Galway Advertiser 2004/2004_04_01/GA_0104_E1_010.pdf 

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10 N E W S

Galway Advertiser

April 1 2004

From down under to here, a fresh approach to education in NUIG
BY SINEAD MCGOVERN New Zealand may be on the other side of the world, but as a nation we have a lot in common with it, as the new professor of education in NUIG can testify. Dr Keith Sullivan comes to chair the education department in NUIG with a wealth of experience. His list of qualifications is seemingly endless and includes an MPhil from Cambridge, a PhD from Leeds University, writing an internationally successful book on bullying, lecturing via satellite to 14 countries from the University of the South Pacific on the island of Kiribati, and working in the centre for creativity and traditional learning in Israel attempting to forge links of commonality between children from Palestine and Israel. He comes to NUIG from a 16 year stint as associate professor in the Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand. Ireland and New Zealand have a lot in common, says Dr Sullivan, especially in terms of their new found interest in heritage and culture. "New Zealand was basically a farm for England for a long time, but when England joined the European Community, the strings were cut somewhat and they've had to forge their way and recreate themselves as a Pacific nation. And they've done that quite successfully, there is a very strong indigenous group there and a real sense of a fight for survival and a cultural and linguistic renaissance." Ireland too is experiencing a similar rebirth, especially in terms of culture and language, and the Canadian born professor is keen to explore that, especially in terms of education. As head of the department of education in the university, he is keen to develop cutting edge research in responcse to the current education trends here, not least the recent surge in interest in the Irish language. Maori is the nearest equivalent to Gaeilge in New Zealand. Also a first language, it is only spoken by a minority, and as Dr Sullivan worked in the area of the language's preservation, he is already expressing a similar interest in Irish. "Where I grew up in Canada there were French immersion schools, and they were as popular as the Gaelscoils seem to be here. I'm very interested in learning more about them and supporting their work. It is really important to know who you are culturally and who you are linguistically. In Maori they call it `turanga waewae'. It means having a place to stand, knowing who you are culturally and knowing your heritage." For a number of years the position of professor of education has been unfilled in NUIG, with the duties being carried out by those in an acting capacity. So one of Dr Sullivan's main priorities as chair of the department is to strengthen links with teachers, principals, and education centres in Galway and beyond. "I'm interested in discussing matters of curriculum with them, and asking them what they think good teachers should look like as they are the people who work at the chalkface. At the university, we are somewhat away from what goes on on a day to day basis and I think it is very important to encourage participation of the teaching experts in what we do, and I'm looking forward to doing that." Also on his agenda as chair of the department is the development and promotion of courses available in the education department, including the MA in education, the higher diploma in school planning, the higher diploma in learning support, the TEFL courses, the MLitt in, and the doctorate course. The development of research into current education trends in Ireland at the moment, and where it stands in relation to other countries is also of great interest to him. The Master of Education , he says, is a great way for people already working in the education realm to explore an a rea about which they are passionate. "The intention of the MEd is to bring people up to date with current trends, and to give them a sense of what the contemporary scene is. It also allows them to explore in depth an area that may be of particular interest to them, and may even make them an expert in that area," he says. Dr Sullivan describes himself as coming to NUIG with a sociological, anthropological, and educational psychology background, and there's no doubt that his depth of experience will be influential in the development and revitalisation of the education department there.

Dr Keith Sullivan, the new professor of education in NUIG, is keen to forge new friendships with the wider education community in Galway.

Education Department
(i) Higher Diploma in Professional Education Studies (ii) Master in Education
These part-time modular courses are aimed at teachers and other educational professionals who seek recognised qualifications which will further their career and enhance their professional development. The Higher Diploma in Professional Education Studies (HDPES) is a one year taught part-time course and has three components (a) Disciplines of Education (b) Specialist Courses and (c) Professional Practice. The course is held on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. Successful completion of this course represents one of the qualifying routes to the Master in Education in NUIG, Galway. Modules taken within the last five years on other professional development programmes may be counted towards this award. Full-time teachers may apply for a grant from the "Fee Relief Fund" operated by the Department of Education and Science. Entry requirements: a primary degree (eg BA, B.Ed. or equivalent) a teaching qualification (eg H.Dip. Ed., A.D.O. or equivalent) and a minimum of three years teaching or relevant experience. The number of places will be limited. Applications forms from the Admission Office, NUI, Galway. Closing dates is 7th May 2004. The Master of Education (M.Ed.) is a one year part-time course open to holders of the Higher Diploma in Professional Education Studies or an equivalent award. The M.Ed. is designed to enable participants to design and carry out educational research to a high professional standard and includes a taught element in research methodologies. The Higher Diploma in Professional Education Studies will commence in September 2004. The Master in Education will commence in September 2005. For further information http://www.nuigalway.ie/faculties-departments/education/ Education Department, NUI, Galway. (091) 750325 education@nuigalway.ie

Gort The Bridge Mills Lions' is to get a pub table quiz
BY KERNAN ANDREWS Gort and District Lions' Club will hold a table quiz in the town next week. The quiz will take place in O'Grady's of Gort next Wednesday from 8.30pm. Tickets cost 7.50 or 30 for a table of four, and a variety of prizes will be up for grabs. The Bridge Mills is to get a new restaurant following planning permission from the Galway City Council, who have also asked for the building's historic features to be protected. Frank Heneghan, the Bridge Mills, O'Brien's Bridge, applied for permission from the city council for a change of use from a fully licensed restaurant and shop area to a fully licensed premises and restaurant and internal structural changes at the Bridge Mills which is a protected structure. According to the planning report, the application seeks only minor internal structural changes to the building such as a new internal stairwell for ground to lower ground floor and a new double door in place of a single door at ground floor level. The report also noted that the applicant is "the same person who restored the building to mixed use following planning permission in 1988". The council have granted full permission and have asked the

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applicant to follow a number of guidelines. The elements of the development, which include alterations to the fabric of the protected structure will be monitored and supervised by a suitably qualified conservation architect who will then submit a report on the works to the planning authority. The outdoor terrace areas at lower ground floor level shall not be used by patrons of the premises after 11pm except as a means of emergency escape.

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