This project, which is a Joint Access Initiative of UCC and CIT, aims to increase access and widening participation in the region, promote good practice and utilise evidence based data.
There was an illustrious panel of key note speakers over the two days and the 130 delegates warmly received their speeches about key issues concerning access and widening participation such as:
Accessing higher education? - the importance of early intervention (Professor
Aine Hyland)
Developing a social inclusive education system to improve retention and
success (Professor Liz Thomas)
Moving from access to engagement (
Professor Stuart
Billingham)
Equity in a time of crisis - choices & challenges (Marion Coy)
The many facets of disadvantage in higher education (Bahram
Bekhradnia)
Exploring connections from a national perspective (
Peter
Brown)
This was supplemented by 20 paper sessions held in four blocks where 45 presenters talked about the initiatives and research carried out by third level institutions, further education colleges and community groups in tackling disadvantage and promoting equity and access to education. There was lively discussion during these sessions and much was learned in the good practice developed from running these initiatives.
The conference was officially opened by Dr Michael Murphy, President UCC and Dr Barry O'Connor Registrar & Vice President for Academic Affairs, CIT. The delegates were welcomed to CIT by Dr Brendan Murphy, President CIT with a follow up address by Mr Con O'Brien Vice President for the Student Experience, UCC.
Picture: Dr Denis Staunton, Director of Access, UCC and Professor Aine Hyland, former Professor of Education and Vice-President, UCC.
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