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• ANIC Activities ANIC's Leonardo Da Vinci Project Kicks Off A new project to help prepare students better for the software industry has just kicked off, funded by the European Union's Leonardo da Vinci programme. The project, led by ANIC, involves the three Northern Ireland Centres of Excellence in Software Engineering; North West Institute, Belfast Institute and North Down & Ards Institute, along with partners from Cyprus, Italy and the Republic of Ireland. Colleges in each of these areas will be working with industry trade bodies to identify case studies of best practice in software development projects in industry, which can then be developed into multi-media learning materials for use in software engineering curricula. The result will be that students get exposure to much more relevant, current industry practice and so will be much more attractive to potential employers. For further information contact Dr Gary Burnett on gary.burnett@anic.ac.uk
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. Armagh College recommended for European Foundation for Quality Management Gold Award Armagh College has been recommended to receive the prestigious Gold Award from the European Foundation for Quality Management. This award is based on continuing work over the last three years in improving quality, staff and student needs and meeting the learning needs of the community. The programme has three levels of recognition; Bronze, Silver and Gold. Armagh College achieved the bronze award in 2004. Following this recognition, the college implemented a development programme which has resulted in the achievement of the prestigious gold award. Armagh College is the only College of Further and Higher Education in Northern Ireland to have followed the Public Sector Steps to Excellence programme and been recommended for the Gold Award. Fermanagh Dominates Football Tournaments The Fermanagh College Girls Gaelic Team has recently won the inaugural Ulster Colleges and Universities 7's Competition in Cookstown. The girls beat UU Magee and QUB to get out of their pool, UU Coleraine in the semi and UU Jordanstown in the final. The Boys' Soccer Team won their league semi final yesterday against GMIT Castlebar and are successfully through to the Division 1 All-Ireland League Final in February. They play the Cork College of Commerce in the final.
The Fermanagh College Student Achievement Awards ceremony was held in the Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen on Monday 11 th December. This was the last Fermanagh College awards event to take place before the college merges with Omagh and East Tyrone Colleges next year.
Fermanagh College Performing Arts students recently staged an excellent public performance of their own creation called ‘Home' featuring acting, music and dance. This was the first performance for this group which began their studies in September and they will perform again for college staff on Friday 22 nd December. Meanwhile, Year 2 Business students at Fermanagh College as part of their BTEC National Diploma course ‘Managing An Event/ Project' Module, are organising a Charity Event on Thursday 14 December 2006 in the Fermanagh College foyer between 10.00 am – 8.00 pm. The Event, which will be assisted on the day by a representative from Marie Curie, will include a Bring and Buy Sale and a Raffle of vouchers and a Hamper. Many businesses have kindly donated a variety of gifts and vouchers, including Fermanagh College Hairdressing section (£30 voucher) and Catering section (puddings and mince pies). The proceeds raised will be donated to Marie Curie Cancer Care and the sick children in the Erne Hospital at Christmas and the event is open to the public and all support will be gratefully received.
The Hair & Beauty Academy at Limavady College recently held a very special pampering session. Members of the Roe Valley Residents Association at Keady Way came into the Academy for an afternoon of relaxation, thanks to Children in Need. The group were given funding by the charity to spend some time being treated to manicures, facials and hair styling, and chose to spend it in the College's new modern salons. Students from the Academy volunteered their time to provide the treatments for the group, who thoroughly enjoyed the experience, organised for them through the College's Centre for Lifelong Learning.
Senior members of both the academic and administration staff of North Down & Ards Institute have successfully completed the Better Management Programme. This bespoke programme was designed to support the team as they prepare for major changes within the Higher & Further Education Sector. North Down and Ards Institute Wins Rugby Competition The developed college's competition took place recently at Ballymena RFC, NDAI backed up their 7s performance in October with a dramatic extra time winner against Causeway. Causeway had taken the lead 10-5 in the final only for NDAI to equalise in the dying seconds. In extra time NDAI scored a golden try to snatch victory in a closely fought encounter. Newry Institute recently hosted a meeting of the Northern Ireland Skills Expert Group (SEG), made up of local and international experts in economic and skills forecasting. The group was established earlier this year, to make recommendations to the Department for Employment and Learning and other government departments and agencies, on matters affecting the Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland. The Expert Group for Future Skills Needs has a very similar role in the Republic of Ireland , where it has been operating very successfully for over nine years. The two groups are keen to work together to explore the opportunities for all island collaboration in relation to research, policy development and potential cross-border collaboration. Institute Director Dr Raymond Mullan gave a presentation on the work of Newry Institute in driving economic and workforce development in Northern Ireland andhow the FE colleges raise skills and qualifications levels in the areas that meet the needs of the local and regional economy by ensuring that curriculum provision is focused on economic and workforce needs. Legal Eagle Drops in on NEI Law Students Students from the North East Institute in Ballymena were fortunate to have Jim Alistair MEP as a guest speaker to their AS Law class this week. This course is delivered as part of the Vocational Enhancement Programme which aims to provide students with the opportunity to learn outside the traditional academic curriculum and gain a valuable qualification . The purpose of this visit was to talk to students about the experiences of studying Law and working in the legal environment. Jim spoke to the students about his career to date, firstly on qualifying as a barrister, his experience of becoming a QC and the legal work surrounding his clients. During his speech he encouraged students to consider Law as a career and the valuable contribution its makes to society. Students found their discussion with Jim extremely beneficial as they heard first hand what such a distinguished legal professional had to say about his career. Students can now relate the theory they have learned through this programme to the practical experiences of their course. Princes Trust Students are Commended at Final NEI Presentation Students from the North East Institute who have participated in the first pilot Princes Trust scheme have been highly commended at an awards ceremony and presentation. The students have undertaken a twelve week Personal Development Programme which involves completing a week long outdoor pursuit residential, a community project, eight days work experience and a team challenge.
Upper Bann Institute students recently got a taste of what it's like to run their own business when a group of advisors from Craigavon Industrial Development Organisation (CIDO) visited the Lurgan campus and presented to the students. Louise Cushnahan from CIDO give students valuable advice on how to start their own business, the work that CIDO does to support new start ups and how students could go about applying for resources to start their own businesses. Also speaking was guest speaker Damien Fegan, a local business start-up himself. The students got the opportunity to grill Damien on the ups and downs of running your own business from first hand experience.
Upper Bann Institute's 2nd Year BTEC National Diploma Media students recently held an exhibition of work on the Banbridge campus around the theme of ‘Under Surveillance'. The exhibition was organised, held and populated by the students from the National Diploma course in order to fulfil the criteria for the ‘Experimental Film and Video Installation' module of the course. One student's work was chosen as particularly thought provoking by staff. James Carragher from Gilford tells us that when he got the module theme; “…almost a million ideas came to mind…but I started to think about what kind of surveillance I was familiar with through work, education and every day life. The idea of Hitler and the Nazi's was the strongest image in my head”. James image shows a wooden box with a Swastika painted on it which he says represents a Nazi Surveillance Tower , and the colour represents the darkness and death of Nazi ideology. The 3 hangings represent the Jewish religion, the Nazi cult and the Nazi concentration camps. James also made use of a light box to shine light onto the towers so it was impossible to see inside. He says that this ‘added atmosphere' to his piece.
UBI is heavily committed to supporting a charity which highlights the hidden victims of road death and you too can make a pledge to say that you will drive safely from this Christmas until next Christmas. To make the pledge click on more. Events Diary Network Publishing and the Tribal Group is holding another seminar as part of a UK wide series which will explore key issues in the 14-19 sector, such as improving delivery, attendance and achievement. The seminars will promote the sharing of good practice and offer the chance to engage with experts, authors and colleagues within the sector. They will also address other national issues such as obesity, fitness, sexual health, drugs and alcohol awareness. The morning session ‘Addressing Key Skills Needs' begins at 10.30am and concludes at 12.30pm. Lunch is provided. The afternoon session – ‘Developing Outstanding Tutorial Provision' runs from 1.00pm and finishes at 3.30pm. The seminars are aimed at those responsible for key skills, tutorial and enrichment delivery, including heads of key skills, curriculum managers and heads of student support. For further information please contact Aideen Tighe at aideen.tighe@tribalgroup.co.uk The deadline for booking a place is Tuesday 19 December. To book, email: enquiries.np@tribalgroup.co.uk
LSDA Northern Ireland is seeking a Development Adviser to be a part of the Northern Ireland team and to take a lead role in supporting FE colleges in one or more of the following areas: Quality Improvement, Curriculum Development, Professional Development, Governor Training, Lecturers into Industry. 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.
A multi-million pound programme is being launched today by the Big Lottery Fund to help people across Northern Ireland live and learn better. The largest of the National Lottery Good Cause Distributors is making £18 million available under the Live and Learn programme to help people of all ages across Northern Ireland boost their learning opportunities and improve their health.
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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