“The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, this week used the occasion of a speech delivered at the London School of Economics to develop a little more his theme of a society that has lost its way, and of an academic profession that should accept the responsibility of restoring it to intellectual health …” (more)
[Ferdinand von Prondzynski, University Blog, 22 February]
“George Boole’s former home at Grenville Place in Cork City is now up for sale as an investment ‘site’. For €350,000 you can purchase this large city centre building which was once home to Queen’s College Cork’s first Professor of Mathematics …” (more)
[Eoin Lettice, Communicate Science, 22 February]
“The HEA Key Facts and Figures 2010/11 provides an overview of data from the Irish higher education system. It provides a ‘picture by numbers’ of the sector, highlighting the key trends for the year as well as information on: New entrants to the sector; Enrolments; Graduate data; Student details; …” (more)
[Higher Education Authority, 22 February]
“The prospects for quick European approval of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement dimmed Wednesday as the European Commission, the EU’s executive branch, announced plans to seek an opinion from the European Court of Justice about ACTA’s constitutionality …” (more)
[Timothy B Lee, Ars Technica, 22 February]
“The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) today demanded that the conditions of service of new teachers must be protected from further attack. The union was speaking on the afternoon of a march of student teachers from all over the country to Leinster House …” (more)
[Teachers’ Union of Ireland, 22 February]
“Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the requirement for a foreign language at leaving certificate level for a degree course at National University Ireland colleges; and if there are plans to change this criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)
[Dáil Éireann, 21 February]
“Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will support the combined efforts of the Institute of Technology Tralee, Cork Institute of Technology and Limerick Institute of Technology in obtaining university status; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)
[Dáil Éireann, 21 February]
“Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will give a commitment that no decision will be made on the future of third level institutes by him or the Higher Education Authority prior all submissions being received, acknowledged and consulted with …” (more)
[Dáil Éireann, 21 February]
“On February 20, 2012, following the presentations from An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, TD, and the Vice President of China Xi Jinping at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin, the Irish Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn, TD, hosted the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Professor Yang Ke of Peking University, China, and Dr Sean Rowland of Hibernia College, Dublin, at the Department of Education and Skills. This academic joint venture will see the two institutions collaborate to provide postgraduate education in Medicines Development and Regulatory Sciences across China and South East Asia …” (more)
[Irish Press Releases, 20 February]
“My article on podcasting for chemistry has hit the shelves and has made the cover of Education in Chemistry. They have put it online too for free so …” (more)
[Michael Seery, Is this going to be on the exam?, 22 February]
“Jumping in first, I want to recommend Debt: The First 5000 Years as a book that ought to interest just about everyone interested in the way societies are organized. I learned a lot from it, well beyond the core point about the centrality of debt …” (more)
[John Quiggin, Crooked Timber, 22 February]
“A recent speech by the Universities Minister focused on his apparent desire to reduce regulation for institutions: ‘We are in a government that understands the value of autonomy’, Mr Willetts said. Mr Willetts talked about the possibility of reducing data collection requirements as well as the likelihood of universities escaping some EU regulation …” (more)
[Registrarism, 22 February]
“Hundreds of primary schools face new difficulties in paying for basic utilities such as heating and lighting after a fresh cut in school maintenance supports. The cut in capitation support is designed to offset a Government U-turn on funding for disadvantaged schools …” (more)
[Seán Flynn, Irish Times, 22 February]
“More than 100 young Irish emigrants queued in the chilly London air last night to listen to President Michael D Higgins. Mostly students of the London School of Economics and Political Science, they made an eager audience as the President gave his thoughts on the role public intellectuals can play in the financial and political crisis …” (more)
[Danielle Moran, Irish Times, 22 February]
“Students at Exeter University have been told cross-dressing is offensive to transgender people – but history shows drag has been a part of student revelry for more than a century …” (more)
[Matthew Holehouse, Daily Telegraph, 22 February]
“Ireland and the European Union have been ‘living through a period of extreme individualism’ when the very existence of society itself has been questioned, President Michael D Higgins has told the London School of Economics …” (more)
[Mark Hennessy, Irish Times, 21 February]
“Education Minister Ruairi Quinn still faces political pressure over a number of budget cuts despite a significant rowback on the planned withdrawal of teachers from 132 disadvantaged primary schools …” (more)
[Niall Murray, Irish Examiner, 22 February]
“Universities are increasingly employing data on teenagers’ family and education background to hit tough Government targets to recruit more poor students, according to research …” (more)
[Graeme Paton, Daily Telegraph, 21 February]
“Deputy Seán Kyne: I am delighted to raise this issue of importance in my constituency and, I am sure, across the country. It has been raised time and again by a number of my constituents who are affected by it. Our student grant scheme, which was set out in the Student Support Act 2011 and SI 305/2011 and amended in previous years, has a flaw that has become particularly visible …” (more)
[Dáil Éireann Topical Issue Debate, 21 February]
“This past fall, Occupy Wall Street protesters around the country called for far-reaching changes in our society, including forgiveness of student-loan debt. While we believe loan forgiveness is a bad idea for a variety of reasons, we also think the protesters are right in calling attention to the nation’s Byzantine and inefficient system of student lending …” (more)
[Andrew Gillen and Richard Vedder,
Chronicle of Higher Education, 20 February]
