DPR News
University College Cork signs Memorandum of Understanding with Kerry Education and Training Board
Today, UCC signed an agreement with Kerry Education and Training Board (Kerry ETB) that will see both institutions working together to enhance opportunities for and engagement in outdoor education and training at Cappanalea, The National Centre for Outdoor Education and Training, which is based at Oulagh West, Caragh Lake, Killorglin, Co. Kerry.
The National Centre for Outdoor Education and Training, with accommodation for 50 people is located on 57 acres on the side of Caragh Lake, with access to 120 more acres of wilderness and the wider beautiful countryside around the Centre, including the MacGillycuddy Reeks and Killarney National Park.
Speaking at the signing of the agreement, Mr. Brendan Griffin TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, complimented both Kerry ETB and UCC on their collaboration to promote Outdoor Education and Training and enhancing outdoor education and training opportunities. “This is a very important day, not only for the two educational institutions involved (Kerry ETB and UCC), but for everybody interested in the outdoors and the huge role that outdoor activities can play in education and, more generally, in society.”
Minister Griffin went on to say “At a time when outdoor activities and sports are seeing an enormous increase in participation (upwards of 25% per annum), it is important that we provide suitable education and training for our young people (and others) who wish to learn about the outdoors. I would hope that they might feel confident that they can partake in outdoor education and training activities both safely and enjoyably.”
“This agreement brings together the superb facilities and instructors in Kerry ETB’s Centre at Cappanalea with the various Departments in UCC that have a particular interest in the area of outdoor education and training. This includes the Sports Department, that covers all the clubs in UCC, together with all the other 23,000 students and 3,000 staff who may not partake in regular club activities but who may like to avail of some of the outdoor activities.”
“It also includes the School of Education – where future teachers (including physical education teachers) are educated and where research is also undertaken into education. With the new changes to the second-level educational curriculum, this development is very timely and will help ensure that the correct skills will be available to implement the curriculum.”
Prof John O’Halloran, Deputy President and Registrar, UCC, stated “UCC has one of the highest rates of student participation in sports clubs among Irish universities. This agreement is a natural extension, combining our passion for activity and our sporting knowledge with Cappanlea. We wish to thank Minister Griffin and Kerry ETB for their work on this agreement, for we believe this is will be a superb partnership for our students, the community and the local economy.”
For more on this story contact:
Marion O’Toole, Kerry ETB, Centrepoint, John Joe Sheehy Road, Tralee, Co. Kerry. 066-712-1488