highest-ranking programme was the Modelling and Computational Technologies for Health and Society (MOCHAS) programme which will now be funded and established.
MOCHAS aims to: • Produce highly skilled graduates in modelling and computational technologies who can drive future development of our region; • Expand the research skills, capacity, and networks of academic staff across the CUA; • Coordinate, engage and grow existing research strengths in mathematical modelling and computation and applications across the CUA to lead to development of a new CUA research group; • Expand engagement of CUA researchers with regional, national and international collaborators and stakeholders; and, • Support other research across the CUA with expertise in modelling and computational technologies. MOCHAS will soon recruit 15 new PhD students, and enable collaboration between 24 CUA supervisors and over 30 external partners. Congratulations to the entire MOCHAS programme team and their proposal leaders: Dr Liam Morris (Lecturer in Mechanical & Industrial Engineering at GMIT), Dr Eoghan Furey (Lecturer in Computing at LYIT’s Faculty of Engineering & Technology), and Dr Marion McAfee (Senior Lecturer in Mechatronic Engineering in IT Sligo’s Faculty of Engineering and Design).
The January 2020 CUA Research conference where the PRTP initiative was launched. A NEWSLETTER FOR EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS
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Issue 2
CUA Research Information Management System (RIMS) Procurement of a RIMS will enable the CUA to consolidate our institutional information on a single platform. This will greatly enhance our collective capacity to report on performance, and support achievement in the new TU. The RIMS will collate and maintain the CUA’s research profile and enable staff and departments to publish dynamic online profiles of their roles, and their involvement in education, research, and engagement. Making our capabilities discoverable will enable the new TU to build stronger collaborations internally, and with other HEIs, industry and enterprises. The RIMS will be crucial to CUA promotion, and to the attraction of postgraduate research students and research staff.
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October 2021
Meet the Vice Presidents for Research Dr Rick Officer, Vice President for Research and Innovation, GMIT Our summer meetings with the international panel drove home the importance of research as the defining transformative feature of the new TU. The panel recognised research as being crucial to effective education in the TU, to our relationships with enterprise, to our regional impact, and to our international reputation. This is extremely gratifying for the CUA research community. Together we’ve worked hard to improve our research performance, and its integration across all aspects of our mission. It is really exciting to now be poised ready to deliver on that ambition as a new TU. Rick represents GMIT on the CUA’s Research and Innovation Working Group. As Vice President for Research and Innovation Rick has responsibility for GMIT’s contract and postgraduate research provision, and its enterprise innovation hubs.He has extensive experience of competitively funded national and international research projects and programmes. Rick co-ordinated the development of CUA guidance on novel Master’s programmes designed in accordance with the TU designation criteria. He promulgated these designs through the CUA. Other CUA initiatives he has led include the: • CUA Research Collaboration Fund; • Joint supervision funding model; • Inter-institutional student transfer; • Joint conferences; • Postgraduate Researcher Training Programmes.
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Issue 2
Meet the Vice Presidents for Research Dr Chris O Malley, Vice President, Research, Innovation and Engagement, IT Sligo On the research and innovation side, the benefits of the three institutes acting as one have been clear from the start. Together we have a wider range of expertise to bring to any project, and as a result we can be more ambitious and successful in what we go after, not least the European Digital Hubs programme. Our centres working with industry can call on a wider portfolio of talent than previously and as a result we all have more to offer.
Chris represents IT Sligo on the CUA’s Research and Innovation Working Group. He has worked with colleagues to organise, participate in, and promote a range of joint initiatives and plans including organisation of joint research seminars and conferences, joint supervision bursaries, and calls for PRTP proposals. He has been the Vice President for Research, Innovation and Engagement in IT Sligo since 2018 and has led on participation in the new European RISEN Alliance bid and collaborated on several projects. Other initiatives he has taken the lead on include: • A successful funding bid to establish a new model of European-wide SME development; • Development of north-west partnership for the European Digital Innovation Hub, shortlisted by Irish Government, and led by the CUA.
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WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS A TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
October 2021
Meet the Vice Presidents for Research Mr John Andy Bonar, Vice President for Research, Equality and External Affairs The creation of the new technological university (TU) marks an extremely important milestone in the development of the west and north-west region. The collective strengths of the constituent institutions across the mission critical domain of Research and Innovation will make a strategically significant contribution to transforming the economic, technological, social and cultural development of the region.
John Andy Bonar represents LYIT on the CUA’s Reseach and Innovation Working Group. In LYIT he holds institute-wide responsibility for Research, Enterprise and Innovation, Internationalisation, LifeLong Learning and External Engagement. John Andy was part of a small team at LYIT that recently won significant competitively bid funding for multimillion euro Interreg VA Research and Innovation Projects with the University of Ulster (UU). He also leads CoLab, LYIT’s Innovation Centre, which is home to over 60 high potential tech startups employing over 200 graduate level knowledge workers. CoLab is the north-west Partner of Catalyst’s Innovation Centre at Ft George in Derry. John Andy assisted Dr Paddy Hannigan in winning Enterprise Ireland funded Regional Technology Cluster support for the Killybegs Marine Cluster. He also helped secure over €5m competitively bid funding to establish an Ocean Innovation Centre on the LYIT campus in Killybegs to drive collaboration with key industry stakeholders and exploit the enormous potential of the Blue Economy.
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Issue 2
Empowering Women Across the West and North-West of Ireland The EMPOWER Programme is a free female entrepreneurship programme which is delivered by the GMIT Innovation Hub and supported by the Hubs in the Connacht-Ulster Alliance (CUA) namely IT Sligo and LYIT. It aims to fast-track female-led businesses based in the west and north-west of Ireland by addressing specific challenges hindering their development. The programme has two parts: (i) EMPOWER START for early-stage ideas or businesses less than 18 months old and (ii) EMPOWER GROWTH for females in business for two years or more. The programme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Social Fund as part of the Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020. Just under one hundred female founders have completed programmes since it kicked off back in 2017; 60 on the EMPOWER START, 37 on the EMPOWER GROWTH and there are currently 14 participants on the GROWTH 2021 programme. Sandra Divilly Nolan, EMPOWER Programme Manager, says: “The goal of the EMPOWER programme is to fast-track female entrepreneurship in the west and north-west of Ireland. A common barrier for female entrepreneurs is the knowledge and confidence to build a team to support them as their business develops. It can be difficult to get the flexibility to achieve a healthy work-life balance”. Sandra adds: “ ‘If you can see it you can be it’. Showcasing successful female entrepreneurs who are willing to share their mistakes and learnings is a key element of the EMPOWER Programme.” 36
Since 2017 the team at EMPOWER have hosted an annual EMPOWER Explore Event. Last year due to the widespread pandemic the event had to be brought online. The event focussed on subjects such as earlystage investment for women entrepreneurs, blockchain technology and achieving success in business and personal life.
If you can see it you can be it. Keynote speaker Anne Ravanona, founder of Global Invest Her and EU Delegation Member of the W20, was interviewed by MC Susan HayesCulleton CFA, “The Positive Economist”, about securing early-stage investment for female founders. Professor Joyce O’Connor, founding President of the National College of Ireland and co-founder and Chair of BlockW explained the benefits of blockchain for Irish SMEs. Shane McCarthy Founder & CEO of Irish Craft Beverages
and Victoria Thompson CoFounder and CEO at Orora shared how they embraced blockchain technology in their businesses. Entrepreneurs Brenda Romero, CEO and co-founder of Romero Games and Mairead Mackle, founder and CEO of Tarasis Enterprises talked about their stories of success in business and personal life. These ladies highlighted the possibilities of having a family and running a successful business. The ambition and success both ladies demonstrated was something that helps inspire future female founders. Three EMPOWER past participants took part in a live pitch competition; Carla Rosenkranz, Founder of BARTERKIND, Collette McGowen Founder & CEO of Kollabro and Mary McHugh Owner of Irish Online Counselling & Psychotherapy Service. The audience voted to select the winner, Carla Rosenkranz, has won mentoring and training sponsored by the LEO Mayo and a hot desk at the Mayo Innovation Hub.
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Sandra Divilly Nolan (pictured left), EMPOWER Programme Manager, says: “Women entrepreneurs consistently get only 2.8% of venture capital. Anne Ravanona and the team at Global Invest Her are running the ‘1Million InvestHers Campaign’ aiming to get one million female entrepreneurs funded by 2030.
Dr Orla Flynn, GMIT and Susan HayesCulleton, CFA, at the annual EMPOWER Explore Event.
Carla Rosenkranz, founder of BARTERKIND, makes her pitch at the EMPOWER Explore Event. A NEWSLETTER FOR EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS
We were delighted that Ms Ravanona joined our conference as her goals align closely to that of EMPOWER”. To find out more about EMPOWER and past participants visit their website www.empower.ie and follow their social media platforms.
Mary McHugh, Owner of Irish Online Counselling & Psychotherapy Service, makes her pitch at the EMPOWER Explore Event.
Susan HayesCulleton, CFA and Brenda Romera, CEO, and co-founder of Romero Games in conversation at the annual EMPOWER Explore Event.
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Issue 2
DigitalEd Conference attracts over 700 attendees Building Digital Teaching and Learning Capabilities in the CUA In May of this year, over 700 colleagues from across the CUA participated in this 4-day programme. The conference covered a wide range of digital teaching and learning initiatives, established since commencing the iNOTE project in GMIT, IT Sligo and LYIT. Presenters included staff from all three CUA institutes. Keynote addresses exploring hot topics such as teaching and learning experiences during the pandemic and the digital transformation journey in Higher Education, included: Making Social Connections: The importance of empathy, storytelling and re(building) confidence Sue Beckingham, Sheffield Hallam University
Pivot and the Pandemic: Professional learning during the time of Covid-19 Dr Orna Farrell, Dublin City University
Learning in a Time of Solitude: What have we really learned from a year of living and learning during the global pandemic? Sheila MacNeill, Independent Consultant and Open Educator
Online Teaching Experience in MTU followed by a Digital Blitz with GMIT’s Digital Champions Dr Tom Farrelly, MTU and EdTech Gasta
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WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS A TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
October 2021
How does OpenEd fit into DigitalEd? Dr Catherine Cronin, National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
Building Digital Teaching and Learning Capabilities in the CUA with DigitalEd.ie Knowledge Platform Dr Carina Ginty, GMIT Head of Teaching and Learning Office & Project Lead DigitalEd.ie
The CUA DigitalEd Conference was a unique opportunity for academic and professional services colleagues from across 8 campuses, to collaborate and share in an online learning space. A suite of digital illustrations summarising the keynote and digital blitz messages is available to view here. The full DigitalEd Week Programme can be accessed here.
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Issue 2
Figure 1: Digital Illustration: Learning in a time of solitude - what have we really learned from a year of living and learning during a global pandemic? Sheila MacNeill, Independent Consultant, Open Educator, Writer, Artist.
The second annual CUA DigitalEd Conference week will be held in May 2022. It will be open to the wider Higher Education sector and will showcase the CUA’s recent digital transformation outputs from the iNOTE project (2019-2022). The conference will offer a variety of teaching and learning workshops, information sessions and international keynote speeches. For further information please contact Jessica Duffy (pictured here), Teaching and Learning Project Co-ordinator at GMIT T&L Office at TLO@gmit.ie
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WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS A TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
The three CUA institutes, GMIT, LYIT and IT Sligo have a record of involvement in higher education which spans 50 years. The CUA’s application for designation as a technological university (TU) has been approved and work has commenced on establishing the new TU.
Working together towards a technological university
