Short news Stories

Clare Herbert,

British Students predict their futures

The British equivalent to the CAO, UCAS, recently surveyed 54,240 of their applicants on the impact which technology will have on their futures.
75% expect to be talking to their computers, rather than typing, while 44% think that computers will be more intelligent than humans. One in eight young people expect virtual reality holidays to be popular. Two-thirds of students are also predicting that oil will have run out and more than half foresee a war over access to water, within a 25 year period. 47% reckon that smoking will also have been banned.

75% value central role of faith in college

A recent survey has revealed that more than 75% of students want their third level institutions to make provisions for people's faith needs. Retention rates, motivation and achievement levels improve in a faith-friendly college, the study found. Students specifically requested that colleges forge a culture of tolerance and respect, observe different religious festivals and calendars and cater for special diets.


UL AND UCC GET NEW PRESIDENTS

Prof Don Barry, the University of Limerick's vice-president and registrar, was “genuinely honoured” to be appointed President of the UL. A Corkonian, Prof Barry has a statistics PhD and has extensive experience as both a teacher and researcher. UCC latest Commander-in-Chief has had a more controversial ascension. Following something of a civil war between rival academic factions, Michael Murphy has been appointed President.

UCD students hack results

Several UCD Students (roughly 10-12 according to UCDSU education officer Brian Doyle) recently accessed their provisional exam results by locating the college’s restricted web address. The results, which were due for publication the following week, could not be altered however, as it is a password protected site. It is thought unlikely that the students will face disciplinary action.

Dundalk IT Parking Protest A Success

Dundalk IT Students’ Union’s recent demonstration in protest at a proposed ban on student parking was successful. Management has now agreed that 100 parking spaces will be assigned for student-only use, with negotiations to continue on an overall parking policy. DKIT Students’ Union President, Niall Callery described the proposed ban as “unreasonable to both commuter students who depend on their cars as a lifeline, and to local residents who feared possible disruption.”

IADT launch depression awareness resources

Education Minister Mary Hanifan recently launched IADT Dún Laoghaire’s depression awareness resource to address the issue of rising suicide numbers. It is predicted that by 2020 depression is expected to be the highest ranking cause of disease in the developed world. IADT Students’ Union Welfare Officer Sinéad O’Loughlin hopes that the programme will “tackle the dangerous stigma surrounding depression, while simultaneously highlighting available support and raising awareness about prevention.

13,000 college places left unfilled.

The USI recently called for students from all backgrounds to submit applications to the CAO, following the release of HEA figures showing that 13,000 college applications were left vacant in 2005. Individuals, particularly those from non-traditional backgrounds are being encouraged to visit the Qualifax website (www.qualifax.ie) to consider their options.

Shop to your degreeTesco shoppers can now exchange loyalty card points for a university degree, in a partnership between the Open University and Tesco which sees college fees partially paid by points earned. For every £10 of vouchers, British shoppers will receive £40 towards the cost of their OU course. The scheme hopes to prevent mounting student debt problems, and encourage prospective students that education is achievable.

Role of Wikipedia in Academia Questionned

The technological revolution in education has prompted calls for clear protocols to b be established. Academics are currently considering whether Wikipedia can justifiably be quoted as an authoritative source on students’ work. The Google Book Search Library Project, which indexes the accumulated knowledge in five of the world’s biggest libraries, is soon due to open. Bill Gates will also launch his Palm Pilot-sized 'tablet', linking the students to every textbook in every subject that they could conceivably need in the coming years.


Rock The Vote reaches Irish Shores

The Rock the Vote model for encouraging political engagement and participation among young people is set to be launched in Ireland, in advance of the forthcoming general election. The project’s chief supporter, TCD Graduate Paddy Cosgrave, is confident of launching an “enormous, non-partisan, nationwide campaign to mobilize young people to get out and vote in the 2007 general election".

Cosgrave is keen to stress that the campaign is not interested in party politics, and is completely independent of any sector in Irish politics. Rather than canvassing for specific parties, interested young people will canvas their peers highlighting the importance and relevance of their vote.

The campaign, which is due for official launch on April 2nd, aims to increase voter turnout by 100,000 votes which could potentially have a substantial impact on election results in several key constituencies.
Research has indicated that it costs roughly €7 to mobilize each voter, meaning the programme is set to incur substantial costs. Financial backing is currently sourced from one chief donor, although there are plans to expand this network of donors as well as fundraising independently.
Comedian Des Bishop, who mentioned the idea during a recent special youth edition of ‘Questions and Answers’, is suspected of involvement. High profile figures from Irish musical and sporting life are also expected to feature strongly in the campaign. The US and British models successfully used celebrity endorsements from stars such as Bruce Springsteen, Lenny Kravitz, the Black Eyed Peas and the Dixie Chicks.

Rock the vote are currently hiring a substantial team of paid staff to engage in communications, research, co-ordinating and directing. Further information is available on www.rockthevote.ie.