The Minister for Education and Science, Mr. Michael Woods, T.D. launched the designate National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI) on November 10, 2000. This body has a brief to regulate education and training qualifications in Ireland in all higher-level institutions outside of the seven existing universities and DIT. This includes the development of a framework of qualifications and standards and incorporates a brief to develop structures to accommodate credit transfer and progression. It is chaired by Mr. Richard Langford, CEO City of Cork VEC and includes ten members representing a range of interests in higher education in Ireland. The NQAI encompasses a Higher Education and Training Awards Council, to be chaired by Prof. Ciarán Murphy, UCC and a Further Education and Training Awards Council, to be chaired by Professor Joyce O’Connor, NCI. Jacqui O’Riordan
Table of Contents of Newsletter 10