Lifelong Learning in UCD
Progression Pathways Project
The Progression Pathways Project is one of the SIF-funded projects in the DRHEA Widening Participation Strand and is being led by Anna M. Kelly, UCD Access & Lifelong Learning on behalf of the DRHEA. The purpose of this project is to clarify access, transfer and progression opportunities within the DRHEA region for adult learners.
This Progression Pathways project comprises three phases:
Phase 1 - Mapping the current landscape - identifying current progression routes and barriers. This phase comprised an initial audit (mainly web sites) of existing progression routes to Universities and Institutes of Technology in the greater Dublin region. It also outlined a typology of mature student applicants and provided an overview of reported barriers to individual access, as well as interventions used to overcome barriers. ‘Progression Pathways Project Phase 1 Report’ (UCD, Fleming, 2010)
Phase 2 - Verification of mapping exercise and identification of innovative solutions. The purpose of this phase is to verify the output from Phase 1 and to clarifying the opportunities provided within the region for adult learners, as well as gathering examples of good practice and innovation. Focus groups were held in eight Higher Education Institutions, i.e. NUIM, ITB, DCU, ITT, TCD, UCD and IADT. ‘Progression Pathways Project Phase 2 Report’ (Kennedy, February 2011)
Phase 3 – Identification of key issues and strands of activity. The DRHEA Widening Participation Steering Group will consider the issues arising from both strands:
Flexible Part-Time Education: Market Research
UCD Access & Lifelong Learning has commissioned the UCD Marketing Development Programme at the Smurfit Business School to carry out research to investigate the part-time higher education market with a view to assisting the university in determining how best to expand its part-time education offering to suit this target market. This study will use both qualitative and qualitative research methods.
UCD Springboard Programme
UCD Access & Lifelong Learning, working closely with Professor Julie Berndsen, Deputy Registrar Graduate Studies, made a successful application to the HEA Springboard initiative (http://www.hea.ie/springboard). The Springboard Fund is intended to help unemployed people to remain as close as possible to the labour market by accessing part-time flexible higher education and training opportunities to upskill or reskill in areas where sustainable employment opportunities may arise as the economy recovers.
UCD Springboard comprises two programmes, i.e.
University/Graduate Certificate in Information & Communications TechnologyGraduate Certificate in Biopharmaceutical and Pharmachemical Sciences by Negotiated Learning
Further information can found at:
http://www.ucd.ie/graduatestudies/prospectivestudents/taughtprogrammes/springboard/
