TCD, DCU and NUI Maynooth collaborate on Postgraduate Skills Development

Posted on: 26 March 2007

On Friday, March 23^rd 2007   Trinity College ‘s Centre of Academic Practice and Student Learning (CAPSL) hosted an event together with their colleagues in NUI Maynooth and DCU focusing on the development of postgraduate skills.  The joint meeting was part of a collaborative HEA Strategic Initiatives funded project entitled ‘Career Development for Postgraduate Researchers’.

Ms Mary Kerr, Deputy Chief Executive of the HEA, was presented with the Summary Report, which outlines the current national context of postgraduate skills development and the common issues identified within the three institutions.

Following the presentation, attendees from across the disciplines in College and key role holders from the project partner institutions, and other Higher Education Institutions gathered to consider the core issues identified in the report. Discussions included the co-ordination and delivery of postgraduate skills provision, and issues relating to the level, accreditation and accessibility of skills provision.  Each group provided feedback from their discussions.

The event was closed by Dr. Conor O’Carroll, Assistant Director of Research Policy at the Irish Universities Association, who outlined the current developments within the IUA concerning 4^th level projects.

A small grants scheme was also launched during the event to fund new activities by academic staff to develop postgraduate skills and to enable inter-institutional collaborative projects. Further details on this scheme are available from capsl@tcd.ie.

CAPSL continue to work closely with the Graduate Studies Office, academic Schools and non-academic skills providers in College to embed postgraduate skills development opportunities. Details of recent and upcoming events, such as the Postgraduate Summer School, are available from the CAPSL website www.tcd.ie/capsl.