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PResident's RePORt 2009/2010 - University College Cork

PResident's RePORt 2009/2010 - University College Cork

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Foreword<br />

UCC at a Glance<br />

Academic Developments<br />

Teaching and Learning<br />

Research<br />

<strong>College</strong> Reports:<br />

Arts, Celtic<br />

Studies and Social<br />

Sciences<br />

Business and Law<br />

Medicine and Health<br />

Science, Engineering and<br />

Food Science<br />

Events<br />

Student Experience<br />

Sports and Recreation<br />

Buildings and Estates<br />

<strong>Cork</strong> <strong>University</strong> Press<br />

Finance<br />

Governing Body<br />

IRIS Appendix<br />

64<br />

Student Experience<br />

Significant strides were made in the ongoing initiatives to enhance<br />

the quality of the student experience available to individuals who<br />

have chosen to study at UCC. A synopsis of developments in<br />

the area of student support services are as follows:<br />

CAO Admissions<br />

• 6,189 students selected UCC as their first preference through<br />

the CAO (March <strong>2010</strong>) despite increasing competition from<br />

other HEIs.<br />

• 24 per cent of the elite cohort of students, nationally, who<br />

achieved 600 points in their leaving-certificate exams chose<br />

to study at UCC.<br />

• 15 per cent (700) of new admissions presenting with at least<br />

500 points.<br />

Graduate Studies<br />

• PhD numbers increased to 1,158, passing the 1,000 mark for<br />

the first time.<br />

• The inaugural doctoral showcase recognised the research<br />

achievements of UCC’s doctoral research community and<br />

gave a unique opportunity to communicate their research to<br />

a non-specialist audience. The event encouraged prospective<br />

employers to get a flavour of the wide range of research<br />

currently being undertaken at UCC. The showcase was the<br />

first of its kind in an Irish university (June <strong>2010</strong>).<br />

• The Boolean: Snapshots of Doctoral Research at <strong>University</strong><br />

<strong>College</strong> <strong>Cork</strong>, an online postgraduate student journal features<br />

short articles by doctoral students describing their research<br />

to non-specialist audiences. The first volume of the journal<br />

contained 37 articles from doctoral students across UCC.<br />

Click here for more information<br />

• 150 students attended ‘Surviving the Viva’ workshops,<br />

organised for doctoral students who were close to submission<br />

and preparing for their viva voce<br />

• A policy on progress reviews for research students was<br />

developed by the Academic Council Graduate Studies<br />

Committee and approved by Academic Council. The policy<br />

will be available to all new research students in <strong>2010</strong>/2011.<br />

• A new code of practice for research students was developed<br />

by the Academic Council Graduate Studies Committee and<br />

approved by Academic Council. The code applies to all new<br />

research students.<br />

• A policy on conducting a viva voce by video-conferencing was<br />

approved and implemented during <strong>2009</strong>/<strong>2010</strong>. This initiative<br />

minimised disruption to viva voce examinations during the<br />

volcanic ash and bad weather.<br />

• Models of joint supervision and supervisory teams were<br />

developed by the Academic Council Graduate Studies<br />

Committee and approved by Academic Council.<br />

All the above policies are available on the Graduate Studies<br />

website. Click here for more information<br />

International Education<br />

• 193 UCC students studied abroad during the <strong>2009</strong>/<strong>2010</strong><br />

academic year, an increase of 25 on the previous academic<br />

year.<br />

• New student exchange agreements were signed with Saint<br />

Mary’s <strong>University</strong>, Nova Scotia, Canada and Nanyang<br />

Technological <strong>University</strong>, Singapore.<br />

Access<br />

Disability Support Service (DSS)<br />

• 677 students were supported by the DSS <strong>2009</strong>/<strong>2010</strong>, an<br />

increase of 16 per cent on the previous year.<br />

• €80,000 funding from the Genio Foundation was secured<br />

for development of the Peer Mentor Support Programme for<br />

students with mental health difficulties. This unique initiative is<br />

a peer-led programme where second and third-year students,<br />

who live with mental health difficulties, work as mentors to offer<br />

support to first-year students with mental health difficulties<br />

cope with transition to college.<br />

• UCC had the highest number of blind and vision impaired<br />

students in Ireland in <strong>2009</strong>/<strong>2010</strong>. The DSS held a workshop<br />

in October <strong>2010</strong> to introduce the use of BRAILLE to blind<br />

students. Most of the group will now pursue an accredited<br />

BRAILLE training programme facilitated by Linda Doran,<br />

Assistive Technology Officer at the DSS.<br />

• Training in Read and Write Software (that aids dyslexic students)<br />

was delivered by DSS staff to 20 primary and second-level<br />

teachers (December <strong>2010</strong>).

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