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• ANIC Activities Background Briefing In order to keep Northern Ireland's political parties up to date with the progress of the FE Means Business programme, ANIC held a background briefing on Friday 1 December which was attended by the main parties as well as a number of stakeholder organisations such as CBI, the General Consumer Council and the Federation of Small Businesses. The event provided the opportunity for direct dialogue with these organisations who were all very vocal of their support for the FE Sector and the work it does for learners and businesses throughout Northern Ireland. FE Means Business Website In order to facilitate access to information on the current review of the further education sector, ANIC has developed a dedicated website which will provide updates on the FE Means Business Programme, with access to relevant documentation. The Secret of my Success at UBI Renowned business person and motivation guru Gerry Faloona recently spoke to representatives from local companies at Upper Bann Institute's Business Club, telling them that the secret to success is to believe in yourself and realise your goals. Gerry, who set up business ‘Essential Training Experiences' has a wealth of business experience and a background in comedy, so its no surprise that he is one of the most requested speakers on the circuit. He talked on the evening to attendees about how to motivate themselves into achieving event greater results and presented a no-nonsense and hard hitting look at the type of person required to succeed in business. Launched in February 2005, the aims of the Business Club are to provide a monthly networking platform for SMEs, to form productive relationships and to offer business support. Currently membership of the Business Club offers a free Training Needs Analysis, discounted customised training, as well as the opportunity for member companies to host their own events. The next Business Club meeting will be held on Thursday25 January. Guest speaker will be Monica McGeary of IMM (Integrated Marketing Management) who will be presenting “Marketing You Can Do For Yourself”. If you are interested in attending please contact Ciara Turley on T: 028 3839 7842.
Upper Bann Institute student Maaike Annegarn has recently been awarded ‘Highly Commended' in the International Kentmere Student and Open Photo Awards 2006. Maaike who hails from Holland but currently lives in Banbridge, studies HND Photography and Digital Imaging at UBI's Lurgan Campus. The Kentmere Student & Open Awards have been an outstanding success over many years and it is perhaps one of the longest running competitions of its type in the UK . Judges this year were Annabel Williams - Internationally Renowned Creative Photographer and Garry Hume – Sales & Marketing Director of Kentmere Photographic Ltd. In the letter to Maaike to confirm her place of Highly Commended, Garry Hume noted; “Whilst Highly Commended does not carry a cash prize, we felt your image was of such a high standard that it merited recognition. With almost 1,000 entries [in your category] you will be confident that your image was of a similar standard to the winning entries… We thank you for your interest and trust that the prestige gained will assist in your career”. To view Maaike's winning entry click here To view her other photography work click here to visit her website.
NVQ Level 2 and 3 Administration students from UBI's Lurgan campus recently presented a cheque for over £600 to David McKerr and Jerry Carr from Cancer Research NI. The students raised the money from a street collection and a collection within the Lurgan campus. Armagh College has been awarded one of the 22 prestigious UK wide Beacon Awards outshining competition from over 300 entries. Armagh College was awarded the top prize in the Churches sponsored Award for College Partnerships to Support Students' Development as a Whole People for its outstanding work and contribution to the Further Education sector. Actress and writer Meera Syal announced the local college's win at the national AoC Annual Conference in Birmingham.
Mr Paul Little, Director and Chief Executive of Armagh College, recently visited South Africa on a trade mission to build strategic partnerships and alliances between the FET (Further Education Training) sector in South Africa , and the Further and Higher Education sector in the United Kingdom . Mr Little along with a representative from the British Counsel met with the Deputy President of South Africa 's economic adviser and the Deputy Director General of the FET division in the National Department of Education.
The Belfast Institute held its 2006 Higher Education Graduation Ceremonies once again at the Spires Conference Centre, Fisherwick Place , Belfast . At the three ceremonies approximately 1,000 students graduated from a wide range of degree, Higher National Awards and Professional programmes across seven academic departments. The Guests of Honour at each of the ceremonies included Mrs Eleanor Gill (Chief Executive of the Consumer Council), Professor Peter Gregson (President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen's University, Belfast ), and Mr Thomas Goodrow (Vice-President of Springfield Technical Community College, USA) The Institute presented distinguished awards to individuals who were deemed to have made a significant contribution to the life of the citizens of Belfast and beyond. The recipients for 2006 were Dr. David Humphreys MBE (Former Ireland and current Ulster Rugby Football Out-Half), Ms Lynda Bryans (Television and Radio Presenter) and Mr Owen Lamont (Chief Executive of Stirk Lamont Associates).
Castlereagh College has teamed up with Cinemagic and hosted their Talent Labs for the 2006 Film Festival which launched on 21 September at the Odyssey Pavilion, Belfast . Cinemagic presented the talent lab at Castlereagh College on Thursday 30 November and Friday 1 December. Over one hundred people attended the masterclasses over the period of the two days. Masterclasses were held in all areas of film making from directing, scriptwriting and acting to production and cinematography. One of the most influential speakers was Dermot O'Leary who led a group of fifteen people through the ins and outs of television presenting. Sally Lindsay, who played ‘Shelley' in ‘ Coronation Street ' led a two day acting masterclass. Other speakers included actor Liam Cunningham, filmmaker and writer Martin Duffy and film producer David Thompson. A short film was created by those attending the masterclasses which was produced and screened on the closing night of the Cinemagic Film Festival on Sunday 3 December at the Waterfront Hall.
Castlereagh College will celebrate the achievements of students on Tuesday 12 December 2006 at the college's Annual Awards Ceremony. The guest speaker at the event will be Mr Pete Boyle, Business Entrepreneur for the Argento retail chain.
The Clarion Hotel, Carrickfergus, was the venue for East Antrim Institute's 2006 Higher Education Graduation ceremony. More than one hundred students from East Antrim, Belfast , across the Province, and as far away as Dublin , received a range of awards indicating the Institute's excellent and far-reaching reputation. Both full-time and part-time students received awards, ranging from Foundation Degree Level, Higher National Diplomas and Certificates to Professional and Vocational Certificates.
The EDGE Programme is the first joint project to be carried out between Newry Institute, Armagh College and Upper Bann Institute. It aims to encourage and empower women to become more entrepreneurial and innovative by developing their skills and capabilities with a view to entering self employment. EDGE will also encourage females currently working within the small business sector to develop their management skills in order to advance into new roles as managers/innovators. Training will include ILM Introductory Certificates in Start Your Own Business and in First Line Management. Training will also be provided in BCS Level 1 (3 modules of ECDL). There will be information sessions on EDGE on the following dates:
These sessions will provide more information on the programme including a timetable of training. Contact Tracy Rice, EDGE Co-ordinator, to book a place at an information session or for further details on the programme. Tel: 028 3025 9706 or email ricet@nkifhe.ac.uk Michelle Goss, a former full time HND Business & Finance student at Newry Institute has recently passed her final accountancy exams. After completing her HND at Newry, Michelle completed her degree in Accountancy full time at the University of Ulster then progressed to her professional exams. Michelle will now join the family accountancy practice Michael Goss & Co (incorporating MG Oils) as a Chartered Accountant (ACA). Charity Begins at Newry Institute Newry Institute presents a Charity evening of Wine Tasting, Christmas food demonstration and delicious buffet in aid of Newry and Mourne Down Syndrome Association Wednesday 6th December at 7.00pm Tickets cost £15 and are available from the Catering Office in the East Campus, Newry Institute. Contact Roisin Murray-Gibbons or Eileen Mc Court on 028 3025 9611.
Employment and Learning Minister Maria Eagle MP recently visited the North East Institute to help celebrate successful cross border and local partnerships between Industry and Education. The main focus of this event was the recognition of the technology based RIM 21 Project (Robotics and Integrated Manufacture for the 21 st Century). This joint initiative between the North East Institute and the Institute of Technology Sligo secured the funding by INTERREG IIIA programme valued at more than £1.5 million and administered by ICBAN.
Staff and students from the Built Environment section of North West Institute attended a very insightful seminar recently on the proposed developments of the Foyle Waterfront area in Derry City . Colm Cavanagh, Managing Director Foyle Waterfront, McCormick Properties PLC, was on hand to outline the proposals which are planned for the development. Mr Cavanagh also discussed the economic, urban and design challenges which are facing the North West region, and highlighted the Waterfront Development plans as a response to these. The seminar included a visual presentation of the Foyle Waterfront from 1966 to the present day, and question and answer sessions were conducted between the staff and the students and the invited guests. This was another event organised by the Centre of Excellence in Built Environment at North West Institute. Events Diary In January 2007 Bulgaria and Romania will join the expanding EU market. This half day conference will highlight key investment and trade opportunities in Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary. Delegates will learn from experts in key sectors including: construction; infrastructure & energy; ICT; creative industries; education & training; business services. Delegates can also benefit from one to one advice sessions and networking with experts on investment and trade. The conference will take place on Thursday 7th December 2006 from 9.30am–1pm in the Holiday Inn, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast. To register e-mail rita.mccaughey@noribic.com or telephone 028 71264242.
St. Mary's University College, Belfast will be holding its second national literacy conference on Friday 1st December 2006. This exciting event is entitled 'Creating Writers'. The programme includes a range of speakers including Eve Bearne, Cambridge Univeristy; Carlo Gebler, award-winning author, film maker, producer; Trinka Messinheimer, Bowling Green State University , Ohio , USA ; David Park, renowned author. For details and information contact Donna Murray on d.murray@stmarys-belfast.ac.uk
Calling All Undiscovered Quiz Talent BBC1 is making the biggest quiz show ever with a guaranteed six-figure prize sum. The People's Quiz 2007 is a brand new Saturday night show and BBC is looking for people aged 16 and over and abilities to take part. Open auditions will be held across the UK from the beginning of January in locations including Belfast . To find out more and guarantee your place at auditions, email contestants@uhfevermedia.co.uk or call 0845 3453484 for an application form. LSDA Conference Report Available LSDA's NI Essential Skills Numeracy/Maths Conference took place on Friday, 17th November 2006. The day was a great success w ith some delegates describing it as as the best staff development day they had attended. Click on more and go to the News Section.
The government recently published the Further Education and Training Bill, designed to give colleges in England and Wales degree-awarding powers.
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