News in 2011/12
Appointments of new Vice-Provost/Chief Academic Officer and Senior Lecturer
1 September 2011
Professor Linda Hogan was appointed the 71st Vice-Provost following Board approval on 1st September 2011. She is the Vice-Provost and Chief Academic Officer of the College and takes over from the previous incumbent Professor Michael Marsh. Prof Hogan is Professor of Ecumenics. She has degrees from the Pontifical University Maynooth and of Trinity College, Dublin, where she gained her Ph.D. In 2007 she became a Fellow of TCD.
Dr Patrick Geoghegan has been appointed Senior Lecturer and takes over from Professor Aileen Douglas. He is an historian in the School of Histories and Humanities and holds a B.A. and a Ph.D. from University College Dublin. In 2008 he became a Fellow of TCD, and from March 2010 to August 2011 he served as Associate Dean of Research.
News in 2010/11
Vice-Provost/CAO signs memorandum of understanding with Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore
19 April 2011
A delegation from Trinity College Dublin, led by the Vice-Provost/CAO, Prof Michael Marsh promoting educational and research links with institutions in Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore, India, took part in the Enterprise Ireland trade mission to India from 17th to 21st April 2011. Potential links for key areas of collaboration were explored in the areas of the digital humanities, history, law and business, and political science. Institutions visited in Delhi were the University of Delhi, to follow up on the MoU signed there last November, and Jawaharlal Nehru University. A memorandum of understanding was signed with the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. Other institutions visited were the National Law School of India, Bangalore, and the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad.
Vice-Provost/CAO signs student exchange agreement with Moscow State University
7 September 2010
Victor Antonovich SADOVNICHY, President of MSU & Vice-Provost/CAO
A delegation from Trinity College Dublin, promoting educational and cultural links with Russian institutions, took part in the Enterprise Ireland trade mission to the Russian Federation this week (September 6th-11th) which coincided with the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese's State visit to the country.
One of the projects promoted during the visit was the establishment of Ireland's first Russian Cultural Centre. Trinity College Dublin, the Dublin City Public Libraries and the Dublin City Council are very close to finalising negotiations with the ‘Russian World' (Russkiy mir) Foundation to open the first Russian Cultural Centre in Ireland. This jointly funded initiative will provide a Russian-language resource centre, a range of language classes from beginners to advanced, and a cultural outreach programme for the general public. In the course of the trade mission, TCD's Vice-Provost/ Chief Academic Officer, Professor Patrick Prendergast, accompanied by College Registrar, Professor Juergen Barkhoff and Head of School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies, Dr Sarah Smyth, invited representatives from Russkiy mir to visit Dublin to agree an appropriate venue in one of Dublin's library premises.
Trinity College Dublin ( Centre for Literary Translation , Department of Russian and Slavonic Studies , Oscar Wilde Centre for Irish Writing ), the Irish Literature Exchange, Dublin City Public Libraries and the Dublin City Council in collaboration with the Gorky Literary Institute in Moscow also launched the biennial publication of a journal to showcase contemporary Irish literature in translation into Russian and an annual Fellowship in Literary Translation.
The Fellowship in Literary Translation will be for a citizen of the Russian Federation and is intended for translators of English or Irish into any of the languages of the Russian Federation. As part of the fellowship the translator will reside in Trinity for a semester and will be provided with a stipend and a workspace in the university's institute for arts and humanities, the Trinity Long Room Hub. The selected candidate will also provide master classes and contribute to the life of the university and city of Dublin through readings and lectures to the public and student body.
During the visit, the Vice Provost/ Chief Academic Officer, Professor Patrick Prendergast, signed a student exchange agreement with Moscow State University (MSU). Both Trinity College and the Russian university have been collaborating for a number of years and the agreement goes to further strengthen Trinity's relationship with one of the leading universities in Russia. It enables Trinity students from the Department of Russian and Slavonic Studies to study at the university, and similarly Russian students from MSU can study a range of subjects at Trinity across the university's faculties.
At a meeting in Moscow State University the Vice-Provost/ Chief Academic Officer, Professor Prendergast also met and addressed the first group of seven or eight students studying Irish as their primary foreign language. The School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies presented the Philology Faculty with Irish language textbooks. The delegation also copper fastened an agreement whereby TCD and Moscow State University administer the Russian State Language tests in Ireland on an annual or biennial basis.
Signing of Student Exchange agreement, Moscow State University
The Minister for Trade and Commerce Mr Billy Kelleher, who is leading the Enterprise Ireland trade mission, welcomed these important educational and cultural initiatives stating: “Ireland-Russia education relationships are growing. Significant numbers of Russian students come to study in Ireland every year and we are confident that this number will continue to grow in the coming years.”
“Ireland-Russia Education partnerships, such as Trinity College Dublin's agreements with Moscow State University greatly enhance the global image and understanding of Ireland and contribute to an accumulation of capital that is not just economic, but political and cultural. It also, reciprocally, provides a means of enhancing the quality of learning, teaching and research in Ireland.”
“The participation of Trinity College Dublin as well as the other leading Irish and Russian institutions on this trade mission is a most encouraging indication of the significant potential for increasing and deepening the Ireland-Russia education relationship.”
Commenting on the significance of the links with Russia, the Vice-Provost/ Chief Academic Officer, Professor Patrick Prendergast added: “Together with Dublin City Council and the Irish Literature Exchange, we are forging significant links with the Russian Federation. For Trinity which is the only university in Ireland with a Department of Russian and Slavonic Studies, these are very important agreements which will provide major stimulus and a vibrant literary exchange also involving our Centre for Literary Translation and Oscar Wilde Centre for Irish Writing.”
During the visit a book of drawings, titled A collection of Russian Architectural Drawings in the Library of Trinity College Dublin , depicting the palaces, gardens, churches and monasteries of St Petersburg was presented to President McAleese. The book's content focuses on drawings that were recently discovered in the Trinity College library and date from the mid 18th century. Using the expertise of individuals from both within TCD and abroad, the book provides a detailed historical insight into the development of St Petersburg's buildings and the links that existed between Russia and Europe in the late 1740's. These drawings also help to expand and correct our existing knowledge of both the trade and cultural links that existed between Europe and Russia at that time. The publication, which was commissioned by Trinity College, was published in Russia with the support of the Trinity Long Room Hub , Trinity's arts and humanities research institute.
Student Exchange Agreement between National University of Singapore and TCD signed by Vice-Provost/CAO
5 August 2010
Front row: VP/CAO Professor Patrick Prendergast and Professor TAN, Eng Chye, Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost NUS. Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost NUS.
Back row: Susan Tan, Manager Global Education and International Relations Office (IRO); Associate Professor Anne Pakir, Director, IRO; John McPartland, Director International Affairs, TCD; Bridget Tee, Associate Director Global Education, IRO
A new student exchange agreement between Trinity College Dublin and the National University of Singapore (NUS), allowing students from each university an opportunity to study abroad was recently signed on behalf of TCD by the Vice-Provost/ Chief Academic Officer Professor Patrick Prendergast. The exchange agreement was just one part of the visit which included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two institutions which will serve as a framework to help develop research links and encourage academic and cultural interchange.
Speaking on behalf of Trinity College, Professor Patrick Prendergast said: “This partnership with the National University of Singapore will not only offer Trinity students a unique opportunity to study at a world renowned institution, but will also increase the multilateral cooperation between European and Asian higher education institutes.”
The new student exchange programme will allow participating students undertake academic programmes at the host institution with all academic credits earned, taken into account at the home institution. One advantage for TCD students is that courses offered at NUS are taught through English, thereby ensuring that the opportunity to study at a highly regarded university in Asia is open to all students of Trinity. The new agreements with NUS are in keeping with TCD's strategic objective to engage with other leading universities throughout the world.
As a leading university in Asia, NUS offers a global approach to education and research with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise. Established in 1905, NUS is Singapore's oldest university. Its broad-based curriculum, which is underscored by multi-disciplinary courses and cross-faculty enrichment, currently caters for over 35,000 students from 100 countries.
News in 2009/10
Trinity College Dublin Announces a New Partnership for Teacher Education with its Associated Colleges of Education
11 May 2010
Trinity College Dublin has announced a new partnership for teacher education with its Associated Colleges, Marino Institute of Education and the Church of Ireland College of Education. This follows year-long discussions, chaired by the Vice-Provost/Chief Academic Officer, resulting in the unanimous agreement by all parties involved of the new arrangements, also approved by the University Council and Board. In responding to the announcement, Professor Patrick Prendergast said: “This partnership will reconfigure and strengthen the longstanding arrangement with these institutions and offer a new focus for Irish educational policy and practice".
The new partnership, in keeping with best practice in teacher education and curriculum innovation, will develop a more integrated approach to theory and practice in teacher education and will further enhance the student experience. The two Associated Colleges of Education will have autonomy and control over the teaching and organisation of their own undergraduate programmes providing for greater flexibility and individuality in their delivery. The new partnership also provides for greater collaboration between Trinity College and its Associated Colleges in relation to postgraduate education and research.
The University will continue to accredit the programmes and award University of Dublin qualifications, and will oversee the quality assurance processes.
Existing registered students of the Colleges of Education will also continue to access Trinity College facilities, its libraries, sports facilities and student societies, and to enjoy the Trinity student experience.
The School of Education at TCD, Marino Institute of Education and the Church of Ireland College of Education will work more closely to develop postgraduate teacher education and research. In a separate agreement with NUI Maynooth, Froebel College of Education will transfer to the NUIM campus where students and teaching staff will be moved and all aspects of these.
Launch of the Early Career Mentoring Initiative
24 March 2010
The Early Career Mentoring Initiative for Academic Staff was launched by the Vice-Provost/Chief Academic Officer and Deans of Faculty on 24th March 2010. A pilot programme has commenced with a view to rolling out the service to all relevant staff in the next academic year. The goal of the proposed programme is to promote academic and personal development among new or recently appointed academic staff by connecting them with others who can advise and guide them, as well as helping them to understand the environment in which they are working.
For further information about the programme, see http://www.tcd.ie/Staff_Office/hrteam/development/staff/services/mentoring.php#ECMI.
Launch of College Strategic Plan 2009-14 by Provost, Vice-Provost/Chief Academic Officer and Interim Chief Operating Officer
25 November 2009
The Strategic Plan 2009-14 was officially launched on Wednesday 25th November in the Innovation Academy Space in Foster Place. The launch also marked the beginning of the implementation phase of the plan in the Schools and Administrative and Support Areas, which will use the College plan as the basis for compiling their own strategic and business plans for the next 5 years.
The process to create
and implement the new plan was coordinated by the Planning Group, chaired by
the Vice-Provost/Chief Academic Officer. All members of the College were
encouraged to contribute to the development of the new plan by participating
actively in the planning process and at various fora. The 2009-2014 Strategic
Plan was drawn up following a consultative process, during which a total of
11 themes were identified. Strategic Planning Teams (SPTs) comprising representatives
of a cross-section of academic, administrative and support staff were established
to contribute ideas for actions under each theme. Several other individual members
of staff, students, alumni, and members of external advisory boards made comments
at critical stages.
The strategic plan was approved by the University Council on 30th September
2009 and by the Board of Trinity College Dublin on 7th October 2009.
See www.tcd.ie/about/strategic_plan/ or www.tcd.ie/info/strategicplan (internal access only) to download a copy of the Strategic Plan 2009-14.
Vice-Provost/Chief Academic Officer launches Bridge IT Project Exhibition Lifescapes: Mapping Dublin Lives
19 October 2009
The Vice-Provost/CAO launched the online digital exhibition Lifescapes: Mapping Dublin Lives, part of the Bridge-IT project which aims to create "living history": breathing life into raw data and primary source material that is voice-centred and creative. This online digital exhibition space represents the outputs from the current phase of the Bridge-IT project which aims to create an interactive online resource of biographical and archival material. The exhibition is the collective title for a group of four digital exhibitions which showcase the innovative potential of the Bridge-IT project. These four digital exhibitions are based on the biographical accounts of fifteen men and women all aged over 60 and who grew up and lived in the inner city. These exhibitions present a portrait of life in Dublin City from the perspective of these participants as they reflect upon their lives and on their experiences of ageing within a changing city environment. Their narrative histories provide fascinating insights into the social history of Dublin during their lifetimes as well as the experience of ageing in our society today. Their stories remind us all of the journey Irish society has taken during their lifetimes; acknowledging the positive advances as well as the sacrifices and the values upon which our society has been built and which must not be forgotten.
The Bridge IT project is aligned with Trinity's commitment to Engagement with Society, which is brought to the fore in the Strategic Plan 2009-14. It reaches out into the broader community and particularly the community that surrounds the college and effectively acts to give the research data that has been collected from individuals back to society and to those individuals themselves. This aims to bridge the gap between the outputs of academic research and the subjects of that research. It also confronts the social and economic barriers which still operate to exclude particular groups within society from accessing third level education.
The launch took place in Trinity's Science Gallery. See the Bridge-IT Lifescapes: Mapping Dublin Lives website for further details.
Vice-Provost/Chief Academic Officer launches book Pedestrian & Cyclist Impact: a Biomechanical Perspective
15 October 2009
The Vice-Provost/CAO launched a book by Dr Ciaran Simms & Dr Denis Wood Pedestrian & Cyclist Impact: a Biomechanical Perspective. Dr Ciaran Simms, BA BAI, PhD, MIEI is a Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at Trinity College Dublin, and also a Principal Investigator in the Trinity Centre for Bioengineering. Dr Denis Wood BE (Mechanical), MEngSc, PhD, Chartered Engineer has worked as a consulting forensic engineer since 1979.
This book is the first to provide a detailed treatment of the physical processes which occur when pedestrians and cyclists are struck by motorised vehicles. The importance of this research is significant when you take into consideration the negative impact both financially and socially the costs of survivors of road traffic accidents have on society. The principal focus of the book is to show how pedestrian and cyclist pre-impact movements and vehicle design influence subsequent injury outcome. This involves recourse to several academic disciplines: epidemiology, mechanics, and anatomy/physiology thereby presenting pedestrian and cyclist impact from abiomechanical perspective.
This publication will be of significant value to both new and established researchers in biomechanics and automotive engineering at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, as well as to vehicle designers, accident reconstruction engineers and road safety legislators.
The launch took place in the Royal Irish Academy.