“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]
“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]
“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]
“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]
“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]
“Somewhere in the Ministry of Magic or Death Star One, or wherever they Make The Decisions, someone is having a great laugh at our expense. According to the terms of the Croke Park Agreement, lecturers are required to meet with their students and that meeting slot must be a timetabled hour …” (more)
[Michael Seery, Is this going to be on the exam?, 21 February]
“The Croke Park dance involving the government, public sector management and public sector unions continues apace. It’s a dance on so many levels. The unions are playing a very cute game. All the dancers are …” (more)
[The Cedar Lounge Revolution, 21 February]
“As readers of The Irish Times know, there have been serious differences of opinion recently about the structure of Irish higher education. Put briefly, a number of institutes of technology – possibly all of them, by the time you read this – have declared in clusters that they are seeking a new status, that of a ‘technological university’ …” (more)
[Ferdinand von Prondzynski, Irish Times, 21 February]
“The governing bodies of UCC and CIT are to be asked to attend the next meeting of Cork City’s Joint Policing Committee to answer allegations that they are not doing enough to counter the drink-fuelled antisocial behaviour of their students …” (more)
[Sean O’Riordan, Irish Examiner, 21 February]
“GMIT has officially voted to discontinue its Raise and Give week, after a similar decision was taken by NUIG authorities last year. The move has been heralded as the ‘end of an era’ in Galway …” (more)
[Roisín Callnan, StudentNews.ie, 20 February]
“This week sees the launch of an Israeli initiative called Faces of Israel which essentially is a charm offensive designed to address what the Israeli government believes is a generally negative image of the country here in Ireland …” (more)
[Studenty_Galway, 20 February]
“Judges in England and Wales have long been sensitive of the boundaries of their authority under the Judicial Review jurisdiction. Lord Hope recently sought to highlight the limits of the judicial role in the Axa Insurance (2011) case, by contrasting it with the focus of Parliament …” (more)
[Colin Murray, Human Rights in Ireland, 20 February]
“You may not have been aware of this, but one of the key dangers facing higher education, at least in America, is that it has come to the attention of Satan, and may indeed have already been taken over by him …” (more)
[Ferdinand von Prondzynski, University Blog, 20 February]
“Serious concerns about the donation from the unknown ‘Chong Hua’ foundation were raised last month by several Cambridge academics who feared that Beijing was using its vast resources to purchase soft-power influence at the university …” (more)
[Peter Foster, Sunday Telegraph, 19 February]
“The rhetorical question is a hollow-sounding device, much favoured by monologuising dons: asked for the sake of effect, it doesn’t feel obliged to provide an answer. Stefan Collini addresses the empty air in his title but then loses his nerve in the first paragraph of his book …” (more)
[Peter Conrad, Observer, 19 February]
“One of the ministers charged with overseeing the reform of the public service has warned of a ‘nuclear winter’ of industrial action if the Croke Park deal is abandoned …” (more)
[Stephen Rogers, Irish Examiner, 18 February]
