Ireland

Ireland as a state

From Wikipedia:

Ireland (Irish: Éire, Template:Pronounced) is a country in north-western Europe. The modern sovereign state occupies about five-sixths of the island of Ireland, which was first partitioned on May 3 1921. It is bordered by Northern Ireland (part of the United Kingdom) to the north, by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and by the Irish Sea to the east. Legally, the term Republic of Ireland (Irish: Poblacht na hÉireann) is the description of the State but Ireland is its name.<ref>Article 4 of the Constitution of Ireland and Section 2 of the Republic of Ireland Act 1948.</ref>

In the early 20th century, Ireland became the successor-state to the Irish Free State. Ireland was one of the poorest countries in Western Europe and had high emigration. The protectionist economy was opened in the late 1950s and Ireland joined the European Community (now the European Union) in 1973. An economic crisis led Ireland to start large-scale economic reforms in the late 1980s. Ireland reduced taxation and regulation dramatically compared to other EU countries.<ref name="workforall">"EU: Causes of Growth differentials in Europe", WAWFA think tank</ref>

Today, the Index of Economic Freedom ranks Ireland as the world's third most economically free country. This liberalisation has transformed Ireland into one of the fastest growing, richest, most developed and peaceful countries on earth, having the fifth highest gross domestic product per capita and the eighth highest gross domestic product per capita considering purchasing power parity,<ref>List of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita</ref> and having the fifth highest Human Development Index rank. The country also boasts the highest quality of life in the world, ranking first in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Quality-of-life index. Ireland was ranked fourth on the Global Peace Index. Ireland also has high rankings for its education system, political freedom and civil rights, press freedom and economic freedom; it was also ranked fourth from the bottom on the Failed States Index, being one of the few "sustainable" states in the world. Ireland has emerged as an attractive destination and foreign immigrants who now make up approximately 10% of the population. Ireland's population is the fastest growing in Europe with an annual growth rate of 2.5%.

Ireland is a member of the EU, the OECD, and the UN. Ireland's policy of neutrality means it is not a member of NATO, although it does contribute to peacekeeping missions sanctioned by the UN.

For more see Republic of Ireland.

Ireland education

The education systems are largely under the direction of the government via the Minister for Education and Science (currently Batt O'Keefe, TD). Recognised primary and secondary schools must adhere to the curriculum established by authorities that have power to set them.

The education systems in Ireland are complex due to a confusion of ownership, control and curricular assessment. This has arisen because the systems developed over long periods of time with variable influence by several key players, including the Irish state.Template:Verify credibility Unlike in countries such as France, Ireland's state education system is largely limited to the content of the curriculum, although this too is mediated by voluntary interests.Template:Verify credibility The Programme for International Student Assessment, coordinated by the OECD, currently ranks Ireland's education as the 20th best in the world, being significantly higher than the OECD average.<ref>http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/42/8/39700724.pdf</ref>

Primary, Secondary and Tertiary (University/College) level education are all free in Ireland for all EU citizens.

Ireland higher education

Higher Education in Ireland consists of the universities (with associated colleges of education), institutes of technology, and a number of private independent colleges. The universities and institutes of technology are autonomous and self-governing, but are substantially state-funded

Universities

There are nine universities in Ireland - 2 in Northern Ireland and 7 in the Republic. The University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD), founded in 1592, is the oldest university in Ireland. The National University of Ireland (NUI) is a federal institute consisting of four constituent universities; University College Dublin, National University of Ireland Dublin; University College Cork, National University of Ireland Cork; National University of Ireland Galway and National University of Ireland Maynooth. NUI also has three recognised colleges: National College of Art and Design (NCAD), The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and St. Angela's College of Education. The University of Limerick (UL) and Dublin City University (DCU) are our newest universities and were founded in 1989. The two universities in Northern Ireland are: the University of Ulster (UU) and the Queen's University of Belfast (QUB).

In addition to offering degrees at Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate levels, over a full range of disciplines, the universities and colleges also undertake research in many areas. Undergraduate and postgraduate diplomas are also available and universities are involved in continuing and distance education programmes (aimed mainly at Irish residents).

Institutes of Technology

There are currently 14 Institutes of Technology located throughout the Republic offering programmes at degree, national diploma and national certificate levels in a wide variety of subjects. Their qualifications are externally validated by Ireland's national certification authority, which ensures that their qualifications reach the highest international standards. Many of the Institutes of Technology also run postgraduate diploma and degree programmes, both taught and research.

Colleges of Education

There are five Colleges of Education for primary school teachers. These colleges offer three year full time courses leading to a B.Ed degree which is the recognised qualification for primary school teaching.

Independent Third Level Colleges

These colleges offer programmes leading to certificates, diplomas and degrees, which have received recognition by Ireland's national certification authority or from other external accreditation institutions (such as universities). Courses on offer include: Accountancy and Business Studies, Law, Humanities, Hotel & Catering, Tourism Studies and Art.

Third level education in Ireland is free for students who are irst-time undergraduates and, re E.U. nationals and have been ordinarily resident in an E.U. Member State for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third-level course.

The universities and colleges have a small number of scholarships for overseas students. Students are advised to contact the institution directly to obtain Application.

Ireland virtual campus activities

Paul decided early on that Ireland would not be analysed in detail before work on the UK was well under way. In particular he would delay renewing contact with the Higher Education Authority (HEA) until the selection of Irish members of the Advisory Committee was complete. This is now done and no members of HEA are on the list.

Earlier consultancy work (prior to Re.ViCa) with HEA and early search work within Re.ViCa established that the two Irish institutions most likely to be in the MELI category were:

1. OSCAIL (NDEC), the Irish National Distance Education Centre, based at Dublin City University (DCU - see http://www.dcu.ie/) – currently under review after an adverse an adverse quality report (public, as they usually are) with the likelihood that central funding will be progressively reduced. For more see http://www.dcu.ie/oscail/.

1. Hibernia College, which describes itself as Ireland's Online College - a private but accredited provider of tertiary education active in e-learning and having links with at least one UK provider of teacher training, Canterbury Christ Church University. For more see http://www.hiberniacollege.net/.

It is not regarded as likely that there are any other providers in the MELI category but there may just possibly be some more NELI institutions. However, Irish universities are still rather traditional and there is as yet no e-learning policy from HEA or funding for it.

The proposed plan for Ireland is now that the Advisory Committee is decided, Paul will contact HEA and negotiate a study visit by himself - and a colleague? - to all Irish universities (and Hibernia College) to analyse their e-learning activities, the report to be shared with HEA. This can be done in about one week of travel but is unlikely to occur until the autumn of 2008. Paul has reconnected with HEA (thanks to Sally in part for this) but progress is slow on negotiations due to staff and policy changes.

Ireland-UK links

Given its proximity to the UK and perhaps in the new climate of cross-border collaboration, it might not be very surprising if Ireland became interested in benchmarking e-learning.

Miscellaneous matters

There is an intriguing reference to a course on benchmarking e-learning standards at University College Dublin.

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For other UK home nations and countries

Within the UK

1. England
2. Scotland
3. Wales
4. Northern Ireland

Outside the UK

1. Austria
2. France
3. Finland
4. Germany
5. Italy
6. Switzerland
7. United Kingdom

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