New third level report shows students at ITs more likely to drop out
A report as part of a new initiative from the HEA which gives detailed profiles of institutions. The authority insists it’s not a “ranking system”.
A NEW REPORT from the Higher Education Authority giving detailed profiles of higher education institutions shows a far higher level of non-progression between first and second year at ITs, compared to universities and colleges.
The figures — which relate to the 2010/2011 academic year — are part of a new initiative from the authority aimed at giving a more transparent picture of the sector. The detailed report also gives breakdowns of enrolments, participation levels, staff mix, and institutional funding.
In terms of drop-out rates — the report shows 16 per cent of students taking Level 8 IT courses did not make the transition from first to second year. The comparable average figure for universities was nine per cent while in colleges — including teacher training institutions — the rate was even lower, at four per cent.
The highest non-progression rate in the IT sector was at Waterford IT (21 per cent) while the best (4 per cent) was at Letterkenny. There was less variation in the university sector: Trinity had the lowest number of students dropping out (8 per cent) while DCU had the highest (11 per cent). Teacher training college St Pat’s in Drumcondra had the lowest non-progression rate in the country at just three per cent.
According to the HEA, the report is not intended to be seen as an attempt to introduce a ranking system, but a way of highlighting “how different institutions have different strengths”.
“This report signals the HEA’s intention to work in partnership with all higher education institutions to ensure that the system as a whole advances the national priorities set out by the government— economic renewal, social cohesion and cultural development, public sector reform, and for the restoration and enhancement of ireland’s [sic] international reputation,” the authority’s Chief Executive Tom Boland said in a statement.
“We intend to make this the best small country in the world in which to engage in learning and research.”
Gardaí in Strandhill Sligo exchange fire with man barricaded in parents’ house
The man has now been arrested and no one was injured in the incident.
A man has been arrested after barricading himself into his parents house in Strandhill Sligo with a shotgun in the early hours of this morning.
Gardaí were called to the scene just after midnight after receiving a report of suspicious activity at the house on the Strandhill Road.
On arrival, local gardaí noticed damage to a patio door and saw a man in his 30s in the house with a firearm. He fired at the officers who retreated to their patrol car and called for backup.
A source told TheJournal.ie that the house belongs to the man’s parents, who were away at the Leopardstown Races.
Armed units arrived at the scene and the man later discharged further shots, with gardaí returning fire and also using “less lethal” rounds.
It is understood the man shot at an unmarked garda car outside the house but no one was injured, though there was some damage to the car.
Gardaí said a critical incident was established and an on scene commander was designated in accordance with barricade incident protocols. Two cordons were put in place around the house in question and neighbours were moved out of the area.
The scene was then attended by armed units from the Emergency Response Units, trained hostage negotiators and local units.
At 1.30pm today, the man exited the house and was arrested. His shotgun was recovered and he is now being detained at Sligo Garda Station.
Gardaí said the area is still sealed off to facilitate a technical and ballistic examination.
A media blackout was observed while the incident was ongoing today, at the request of gardaí.
Irish retailers ban ‘sexy’ clothes for children "says Frances Fitzgerald"
Almost a dozen major retailers have agreed to strict guidelines outlawing the sale of “sexy clothing” for children.
Children’s Minister Frances Fitzgerald said store bosses have begun demanding increased standards from clothing designers due to growing concerns over the sexualisation of children.
She said 11 of the country’s biggest retailers have agreed to comply with the “Responsible Retailing of Childrens wear” guidelines.
Dunnes Stores is the latest to sign up to the guidelines that outlaw the sale of sexually suggestive clothing, slogans and imagery.
The other signatories are Arnotts, Brown Thomas, Clerys, Debenhams, House of Fraser, Marks & Spencer, Next, Penneys, Tesco and TK Maxx.
Ms Fitzgerald said the sexualisation of children serves to suit only those involved in the pornographic industry.
“People stop me on the street – parents and grannies – and they say, ‘Delighted you took a stand on that’,” she said.
UNDERWEAR
“I think if retailers say to their designers, ‘We don’t want this, we want something more appropriate’, you get increased standards.”
The guidelines, which were devised by Retail Ireland, focus specifically on the sale of children’s underwear.
They state that great care should be shown when it comes to the design of children’s underwear to differentiate it from adult lingerie, and that swimwear must provide for modesty and be age-appropriate.
In relation to marketing, the guidelines say childrenswear should be targeted at adult buyers only.
Meanwhile, Ms Fitzgerald has ruled out the prospect of imposing a ban on US-style children’s beauty pageants.
She said she did not believe legislation was necessary to prevent pageants here .
There were calls earlier this year for such events to be scrapped after children as young as 11 months were being put on stage.
The season for surfing, skiing and Santa swimming in full swing
Hundreds of hardy souls took the plunge into icy winter waters during Christmas Day swim events nationwide.
Swimmers wearing Santa hats got into the festive spirit, with many leaping into the freezing seas in aid of worthy causes.
More than 300 people ran and dived into the Atlantic at Banna Beach, Co Kerry, in aid of the local sea rescue unit.
Over the border in Cork, 100 people took part in a swim at Garrylucas Beach, Kinsale.
Farther north, hundreds turned up at Dublin‘s Forty Foot in Sandycove, famous every festive season for swimmers who are not fazed by cold weather.
Meanwhile, revellers in bikinis and board shorts mounted 10-foot-high waves to go surfing at Strandhill, Co Sligo.
Dozens braved bitter winds but enjoyed a clear blue sky at the surfing ‘hot’ spot on the north-west coast.
However, the star, who lives nearby, gave it a miss this year after arriving home just in time for Christmas with wife Jodi Albert and two-year-old baby Koa, who celebrated his birthday six days ago.
Kian, who was crowned jungle king after winning the latest ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here’, said he did not take part in the annual surf event this year because he had just rejoined his family and was eager to be with them.
“I’ve done a few Christmas surfs and I’m supporting the charity the guys are surfing for this year,” he said.
“But I’m spending the day with my family this time round.
“If Koa was old enough for a Christmas Day surf, maybe we would have considered it.”
POSITIVE
The surf-spree was to raise funds for the Rennafix charity, which was set up two years ago after the tragic death of Sligo surfer Paul Rennick (33) in Australia.
The charity helps in the promotion of positive mental health through outdoor activities.
Elsewhere in Sligo, Lough Arrow was the setting for a swim in aid of the NorthWest Hospice.
Those who gathered at Killaloe, Co Clare, swam in aid of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.
Swimmers also took to Loughrea Lake in Co Galway and dived off the Creevy Pier in Co Donegal to raise money for other worthy causes.
Deep sea creatures found off Rockall in Scotland
‘its NEW TO SCIENCE’
A close up of the new species of worm found during survey work
Four animals previously unknown to science have been discovered in deep water off Scotland, the Scottish government has said.
New species of large sea snail, clam and marine worm were found during surveys by Marine Scotland.
The clams and worm were at a suspected cold seep, an area where hydrocarbons are released from the seabed.
All were discovered around Rockall, the remains of a volcano 260 miles (418km) west of the Western Isles.
If confirmed, the cold seep would be the first to be discovered near Rockall. Some types of commercial fishing could be banned in the area to protect the habitat.
The new sea snail Volutopsius scotiae and clam Thyasira scotiae have been named after the research vessel MRV Scotia.
The sea snails were discovered over an area at depths of up to one mile (1.6km).
Another clam, Isorropodon mackayi, was named after mollusc expert David Mackay.
The new species of marine worm Antonbrunnia has still to be named. It is currently being examined at the National Museum Wales.
The worm was discovered by Dr Graham Oliver inside one of the clams he was confirming as a new species at his laboratory at the museum.
Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said it was surprising how the creatures had eluded scientists until now.
He said: “Our oceans are often called Earth’s final frontier and these new species prove just how much we still have to learn about this rich marine habitat.”
Mr Lochhead added: “The area where these species were found is not currently fished and the confirmation of a cold seep is likely to result in the region being closed to bottom contact fishing.”
Jim Drewery, from Marine Scotland Science, oversaw the research on the deep water invertebrates.
He said: “The discovery of these new species is absolutely incredible, especially when you consider that the sea snail measures a relatively large 10cm yet has gone undetected for decades.”
WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said: “These surveys highlight that we’ve still so much to learn when it comes to life beneath the waves.
“Perhaps only in Scotland would you find people getting excited about something known as a ‘cold seep’.
“However, if true, then it is no less important a discovery as the much better known hydrothermal vents, found in other parts of the world. They would give us a unique opportunity to observe some species unlikely to be found anywhere else on the planet.”
Rockall is a rock in the North Atlantic just 30m (100ft) wide and 21m (70ft) high.
Its remoteness and size attracts adventurers.
