Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2023
875. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has considered the introduction of virtual reality/augmented reality headsets in colleges throughout Ireland, in a similar fashion to Poland which is planning to introduce the technology in order to create a more personalised learning environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33931/23]
View answerHigher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997, the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006, and the Technological Universities Act 2018 as appropriate.
As autonomous bodies they are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs. This includes the management of academic affairs relating to the type and method of delivery of course provision, where not otherwise legislatively prescribed, and the introduction of new teaching approaches and technologies. Higher education institutions therefore retain the right to determine their own policies and procedures in this context. As such, neither I as Minister nor my Department have any function in this regard
While the use of cutting edge technology has many advantages for the student, similarly the experiencing of student life and inter-personal teaching and learning including in a group setting and the acquisition of interactive and transversal skills, too, are important facets of a rounded higher education experience.
