Does Ireland need a Minister for Higher Education and Research?
03 July 2015The Academy convened a workshop on the optimal governmental structure for higher education and research in Academy House on Friday 3 July. The purpose of this workshop was to investigate what is the most effective governmental structure for supporting the needs of Ireland’s higher education and research sectors.
The workshop offered a national and international perspective on the merits of the current and alternative governmental structures for higher education and research and posed the question ‘Does Ireland need a Minister for Higher Education and Research?’
Speakers included:
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Professor Brigid Laffan, MRIA, Chair of the Royal Irish Academy Steering Group on Governmental Structures for Higher Education and Research.
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Professor Jo Ritzen, International Institute of Labour Studies and former Minister for Education (Netherlands)
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Mr Thomas Estermann, Director for Governance, Funding and Public Policy Development, European University Association
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Mr Nick Hillman, Director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (UK) and former Special Advisor to David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science
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Professor Pat Clancy, University College Dublin.
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Cllr Mary Hanafin, former Minister for Education.
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Mr Ned Costello, Irish Universities Association