National University of Ireland, Galway
Review Programme 2010/2011
Action Plan
Adult and Continuing Education
Follow-up meeting held on Monday, 30th May at 2.30 p.m. in Alexander Anderson Boardroom (QA113)
Present
Representing Adult Education: Mr S O’Grady, Ms N McGuinn, Ms I Byrne, Ms H C asey, Ms A Walsh
From Review Group: Dr T Hall (Coordinator)
From NUI Galway: Dr D O’Sullivan (Chair), Mr M Kavanagh (Secretary for Academic Affairs), Mr K Warnock
(VP for Capital Projects), Ms C Loughnane (Director of Marketing and Communication), Ms M Linnane
(Quality Office)
Apologies
Dr E Herring, Prof N Mac Congáil (Registrar)
Actions for Unit
1. Director to streamline the activities and internal structures, in the context of Academic Simplification
and developing staff potential.
2. Locate all Adult and Continuing Education staff and activities in suitable accommodation in the
current year.
3. Create fora for all staff to meet and work together to enhance coordination, integration and
collaboration.
4. Continue to align academic procedures of the Unit which are cognisant with the University’s current
and emerging academic Learning, Teaching and Assessment strategy.
5. Facilitate rationalisation of services for non-traditional students in collaboration with other
University services, practices and procedures where appropriate and flexible for non-traditional
students.
6. Review contractual arrangements and job roles and responsibilities of staff in close cooperation with
the Registrar, Director of Human Resources and other senior University management.
7. Enhance communication, promotion and visibility of programmes in collaboration with the Director
of Marketing and Communications.
8. Develop more embedded relationships with other academic units in implementing University
regional development priorities in line with the University Strategic plan.
9. Cooperate with CELT and CKI, School of Education and Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge,
particularly around single-points of contact for schools, civic, and community and educational
partners.
10. Continue to lead and explore opportunities with UL Alliance partners to deliver more extensive
programme offerings.
11. Develop a business and strategic plan that supports both community engagement and the income
generative programmes.
12. Continue to develop, in cooperation with appropriate University Schools and the Technology
Transfer Office, programmes and activities with local businesses and enterprises which respond to
the training needs required to sustain jobs across the region.
13. Review programme range, credits, exemptions offered and accreditation of prior learning
procedures with a view to increasing programme flexibility and enhancing learning opportunities for
new students.
14. Seek professional accreditation of selected programmes, where appropriate.
15. Incorporate active research agenda and projects into future development plans of Unit.
Actions for University
1. Registrar will address ways in which to mainstream and resource successful innovations such as the
Living Scenes Intergenerational Programme in close cooperation with the Unit.
2. Registrar will present proposals to UMT related to potential use €1m of philanthropic funding in
support of Access/Adult and Continuing Education programmes.
3. VP for Capital Projects will bring distributed, diverse units within Adult and Continuing Education
together in one physical space, centrally located within the current year. This project will also be
included in the next phase of the capital development project.
4. Registrar has established a review group to advise on the appointment of a new Director for the
unit. The review group will also be asked to take into account the current Quality Review report.
5. Secretary for Academic Affairs in conjunction with the Registrar will address current issues
surrounding employment and remuneration of part-time staff and discuss new ways to recognise
and incentivise staff who make a sustained commitment to Adult and Continuing Education
6. Executive Director of Operations in conjunction with the Bursar will examine ways to facilitate
flexible fee-payment methods and modular registration options for students to encourage
continuing professional development and lifelong learning opportunities for non-traditional
students.
Approved by:
Registrar, Prof Nollaig Mac Congáil
Head of Office, Mr Seamus O’Grady
Director of Quality, Dr David O’Sullivan
Finalised: 14th June 2011