North East Further and Higher Education Alliance

Denis Cummins

Dundalk Institute of Technology

Aims1. To increase progression from Further Education Colleges to

Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT).

1. To support learner transition from further education to higher education through a range of initiatives both pre- and post-registration at DKIT

1. To provide mutual support and explore the use of shared services in areas such as promotion, recruitment, ICT services, library resources and access to specialist facilities at DKIT that are not available to the further education colleges

1. To promote the continuing professional development of staff of all the members institutes

Members

Coiste Gairmoideachais Chontae LúO’Fiaich College

Scope

1. Develop collectively ‘College experience’ opportunities such as shadowing, use of facilities, student and staff liaison with FE, staff exchange and shadowing

1. Co-ordinate and collaborate on curriculum development to support student transition and progression

1. Guarantee progression routes from FE to participating IoTs, while recognising that this may not be possible for all programmes

1. Identify expertise and supports that could be shared between FE & HE Institutions that support student learning, retention and progression. This would include learner assessment, targeted learning support, shared services such as ICT, Library & E-Learning

1. Develop collaboratively a Pre Entry to College Module, which will be run in each FE College, as a prerequisite for entry into an IoT and which addresses ‘known’ key issues/skills/competencies.

Values

• Spirit of partnership/co-operation (mutually supportive) to underpin the work

• Progression/welfare of the students should be

central and govern all we do

• Try to work towards consensus. Look for compromise/adjustments where conflict may arise e.g. in Working Groups.

Working Groups

• Access Sub Group

• Business / Sport

• IT

• Caring Group

• Engineering and Science

• New Working Groups will emerge

Actions Achieved 2009

• 1st Annual Conference on Teaching and Learning on May 22, 2009

• Access courses funded by the Dormant Accounts Fund

• Advanced entry (year 2) to DKIT for FE students in Business, Computing, Science

• MA Teaching and Learning (developed)• Access to FE colleges to DKIT Staff

Development Programme

New Actions

• Collaboration on Services – ICT, Library

• New discipline development

• Aiming to provide Leadership in responding to our economic crisis

Strategic Importance of NEFHEA

Education is the gateway to multiple opportunities

NEFHEA works with, and in locations, where there are patterns of systemic unemployment, poverty and lack of opportunity

NEFHEA is a model for increasing access to education within the North East