Sir, – Joe Humphreys's article ("Colleges in crisis", Weekend Review, February 15th) raises some valid concerns regarding the challenges facing the higher education sector in Ireland. However, it unfairly singles out the perceived lack of student engagement and activity at UCD for particular criticism.
Mr Humphreys and his interviewee might enjoy taking the short walk from the Newman Building, north along the concourse past the new exchequer-funded state-of-the-art science centre, to the new purpose-built, student-levy funded student centre, which boasts a debating chamber, Olympic-size swimming pool, theatre and recreational and work spaces, as well as the infamous “Trap” pool hall and arcade, incorrectly reported in this article as having closed.
The student centre provides a space for the creativity, enthusiasm and talent of Irish students and educators to flourish, and sees countless hours of commitment, toil and energy invested in student-led charitable, social, sporting and cultural activities, following the migration of student life to this end of campus away from the quaint but cramped “library tunnel” referred to in the article in the early 2000s.
UCD and Irish educators, like many parts of Irish society, have learnt to do more with less in recent years. Irish higher education institutions are among the best in the world, and remain among the most popular destinations for Erasmus, exchange and foreign students and researchers. Bright and talented students and dedicated staff continue to make an enormously positive social and cultural contribution to the wider community, which is something to celebrate, and not denigrate. – Yours, etc,
BARRY COLFER,
Pembroke College,
University of Cambridge,
Cambridge,
England.
Sir, – The debate on the future direction of the third level sector is to be welcomed. There are many critical issues to be discussed, but given the centrality of the sector to all aspects of Irish life (from culture and languages to policy formation via biotech and medical research) is it not time to appoint a minister with specific responsibility for the sector?
Not only are the issues facing third level mostly quite distinct from the challenges within primary and secondary education, but these issues also fall within the remit of several government departments some way from Marlborough Street. It is clear that Ruairí Quinn hasn’t a clue where to begin (how does eliminating “duplication” help reduce our poor staff-student ratio?), possibly because his in-tray is already full. – Yours, etc,
Prof DANIELLE CLARKE,
School of English, Drama
and Film,
University College Dublin,
Dublin 4.
Sir, – The Irish Times 's coverage of the rather familiar theme of "oh no third level education is (yet again) in crisis" was an interesting take on the usual culprits: fees, quality of teaching, standards, etc.
However, one observation which springs to mind is that Ruairí Quinn in his usual refrain, did not mention the appalling duplication of courses at second level. Do we really need all those schools all teaching the same thing? Given that this sector consumes approximately 33 per cent of the State’s education budget as opposed to 19 per cent for higher education, why can’t the DES come up with a plan for mergers and clusters (and a “compact”) for post-primary as well?
Is it perhaps because as a sector it is infinitely less compliant and more truculent than higher education, which despite doing well via most international indicators, always seems to metaphorically roll over and let the HEA tickle its metaphorical belly. Plus ça change anyone? – Yours, etc,
Dr ANDREW LOXLEY,
St Johns Road,
Sandymount,
Dublin 4.