PResident's RePORt 2009/2010 - University College Cork
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>).