Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2021
463. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he remains satisfied that third and fourth level education here have adequate access to research as a means of determining future qualifications and standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59062/21]
View answerInternational competition for talent, investment and innovation grows more intense as nations strive to improve their standing as knowledge based economies. The establishment of a new Department focused on talent and knowledge is an indication of the Government’s intent to position human capital and research as key enablers for our future economy and society.
There are a number of key strategies in place at all levels to ensure we meet existing and future skills demands. These include policies designed to ensure a pipeline of suitably qualified science and technical graduates, and initiatives to equip young people and the working population more generally with the skills and capacity to meet these demands. These strategies and initiatives include: the National Skills Strategy 2025; Technology Skills 2022; Springboard+; the Human Capital Initiative and the July Stimulus package.
Postgraduate education delivered by higher education institutions is critical to Ireland’s research system. In addition to contributing to knowledge, postgraduate researcher education drives participants to develop their own research and innovation skills that can be applied in a range of environments, in academia or industry, at home or abroad.
Launched in 2015, the National Framework for Doctoral Education underpins the drive for quality and consistency in the doctoral education experience across Ireland. It has four main objectives:
- Facilitate consistent excellence in the quality of postgraduate education and training, including research undertaken at Master’s and doctoral levels;
- Enable and encourage higher education institutions to work more closely in the delivery of an improved learner-experience and outcome;
- Maximise the employability of doctoral graduates across a broad range of employment sectors by ensuring that the acquisition of discipline-specific knowledge is complemented by the development of transferable skills;
- Underpin the international standing of the Irish doctoral award.
Advancement of the Framework is supported by the National Advisory Forum that is co-chaired by the HEA and QQI and whose membership includes all HEIs and research funders. The Framework sets out nine principles underpinning doctoral education in Ireland, to which the Forum members have all committed.
A priority for this Government is to support business, invest in the development of people and to enhance skills and develop and attract talent to ensure our education and training system is responsive to enterprise needs. We must ensure that we have accessible upskilling options and that our education and training providers offer relevant and up-to-date courses which meet the needs of enterprises and workers.
Higher Education institutions are constantly reviewing and updating their course curriculum in collaboration with enterprise to ensure that undergraduate and taught postgraduate course content is reflecting emerging trends in the future world of work and industry.
