NOTE: the state does not currently fund non-eu PhD students, but watch in the future)

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1 Higher Education in the New Ireland ~Dr. Philip Nolan (UCD) Government commitment: -new PhD (4 th ) level initiative (3 rd level is no longer the end!) -substantial budget increase ( 1.2 billion) Reform: -research is at the center of the university mission -institutional differentiation (ID priority areas in research and education) -inter-institutional collaboration and mobility -emphasis on grad schools and academic structure -curriculum reform Internationalization: of students (all levels) and faculty Strategy for Science, Technology & Innovation ( National Research Plan ) -double # PhD candidates (not just Irish grad s) billion additional funds over the next 7 years (most in the first 3) Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) million -reform 3 rd level and build 4 th (increase the expectation of going to grad school) Graduate School: -formal structure- emphasis on research doctoral studies -2 stages over 4 years -thematic programs (clusters working on common theme) -supervision arrangements and student support -emerging area -state imperative to double PhD output (across disciplines w/in the sector of education, although sciences are easier to fund ) NOTE: the state does not currently fund non-eu PhD students, but watch in the future) Academic Structure: Previous: University, Faculty, Department Now: University, College, Schools Ex: UCD on : 11 Faculties, 98 Departments UCD on : 5 colleges, 35 schools Objective: -shorten lines of communication -strengthen leadership of schools -clearer strategic plan Structural reform: -modular ( courses like N. America); breaks big courses into little courses -semester -credit accumulation (point system)

2 Curriculum reform: -student-learning focus -assessment -education technology -flexibility (major, minor, joint degree, etc)

3 Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement in Irish Universities ~Dr. Padraig Walsh, IUQ See for reports (strengths, etc) Irish University Quality Board ( IUQB ) established responsible for external quality assurance (university responsible for internal QA) -with quality enhancement/ improvement focus (recommendations) Evaluations done every 5-7 years: -each dept w/in the university -each faculty w/in the university -any service provided by the university National and international comparison, including student evaluations, internal QA of university, external QA of university, and external QA of sector In 2004, all 7 Irish universities were evaluated using European University Association Institutional Evaluation Program ( EUAIE ) -establish good practices -publish guidelines See Good Practices in the Organisation of PhD Programs in Irish Universities (pdf) and Good Practices in the Organisation of Student Services (pdf)

4 The Irish Higher Education and Research System ~Dr. Eucharia Meehan, HEA Higher Education Authority ( HEA ): operates as a buffer between government and education sector Post-Celtic Tiger higher education system: 7 Universities 5 Colleges of Education (Arts & Celtic Studies; Business & Law; Engineering, Math & Physical Sciences; Human Sciences; and Life Sciences) National College of Art and Design, National Institute of Technology, etc (perhaps more info from power point slides, other notes??) HEA Research Funding: -provision and enhancement of infrastructure and capabilities for research -support and enable strategic development and collaboration -enhance quality of research education and training (both UG and post-grad) -48% of funding goes to bio sciences/ bio med -24 0f 33 research centres are completed -direct funding for 1600 researchers, > 25% from outside Ireland (2-3% from US) - enabling investments : 1200 post-grad students funded by other sources For more info, see for interactive map

5 Delivering the UCD (Univ y College Dublin) 4 th Level ~Dean Michael Ryan Continue UCD s aim of being a driver of Ireland s knowledge, economy and society Now: new grad school in each of 5 colleges 4 th level: -graduate certificate -graduate diploma -taught MSc/ MA -*MRes (focus) -*PhD (focus) -post-doc Bologna Principles have been adopted Structured PhD programs: Taught portion of program: -training program -generic and specialist skills -transferable skills Research: -research: supervisor and committee -credit framework

6 Role of Irish University Association and Irish Universities in the 21 st Century ~Conor O Carroll, IUA Research Policy: -develop common policy for universities -work w/ government funding agencies (e.g. Atlantic Philanthrpies) -represent Ireland in Europe developing policy Operations: Marie Curie Office/ Programme -international fellowship program -European research income ( 52M over past 4 years) -attracted > 250 high quality researchers from outside Ireland -2 yr full funding for PhD programs w/ researcher -Ireland most successful country in Europe Irish Mobility Centre/ Researchers Mobility Office Ireland -provides nuts & bolts support and advisory services (visas, etc) -info for researchers coming to and leaving from Ireland ExpertiseIreland.com -research database for all 9 Irish universities (7 Ireland and 2 N. Ireland) -some 3500 research profiles online -updated frequently BIKE Report : Building Ireland Knowledge Economy- policy document to increase R&D spending OECD Review of Higher Education goals; -increase ranking in Irish Institutes -double PhD output Bologna Process : moving along

7 US Ambassador to Ireland James Kenny Irish income per capita is 2 nd highest in Europe (after LUX) Microsoft and Google HQ in Dublin = many PhD jobs (knowledge-based economy) Ireland has experienced extreme growth in 3 rd level education -students go to university at no cost if they earn enough points on Irish SAT/ACT exam Irish University Panel University of Limerick, Nick ,000 students -2/3 taught Ma, 1/3 MRes and PhD, but changing -Music and Art Queens, Belfast, Donna -falls w/in UK university system -15,000 UG, 3500 post-grad : educating 2 Mitchell and 3 Marshall scholars National University Gallway, Sean -many students do JYA/ semester abroad Increased inter-institutional collaboration Look for research strength by location of Centres, critical mass, etc Important to contact/ correspond w/ faculty to determine good fit for research goals

8 Student Panel Positives of studying in Ireland: -international community -Irish are friendly -small community feel (even in Dublin) -active arts scene, lots of govt funding for the arts - Gallway rocks Difficulties: -independent learning environment -weather -anti-americanism (but distinction between American politics and American students) -adjusting to relatively slower pace of life Mitchell advice: -community involvement -ambassadorial skills -you re one of a group of 12, so how will you fit in? -Why Ireland? University X? ProgramY?