All Ireland Society for Higher Education
I am delighted to be here to welcome the launch of The All Ireland Society for Higher Education.
The initiative to establish the Society originated in the Colloquium on University Teaching and Learning: Policy and Practice, held at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in December 1998. The Higher Education Authority was delighted to assist the Irish Universities Training Network in making some funding available for that Colloquium, under the Training of Trainers Initiative.
I must say that we were a little puzzled by the recommendation for the establishment of a society arising at the Colloquium and in the report on the colloquium. We felt that the role of the Society being proposed was not clear and, accordingly, we could not see how what role it was intended to play. However, arising from the Colloquium, a number of interested people diligently sat down and endeavoured to set out the role and nature of the society and thus helped to advance towards this launch today.
The HEA is very supportive of the aims and objectives of the Society. We particularly welcome the promotional role of the Society in the professional recognition and enhancement of teaching and learning in Higher Education and the plans to put a wide range of activities in place such as seminars, conferences, publications, and online community forums and services.
When we were approached by Dr. Barry McMullin earlier in the year we immediately indicated our support for the policy thrust of this venture. We particularly welcomed the involvement of all types of third-level institution in the new Society and the all-Ireland dimension of the Society.
It is increasingly recognised that support for teaching and learning is an issue of equal importance as support for research. While there has been much public discussion in the last few years on the importance of research in higher education, I consider that a key element of the rationale for increased investment in research in higher education has been the beneficial impact on teaching and learning generally. Indeed, one of the key criteria in the Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions has been to ensure that the research that is being funded has a real impact on the quality of teaching.
The HEA made some funding available under our targeted initiatives scheme for the first time this year to support institutions in the development of teaching. This funding is separate from funding under the Training of Trainers initiative which has in recent years provided support for staff development and which is to continue. Proposals were invited from institutions funded by the HEA outlining the strategy of the institution for the support of teaching and the procedures in place and planned to implement the strategy. Funding is being provided for activities which underpin the importance of teaching and learning as a core part of the institution’s activities, such as
Over £300,000 has now been allocated to the institutions under this initiative this year.
The aims of this initiative and of the Training of Trainers programme complement the aims and objectives of the Society. I would encourage as many people as possible to join the society and to participate in its activities. It will provide a great opportunity for those who are involved in higher education, and others who have a keen interest, to come together in a new forum to develop and implement ideas and proposals which will enhance the standards of teaching and learning in third-level institutions across the island.
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