[…]fees. The decision taken in Budget 2014 to impose a new pro-rata Student Contribution fee and for SOLAS to cease making payment to the Institutes of Technology of 70% of the fee is a burden on student apprentices. The decision should be reversed in order to foster the growth of apprenticeships and reach targets set out by the Department of Education and Skills . Institutes of Technology levied the student contribution in respect of apprentices since 2004, with FÁS and SOLAS paying up to 70% of the contribution and apprentices paying the remainder before the introduction of the new pro-rata Student Contribution […]
[…]scholarship, as well as applied research. We need a system that allows all stakeholders to come together across STEM subjects, the humanities, arts and social sciences, to drive a research ecosystem which is better, more equitable and more accountable to all stakeholders and not just a few in power. We have strong concerns that the Bill does not adequately protect academic autonomy, parity of esteem and the working conditions of researchers and open research. USI recommends amending the Bill to include an independent review and evaluation of the work of the research and innovation agency every five years, with regular […]
[…]of students in that area. Today, the Hall that accommodates 1,000 students is well integrated into community and offers student housing in a convenient location. Diverse and well-balanced local communities have a great potential for regeneration, civic activities and engagement.’ The Union noted that with the integrated national approach to student accommodation reflected in regional policies, both Councils and An Bord Pleanála have been equipped with tools to ensure balanced development of the communities and take a strategic approach to spatial distribution and concentration of particular social groups, particularly students, who are particularly vulnerable group facing the housing crisis. The […]
[…]The Student Switch Off uses prize incentives such as tickets to Students’ Union nights out and communal parties and focuses on peer-to-peer communication and creating a sense of competition to provide incentives that go beyond just being more ‘environmentally friendly’. In the last academic year (2015/16) the first Student Switch Off, the campaign achieved a 6.6% reduction in electricity usage on average across all the participating halls of residence – keeping over 1,800 tonnes of CO2 out of the atmosphere. It’s very important to us that our campaign reaches beyond the usual green suspects. We aim to get even the […]
