Inside NCI February 2010 Issue 4
The magazine for friends of National College of Ireland
www.ncirl.ie
Graduation 2009 New Captain for NCI
Insight Debate Series Alumni News
News
Features
Interviews
President’s Welcome There is no point in having a great product that no-one knows about. At NCI we believe we have a great product – student care and student success are at the heart of what we do. We open doors to third-level education, doors that are still closed to far too many Irish people. There is no link whatsoever between social class and potential academic achievement. Ability is evenly distributed across the postal districts in Dublin and across Ireland. At NCI it’s our job to encourage students of all ages to come back into education and to achieve their potential. We also believe that education should prepare students for the real world – combining concepts, vocational skills and business ethics in a powerful cocktail.
Over the past 3 years, I’ve had the opportunity to be part of this great organisation. NCI changed my own life when I was here as a student in the early 1980s. I hope we’ve managed to stay true to the founding Jesuit values which made it such a powerful place to study then. I’ve met some brilliant people while I’ve been here and ‘Inside NCI’ is our way of communicating a flavour of what we do.
To all staff, students and supporters of the College, I say goodbye at the end of my own stint. I know that Dr. Phillip Matthews will take the College on to the next level of performance when he takes up the reins. Thank you for all the personal support. While education is a serious business, I hope we’ve also had a bit of fun along the way. The journey has been great. Best wishes,
Dr Paul Mooney President
EDITOR’S LETTER Welcome to the fourth edition of Inside NCI, your regular round-up of news, views and events from across National College of Ireland.
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It’s a time of change here at NCI as we say goodbye to president Paul Mooney, who has made such a significant contribution to the College. He’ll be sorely missed, but we’re pleased to welcome his successor, Dr. Phillip Matthews, and are excited about working with him. We’ve also made a few changes to the look and feel of the publication and to help us make it even better, drop us a line with your feedback to inside@ncirl.ie or write to: Emma Henderson National College of Ireland Mayor Square IFSC, Dublin 1.
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The next issue will be out in May 2010, but keep an eye on ncirl.ie for news and events happening between now and then. You can also follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/ncirl) o r b e c o m e a f a n o f our Facebook page. Special thanks as always to the contributors to this publication: Editor Emma Henderson
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15 In this issue
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NCI Noticeboard
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For these are jolly good fellows
New Captain for NCI Conferring of 3 new honorary fellowships
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Graduation 09 in pictures
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Hot off the press
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Foundation News
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Alumni Interview: Darren Kelly
Latest releases from NCI
10 Insight Debate Series 12 Student Slice
A slice of life at NCI
Editorial Corrie Adams Sinead Bheilbigh Emily Barry Beatrice Cantalejo Regina Dunne Emma Henderson Design Grainne McElroy Photography Bonnie Cullen Emma Fry Fennell Photography Patrick O’Leary Deryck Tormey NCI: 01 4498 500 www.ncirl.ie Cover Image:
Paul Mooney with former snooker world champion Ken Doherty
14 Home is where the heart is
Launch of new home visiting programme
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15 Disability Support Service 16 Legends in your Lunchtime
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2 Minute Interview Harry Gough
Premises Supervisor
1. A common misperception of me is... I’m calm and easygoing. Some people have even said that, when they met me for the first time, they thought I was the owner of the College. I must have had my best clothes on that day.
2. I`m good at... …looking out for students and staff.
3. I`m not-so-good at... …saying no.
4. The ideal night out is... …a night in with a few drinks and some food.
5. The last book I read was… …King of the World: Muhammed Ali and the Rise of an American Hero . 6. The last cd I listened to was… …The 3 Tenors.
7. My favourite part of my job is… …looking at the happy faces of the students and their families when they graduate. 8. It frustrates me when… …people judge a book by its cover
9. A phrase I use far too often is... ...”No problem”.
10. In a nutshell, my philosophy is… …What goes around comes around so live for today: nobody knows what’s around that corner.
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NC I N ot ice b oa r d Citi Foundation Gift
Citi Foundation recently gifted €13,580 to
fund a unique workforce development programme at the college.
The Progressions programme has been specially designed by NCI and industry experts, the Institute of Bankers, Irish Funds Industry Association and the Irish Banking Federation to place 300 people into sustainable jobs in financial services and related sectors over the next three years.
Left to Right: Paul Mooney with Citigroup Ireland CEO Aidan Brady and HR Director Cecelia Ronan.
State Street Foundation, Ace Europe, Axis, CPL, Invesco, Pioneer Investments and Transamerica Reinsurance have generously supported this innovative initiative. The programme is supported by FÁS and the Department of Social & Family Affairs.
NCI President Paul Mooney commented: “Citi has worked in partnership with the College to create life changing opportunities for ‘second chance’ students. Their commitment to every aspect of this programme has been incredible.”
The programme focuses on communication skills in the workplace, business administration skills, specific skills in either funds administration/retail banking and includes work experience within the financial services industry. Graduates will receive a FETAC major award at level 5, in Financial Services.
Seeds of Success
Calom Technologies, based in the National College of Ireland Business Incubation Centre, was recently proclaimed the winner in the Dublin Emerging Company Ca tegory o f t h i s y e a r ’s S e e d corn Competition.
The business competition, the biggest on the island of Ireland, is run by cross-border business development organisation Intertrade Ireland. The aim is to stimulate new start-up activity, accelerate commercial development and create more opportunities for private equity investment.
Adrian Skehill, CEO of Calom Technologies and lecturer in Software Engineering and Distributed Systems at National College of Ireland, said: "Winning the Dublin Regional Final of the Seedcorn Competition has given us a great boost; not just the cash prize but also the feedback and input from some of Ireland's leading business people has been invaluable". Calom Technologies develops software that integrates internet media content, live TV streams and social networks and delivers this using an online w e b s i t e o p t i m i s e d f o r t e l e v i s i o ns (http://ipic.tv).
Adrian Skehill and David Conde of Calom Technologies show off iPic TV.
This software is customised for telecommunications companies and internet service providers who wish to deliver a richer entertainment experience to their customers.
NCI’s Business Incubation Centre is home to 14 innovative start-up companies working in the areas of finance, business and technology. See www.ncirl.ie/bic for more.
New Captain For NCI NCI’s Governing Body has announced the appointment of Dr. Phillip Matthews as the new College President, succeeding Dr. Paul Mooney who departs at the end of February. Dr. Matthews joins NCI from the UCD Michael Smurfit School of Business, where he was Director of Executive Education. A PhD Graduate of Queen’s University Belfast, Dr. Matthews has a wealth of industry experience from senior management roles in the pharmaceutical and consulting industries. Denis O’Brien, Chairman of the NCI Governing Body, welcomed his appointment by saying:
“Phillip will bring tremendous energy, determination and skill to the National College of Ireland. NCI has been a champion of inclusive access and second chance learning and Phillip will continue this tradition of providing high quality educational, professional and work related learning opportunities. In the present economic climate, the number of people looking to upgrade and re-engineer their skills has increased substantially and Phillip will lead NCI in meeting this demand.
Together with the faculty and executive team, he will ensure that NCI continues to provide a vibrant learning environment to some 5,000 full and part-time students.” A former Irish rugby captain, Dr. Matthews was a member of the Triple Crown winning-team in 1985 and still commentates for the BBC.
He said: "I am delighted and very proud to be joining National College of Ireland. I am excited at the prospect of working with everyone at the College and within its community towards furthering NCI's distinctive mission of widening participation in higher education. "
Mr. O’Brien also paid tribute to Dr. Mooney, saying:
“Paul did a great job of consolidating NCI and has cemented its position in the heart of the IFSC as a provider of high quality education to all. His unflagging efforts have paid dividends and he hands over to Phillip a sound academic institution on which to build and expand.
I would like to thank Paul on behalf of myself and the entire Governing Body for his considerable contribution to National College of Ireland.”
Dr. Mooney is returning to a management consulting role having successfully led the college through a period of restructuring and strategic change. Dr. Matthews will take up his post from March.
Phillip will bring tremendous energy, determination and skill to the National College of Ireland.
Denis O’Brien, Chairman of the NCI Governing Body
I am excited at the prospect of w o r k i n g w i t h e v e r y one at the College and within its community towards furthering NCI's distinctive mission of widening participation in higher education. Dr. Phillip Matthews
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For these are Jolly good fellows
In November, National College of Ireland conferred the distinction of an honorary fellowship on former snooker world champion Ken Doherty, CEO and founder of the Healy Group, Maurice Healy and former NCI Director, Father John Brady, S.J.
The fellowships were awarded as part of the College’s graduation ceremonies in the RDS, and continue NCI’s long tradition of honouring those who have attained distinction in the arts, literature, business, sports or civic life, and who have rendered exceptional community service.
Ken Doherty was honoured as an outstanding
ambassador for his sport and his country. He holds a unique place in snooker history, being the only player ever to have won both the Amateur and Professional World Championships.
Mr. Billy Attley, who delivered the citation, said: “Ken is one of the most popular and respected sporting figures of our time, renowned not only for his considerable skill and sportsmanship but also for his warmth and professional, courteous manner.” Ken’s status as a national sporting hero was cemented when he beat Stephen Hendry 18-12 to win the 1997 Snooker World Championship.
Mr. Attley continued: “As the first player from the Republic of Ireland to take the title, Ken joined an elite group of no more than 22 players in the history of professional snooker, worldwide. More than 250,000 fans lined the streets of Dublin to give Ken a hero’s welcome when he brought the trophy home. And as if that welcome wasn’t enough, a further 60,000 cheered him on at Old Trafford, when he paraded the trophy on the ground of his favourite football team Manchester United.”
Maurice Healy, pictured above with his family, was honoured for his outstanding contribution to improving the quality of life in Ireland. A successful and respected leader in the business world – as evidenced by his recent presidency of IBEC, the Irish Business and Employers Confederation – Mr. Healy is also an inspiring leader in the area of social entrepreneurship.
Mr. Eddie Sullivan, who delivered his citation, said: “Maurice has worked hard to reposition the business community’s thinking in relation to their contribution to social change, and has been a strong advocate of the involvement of Irish business with social deprivation issues, particularly those geared at addressing inequities around education which is so close to the mission of NCI.” Mr. Sullivan also quoted Maurice’s good friend, Paddy McGuinness: 'Maurice is gregarious in spirit, with time, energy and enthusiasm for everyone.
He would swim across a river to help someone and has extraordinary ability to get under the bonnet and find a solution that works. Perhaps his key quality is that he still remains excited by things'.
Maurice is gregarious in spirit, with time, energy and enthusiasm for everyone. Paddy McGuinness
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Father John Brady, S.J. was honoured for his immense contribution to developing NCI as an institution and in bringing it forward to its present position.
He joined the organisation in 1970, when it was known as the National College of Industrial Relations and located in Ranelagh. He remained a member of staff for thirty years, serving as Director of the College for ten years from 1972.
Dr. Tony White of the Milltown Institute delivered the citation for Fr. Brady, stating: “John Brady was a moderniser. During his time as Director, the college made the transition from being primarily a college of adult education to becoming a mainline third-level college. The College had opened as the Catholic Workers College in 1951, and it developed from the skills and contacts of a small and remarkable group of Jesuits in the 1950s and 1960s.”
He continued: “Asked what characterised John Brady, one of those who worked with him in the early years of the College suggested that he was somebody who offered calm leadership to very strong individuals. He is indeed a calm, gentle and courteous man, a widely - read man and someone with a great interest in music. You are liable to bump into him regularly at the National Concert Hall. Nevertheless behind that gentle exterior there was the passion, the determination, the steel and the vision that tend to be marks of successful leaders of complex institutions like this College.”
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Graduation 2009
in Pictures
On November 19th and 20th, NCI hosted its Annual Graduation Ceremonies in the august surroundings of the Concert Hall in the RDS. More than 1000 students were conferred over the course of the two days with a range of awards from certificates to degrees, postgraduate degrees and diplomas. Speaking at the event NCI President, Dr. Paul Mooney congratulated the recent graduates on their achievements and on behalf of everyone at NCI wished them every success in their future lives and careers.
J e r r y F l y n n f r o m D u n L a o g h a i r e a n d E m ma Morrissey-Murphy, from Skerries, brave the weather to graduate from the Progressions programme at National College of Ireland.
Calling the ceremony “a red letter day to remember and treasure”, Dr. Mooney made the point that graduating is but one step on a student’s “journey to greatness”.
He urged students to keep in touch by joining the college’s A l u m n i A s s o c i a t i o n at http://alumni.ncirl.ie.
Marie Norton, from Ashbourne, Co. Meath, with her husband Steven Ronan and son Jack, age 2. Marie was conferred with a BA in HRM.
Aoife O' Grady from Ballinsloe, Rachel Byrne, from Glasnevin and Treasure Europa, from Clondalkin, who were all conferred with a BA in Accounting and HRM.
Stephanie Thompson, from Mountmellick, Co. Laois who was conferred with a Diploma in First Line Management from the National College of Ireland.
M i c h a e l Kie rnan, winner of the President's Award, who graduated with a BA (Hons) in Accounting and Human Resource Management. Sean Byrne with guide dog Daisy. Sean was conferred with a Diploma in First Line Management.
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Hot off the press
Accidental Leadership, the latest release from outgoing NCI President, Dr. Paul Mooney, was published in December by The Liffey Press.
Broadcaster Joe Duffy officially launched the book, which challenges some basic preconceptions about leaders and argues that ‘very few managers possess the full leadership toolkit’.
Engagingly written with warmth and humour, Accidental Leadership tackles the intriguing topic of leadership in a forthright and enjoyable manner.
It charts Dr. Mooney’s extraordinary career as an early school leaver who progressed from apprentice butcher to the President of National College of Ireland (NCI).
Paul with wife Linda, daughter Nicole and son Cillian.
The book also presents a powerful leadership model developed from his personal experiences and a diverse career in Ireland and internationally spanning more than 30 years.
As a practitioner who has ‘walked the talk’, the book presents practitioner insights and is delivered in the engaging style of a master storyteller.
Dr. Mooney is the author of eight previous books, including management fable Desperate Executives, Keeping Your Best Staff: The Human Resources Challenge in a Competitive Environment and Developing the High Performance Organisation.
L-R Joe Duffy, Norma Smurfit and Paul Mooney
NCI computing lecturer Dr. Eugene O'Loughlin launched his first book, 'An Introduction to Business Systems Analysis', in February.
The book was formally launched by Mark Ryan, Managing Director of Accenture Ireland, to an audience of noted academics and industry experts along with other distinguished guests.
Dr. Eugene O'Loughlin with Mark Ryan, MD of Accenture Ireland.
The book outlines problem-solving techniques and strategies for business professionals such as business analysts, project managers, systems analysts and consultants.
Dr. O’Loughlin said: "The launch of ‘An Introduction to Business Systems Analysis’ provides Business Analysts, and those engaged in business analysis activities, with an introductory text that provides guidance on key activities such as gathering and analysing requirements. The many techniques and strategies described in detail in the book will equip practitioners with the key skills necessary for their problem solving efforts."
Phil Chambers, head of the Business Analysts Association of Ireland welcomed the launch of the book by saying: 'At a time when the role of the business analyst is so important to organisations, and the need for fully qualified Business Analysts so critical to that role, this book is perfectly timed to help achieve that objective.” ‘An Introduction to Business Systems Analysis’ is available from the Norma Smurfit Library at National College of Ireland, the Liffey Press and Amazon.com. All proceeds will be donated to the National College of Ireland Foundation. Eugene’s blog can be found at http://eoloughlin.blogspot.com
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National College of Ireland
Foundation
The NCI Foundation aims to establish Ireland’s first third-level centre
for the study of corporate responsibility and sustainability in 2010. The Centre will act as an independent intellectual incubator to help business leaders find practical ways to integrate their discretionary business practices with a social role and address critical social issues. The Centre will also serve as a laboratory in which stakeholders engage with each other through lively and mutually beneficial exchanges that enhance their own effectiveness and raise the level of corporate responsibility activity in Ireland.
“It is timely that the National College of Ireland Centre for the Study of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability will launch in 2010 as Ireland’s only third-level academic centre exclusively dedicated to the highest standards of intellectual inquiry, scholarly research and rigorous stakeholder engagement in the field of corporate responsibility, citizenship and sustainability,” says Professor Jimmy Hill of the NCI Business School.
Many business leaders want to do more to help improve society and the lives of their staff and their customers. Doing well and doing good are natural and complementary objectives. Corporate responsibility is no longer an obligation and more and more companies are engaging with stakeholders and supporting social issues that also meet their core business objectives. “Accenture is committed to the communities in which we operate and fully support our employees energy, enthusiasm and passion to make a difference in the lives of others. We believe our support of NCI Foundation around its establishment of Ireland’s first third-level centre for the study of corporate responsibility and sustainability, along with our wider investments across our local community are achieving outcomes that make a real impact in society”, Carmel Halpin, Corporate Citizenship Lead, Accenture.
Companies in Ireland, and around the world, are finding their corporate citizenship activities not only solve intractable social problems, but also help increase sales, develop new products, improve relationships with customers and strengthen corporate values – NCI’s Centre will help to promote these ideals in Ireland.
In partnership with:
Accenture Ammado An Post BT Jacob Fruitfield Food Group Johnson & Johnson Sarah Newman
In association with:
Nurture Development Social Capital Ireland
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In Profile: Barney Whelan
Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs and NCI Foundation Board Member What was your first job? Fisheries Biologist
Who would your three all-time dinner guests be? Charles Darwin; Billy Connolly; David Bellamy What would you do with three wishes? I would take my children to wherever they wanted to go to; I would go to wherever I wanted to go to; For however long I want to!
Where would you wish to go? I would take the Tour d’Afrique, a 11884km, 4 month cycling journey from Cairo to Cape Town. Who is the person you most admire? Bjørn Lomborg, author of The Skeptical Environmentalist.
What is the best decision you ever made? To work hard.
If you could make one change to Irish society, what would it be? I would abolish the Proportional Representation system of voting. How important is Higher Education to the future prosperity of Ireland? The beginning, the middle and the end!
If you were an Taoiseach for a day what one change would you make to ease our current economic difficulties globally? I would align Ireland with the competitiveness of emerging nations.
As a member of the NCI Foundation Board, what attracted you to National College of Ireland? I admire NCI’s inclusiveness and second chance offerings. I also wanted to assist NCI in securing HEA status and in tackling funding challenges. What makes NCI so special? NCI is down to earth and realistic.
Alumni Interview: Darren Kelly NCI
What are the main challenges you have encountered so far?
graduate Darren Kelly featured in the top 10 newly-qualified Chartered Accountants in 2009, out of almost 2000 candidates from the Republic and the North. He graduated from the BA (Hons) in Accounting & HRM in 2006.
The major challenge to date for me has been the work, social and study balance especially attending lectures two nights during the week and two weekends a month.
I initially enrolled on the Higher Certificate in Business Studies and graduated in 2004. I then moved into the BA (Honours) in Accounting and HRM, accounting stream, and graduated in 2006.
Who have been your biggest influences, both personally and professionally?
What course did you take at National College of Ireland?
Do you have any abiding memories of the College or the course?
I have very fond memories of NCI with excellent lecturers who get to know the students and work with them to develop their potential, especially Desmond Gibney who lectured me for two years on the fundamental financial subjects. Also, the state of the art facilities in the college and the friendships I made during my time there.
What makes the National College of Ireland different?
The smaller friendlier environment offered by the college with the development of one to one relationships with the lecturers, and the student culture within the college.
Tell us about your professional journey.
I started working in a small practice in Naas developing a basic understanding of auditing, accounts preparation and taxation. From there I moved to OSK were I undertook my Chartered Accountant qualification and three and a half year training period.
What motivated you to become an auditor?
I have always had an interest in general business issues and wanted to develop my commercial awareness in an environment were I could gain exposure to a large number of industries.
CPA Merit Award
Congratulations to Nadine Daly w h o w a s a w a r d e d t he prestigious Annual Merit Award from the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland (CPA). Nadine is currently training with accountancy firm Baker Tilly Ryan Glennon.
What is it like to be in the top 10 newly-qualified Chartered Accountants in 2009 for the Republic and the North?
When I got the result I was shocked because they are the type of exams that no one knows how they did. After the results set in I was delighted and got great acknowledgement from my professional peers. I get recognised all round the office. On a personal level my family has been a huge influence always believing that I could do well. On a professional level my mentors in OSK who have always supported me through my studies. At a more aspirational level Dermot Desmond influences me as to what any one of us can do with our life.
What role can education play to overcome these recessionary times?
Education is key to our recovery. In order to attract investment into our country we need to offer something special and this is were education fits in. Education will allow us to become a knowledge based country and attract the higher paid specialised positions.
What do you most like doing when you’re not working?
I am involved in the OSK social committee and arrange a number of events from table quiz’s to sporting events. I also enjoy travelling when I have the time.
If you could start again, what would you do differently?
There is nothing really I would do differently. When I left school I was unsure of what I really wanted to do, I just knew I had an interest in business. As a result I took the general business certificate to see what I liked and that’s when I established my enjoyment for accountancy.
Something that made you smile recently…
I recently finished my three and a half years training contract and as such I am fully qualified.
Last Chance to Win €1000
5. The last book I read was… oin Peace, the NCI Alumni network WarJand nah it was Wicked - the life and and times Wicked now keep of inthe touch with Witch of the West - Brilliant friends, network with other
Alumni, access the exclusive
6. The last cd I listened to was… Career Centre and much more. Florence and the Machine - Lungs
Those who register before the 28th of February 2010 will enter the favourite chance topart winof €1000 cash 7. My my job is… doing reports graphs, I prize. Don’t missand your chance! can't get enough of graphs
Join the NCI Alumni network at http://alumni.ncirl.ie
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in association with
A new event series designed to elevate and enliven public discussion on the burning issues of the day has been
launched by National College of Ireland, The Irish Times and Newstalk 106-108 fm.
The Insight Debate Series held its inaugural debate in October with the motion: This house believes that the scales of justice are tilted in favour of the criminal.
Barrister Paul Anthony McDermott, former Minister for Justice Nora Owen, and Ger Philpott from Advocates for Victims of Homicide (AdVic) proposed the motion.
They were opposed by Senator Ivana Bacik, the Reid Professor of Criminal Law, Criminology and Penology at Trinity College Dublin, Dr. Maurice Manning, President of the Irish Human Rights Commission, and Fr. Peter McVerry SJ. Chairman Eamon Keane, host of Lunchtime on Newstalk 106-108fm, presided over the debate.
The series continued in November when an expert panel of politicians, activists, economists and academics debated the motion: This house believes that globalisation puts profits before people.
The motion was proposed by Cllr. Richard Boyd Barrett of the People Before Profit Alliance, Dr. Colin Coulter from the Sociology Department of NUI Maynooth and Dr. Andy Storey from the School of Politics & International Relations at UCD. Professor Jimmy Hill, Dean of the School of Business at NCI and economists Moore McDowell and Dermot O’Leary (Goodbody Stockbrokers) opposed the motion.
Broadcaster Karen Coleman, host of The Wide Patti Thompson Angle on Newstalk 106-108 fm, chaired the event. After an extremely tight vote, the motion carried. Next Debate on April 15th
L-R: Moore McDowell, Karen Coleman and Dr. Andy Storey
"Talk is central to everything we do at Newstalk 106-108 fm and certainly an opportunity to be associated with such topical debates is fantastic for our brand."
Michael Markey, Marketing Director of Newstalk 106-108 fm
All debates are free, open to the public and followed by a complimentary drinks reception.
Book now at www.ncirl.ie for the next event on April 15th, when a panel of excellent speakers will debate the motion: This house believes that Ireland cannot afford a bloated and inefficient public sector.
Proposing the motion will be Colm McCarthy, Chair of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes (more commonly known as An Bord Snip Nua), Mark Fielding, Chief Executive of the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME), and entrepreneur Gavin Duffy, from RTE’s Dragons’ Den. Arguing against the motion will be Ruairi Quinn TD, Blair Horan, General Secretary, CPSU and Jack O’Connor, General President of SIPTU.
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Places are limited so reserve your seat now to avoid disappointment.
Left - Right: Nora Owen Ger Philpott Paul Anthony McDermott Eamon Keane Maunce Manning Fr Peter McVerry Ivana Bacik
Student Slice A S l i c e o f L i f e at N C I . . .
The NCI Men’s Soccer team this year entered Division 1 and 2 teams into the College & Universities Football League (CUFL) and College FAI (CFAI) Cup competitions.
Under the management of their Club President, Co l u m O ’ K a n e , t h e t e a m h a s p e r f o r m e d exceptionally well during the season and to progress at this level is new territory for soccer in the College. The Club recently approached the Excel Dry Cleaners, IFSC and received sponsorship from the manager towards new team tracksuits as they continue to provide a service to all NCI sporting clubs.
Paul D er team with men’s socc
Paul Daly, manager of Excel Dry Cleaners, said: The NCI "As a member of the Docklands Business Forum we are always encouraging local support for local business. So when the opportunity arose to support the NCI football team we were delighted. The staff, students and lecturers use our service so it was nice to do something in return as a thank you. We wish them even greater success next season."
The Division 1 team finished second in the CUFL and qualified for the quarter final draw in which they won a tough away match 2-1 against Galway/Mayo IT.
Active @ College Challenge
An exciting new programme is being launched that will promote and encourage exercise and healthier lifestyles for NCI students. Students can choose from a range of physical activities designed for all abilities and structured to suit students’ academic timetables. The programme is a great opportunity to get fit in a fun environment and make new friends along the way. The Active @ College Challenge is a 6 week stress buster programme intended to improve students’ fitness by tracking their physical progress through pre and post programme fitness tests.
aly, Excel
Dry Cleaner
s
Recommend National Colleg
Attention All NCI Inte
WOULD YOU LIKE T If you are a full-time fee p is a simple way for you to of Ireland For more Information please visit: The International Office
Room 413, The 4th Floor NCI IFSC Campus Mayor St, Dublin 1
It provides opportunities through participation in fitness classes and other sport and recreation pursuits such as rock climbing, yoga and swimming. NCI’s Early Learning Initiative is working with children in 2nd, 3rd and 4th class to develop their literacy, numeracy and general knowledge skills through a series of inter-school challenges. The project also aims to increase and facilitate parental involvement in children’s learning.
The first challenge was a Scrabble tournament for 2nd class which was held on February 10th. Five schools took part and NCI provided each with Scrabble sets in advance, for classroom practice. Parents were also invited into the classrooms to play the game with their children. The Scrabble Challenge was a great success with prizes given to the top scoring players in each game. All participating children also received a small prize.
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Above: 2nd class pupils enjoying the
Academic Excellence Awards N C I c e l e b r a t e d t h e o u t s t a n ding achievements of its student body at the Academic Excellence Ceremony, held in the college Atrium. Eight students were presented with certificates in recognition of their academic achievements. In the School of Business, certificates were presented to Bernadette Hogan, Highest Achieving First Year Student; Kieran Hanley, Highest Achieving Second Year Student; Ke Sheng, Highest Achieving Third Year Student, and Susan Scanlon, who was presented with a Special Achievement Award.
In the School of Computing, awards were made to Colin Greene, Highest Achieving First Year Student; Darren O’Neill, Highest Achieving Second Year Student; Guillermo Beiro Ferreira, Highest Achieving Third Year Student, and James Flanagan, who was presented with a Special Achievement Award.
Sports Scholarships
In November, four annual sports scholarships were presented to first year students to promote and foster sporting talent at NCI. The scholarships have supported these talented athletes in their development.
d a friend to ge of Ireland
ernational Students!
TO EARN €1,000 OR MORE? paying international student there o earn €1,000 at National College
International students enjoying the Chinese New Year festivities at the C o l l e g e i n F e b r u a r y. S c h o l ars Restaurant prepared a Chinese buffet feast for the occasion.
e ELI Scrabble Challenge
Lavina Cormack is the current World Association of Kickboxing Organisations No. 2 and 2009 European Champion fighting in the 70kg semi contact discipline. Since receiving a sports scholarship she has won two Club fights and marginally lost the final of the four nation's team event.
Peter Geraghty currently plays for the Bohemians FC and competes in the U'18s DDSL as either striker or attacking midfielder. Since receiving a sports scholarship he is the top scorer with 8 goals from 10 matches and the Club are currently 2nd in the League. Peter also is playing for the NCI Soccer Club first division team who reached the semis of the College League and narrowly lost their quarters of the Plate Cup match.
Michael Noone currently plays for the Seapoint Rugby FC and competes in the Leinster Senior League Division 1A in the no. 8 position. Since receiving a sports scholarship he has played the semis of the Leinster Cup and the Club is currently top of the League. He is also currently being targeted by player’s agents to trial for Leicester.
Andrew Shore currently plays for the Davidstown/ Courtnacuddy Club in the centre forward or centre back position. Since receiving a sports scholarship he has been training in the off season for both U21 and Senior Wexford panels. Andrew is also playing for the NCI Hurling and GAA Clubs in both Colleges League and Championship competitions.
Biz Bites The NCI Business Incubation Centre is home to Open Plain, a workplace analytics software company which was set up in 2006 by technologists Jon Mulligan and Damien O’Brien, with the support of Enterprise Ireland and AIB’s Seed Capital Fund.
Open Plain is the only Irish provider of workplace analytics software. It allows organisations to track and analyse employee productivity and computer usage, identifying inefficient work practices and businesses processes. Since their foundation in 2006, Open Plain has gone from strength to strength. They achieved a major double in 2008 by winning two significant bus i n e s s a w a r d s : t h e prestigious Docklands Innovation Park Award and the InterTrade Ireland Seedcorn enterprise award. In between collecting these two accolades they raised €1m investment from Enterprise Ireland, AIB’s Seed Capital Fund and private BES investors. Open Plain recently launched their latest cutting edge product, LicenseMetrics, in September 2009. License Metrics can cut software licensing bills for companies by up to 25% by identifying what software and functionality is, or isn’t being used.
Jon Mulligan, Founder & Managing Director of Open Plain
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Home is where the heart is
In February the Early Learning Initiative at NCI launched a free community programme that has been proven to lower school dropout rates. The Parent Child Home Programme (PCHP) is an established American home-visiting model with over forty years of rigorous research to demonstrate its success. It has been adapted for local delivery by the ELI team. The programme is aimed at families with children aged between eighteen months and four years old. Through intensive home visiting, families are strengthened and children are prepared for academic success.
Beth Fagan, who co-ordinates the programme at NCI, said: “NCI is delighted to introduce the Parent Child Home Programme to Ireland. It was founded in America to reduce the high-school dropout rate and more than 40 years of international research has proven its enduring effectiveness in this critical area. The PCHP approach is to engage parents when their children are very young and to help them prepare their children to be sucessful at school. It works by increasing language and literacy skills, enhancing development in the child and by strengthening the parent-child relationship.
Programme co-ordinator Beth Fagan, front right, with NCI's Home Visitors. Ultimately, the programme leads to greater numbers completing secondary school as the children’s early success is carried on throughout their educational journey.”
Three year old Jamie Higgins took some time out at the launch to catch up on his reading.
Trained home visitors, all from the local community, demonstrate how to use children’s books and toys to cultivate language and literacy skills and promote school readiness.
The books and toys are gifts: over the course of the programme, a library of children’s toys will be acquired by participating families, along with a large collection of educational toys.
The St. Lawrence O'Toole's CBS Choir performed a selection of Hans Christian Anderson songs at the event.
NCI’s Early Learning Initiative has been piloting the programme for two years. In May 2009 formal accreditation was granted by the National Office of the Parent Child Home Programme, based in New York.
NCI is now operating the only certified Parent Child Home Programme in Europe. It is entirely free for families to take part, but initially, the programme is available only to families within the Dublin Docklands area.
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Currently forty six families are enrolled on the PCHP programme at NCI. See www.ncirl.ie/eli for more.
Sponsors Disability Support Service in National College of Ireland
Since O2 moved its headquarters to Dublin’s Docklands area in 2005 a key priority for the business has been to integrate itself into the local community through a range of different initiatives. Among these have been an ongoing partnership with St. Andrew’s Resource Centre on Pearse Street including the creation of an annual awards scheme for young people; and the fostering of a relationship between O2 and the National College of Ireland (NCI) in the IFSC.
Earlier this year O2 teamed up with NCI when it’s CEO, Danuta Gray, participated in NCI’s “Legends in Your Lunchtime” series of events. Most recently O2 has agreed to sponsor the role of NCI’s Student Support Officer, which includes the Disability S u p p o r t S e r v i c e . O 2 ’s support will enable the NCI to provide academic and personal support, on an Left to right: Stephen Kennedy, O2 Student Support Officer, Dr Paul intensive one-to-one basis to Mooney, NCI President and Jude Lynch, Chief Operating Officer O2 Ireland students with disabilities. Embracing diversity has always been at the heart of O2's business, as highlighted by its involvement with the Ability Awards since their inception in 2005. The O2 Ability Awards acknowledge and reward businesses for best practice in the inclusion of people with disabilities, both as employees and as customers. For more information about O2’s community initiatives, please log on to http://cr2008.o2online.ie/.
Quick Q
A
Stephen Kennedy is the O2 Student Support Officer at National College of Ireland.
What is your role in NCI? Essentially, my role is to oversee the academic and personal support services for all students. A key part of the position is coordinating support for students with disabilities. All services are guided by an overarching mission that encourages excellence, celebrates differences, supports success and fosters involvement’.
What changes have you observed since joining NCI? Since the Disability Support Service was set up 5 years ago, there has been a 1,300% increase in the number of students with disabilities studying at NCI. Students with disabilities now account for 7% of the full-time student body, 3% higher than the national average. The most exciting development in recent years is the news that O2 have agreed to support the Disability Support Service at NCI. With O2’s support we can continue the great work we’re doing.
What challenges do students with disabilities face in third level? College is a big step up from second level and can be very daunting for students with disabilities, especially those with high support needs. Students are expected to work independently and the volume of work is heavier and the pace is faster.
What service does NCI provide to students with disabilities? Every student has different needs depending on their disability. We assess a student's needs upon starting and coordinate academic and personal supports to help them navigate their way through the College. This can range from assistive technology and learning support to note-takers, additional tuition and exam accommodations.
Why is the O2 deal so important to NCI's students? A challenge for all third level institutions is to ensure that support is mainstreamed wherever possible and that students with disabilities have an equitable learning experience. Support from O2 will help us deliver on this vision, progressing a more inclusive environment for students with disabilities.
Student
Profile:
Brian McGillivary is a second year computing student at National College of Ireland. He has won an NCI Sports Scholarship two years running and recently represented Ireland in Soccer at the Special Olympics.
How are you enjoying college life? I really enjoy college life! The social life is great but as I’m big into sports I don’t go out a lot during the week due to training. In terms of my course, it doesn’t matter how big the classes are, if you have a problem you can talk to the lecturers about anything. They are very friendly and approachable. NCI was my first choice and I’m glad I made it.
Were you nervous about coming to college? When I started here at the college I was a little bit nervous. I didn’t have any friends coming to the college with me but once I got to know people it was great.
Can you tell me a little bit about your disability? I have Cerebral Palsy, a condition affecting body movements and muscle co-ordination. Certain movements I have are stiff; I mainly have problems with my left arm and left leg. I am very open about my disability but when it comes to girls I wouldn’t be as open as I would be with the lads! What supports have you received in college? From the very first day I received plenty of support from the college. I met with the O2 Student Support Officer, Stephen Kennedy and he told me everything there is to know about the college and the course I was doing. I received a specialised laptop and extra printing facilities to help with my course work. NCI Disability Support also assists me with exam preparation, academic writing and note-taking.
How important is a Disability Support Service in a college? I think a Disability Support Service is hugely important in a college. There are a lot more people in third level education with a disability than people realise. They can be nervous and shy about their disability and the support service is an ideal way of getting to know about the college and what assistance you can receive. I believe that a Disability Support Service like the one in NCI is very beneficial. A person with a disability feels different already, this helps them feel less different and to fit in easier.
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Eoin McDevitt, presenter of Newstalk's Off The Ball, with Paul McGrath in January
Legends in Your
L u n c h ti m e
Chris Cowley, Metro Herald editor, shows Paul McGrath a few tricks.
Student Spotlight in partnership with
Claire Byrne with Maeve Donovan, MD of The Irish Times.
Lunchtime's Eamon Keane with Haven founder, Leslie Buckley. Eamonn Fallon, Daft Media CEO and one of Ireland's biggest internet entrepreneurs, opened up to Newstalk's Conor Brophy in November.
NCI President Paul Mooney with Barnardos CEO, Fergus Finlay.
Ross McDonagh, Metro Herald, with Bobby Kerr and Claire Byrne, co-host of The Breakfast Show on Newstalk 106-108 fm.
NCI, Metro Herald and Newstalk 106-108 fm continue to bring you a range of fascinating speakers from across the fields of business, sport, charity and politics.
Legends In Your Lunchtime, the award-winning public event series, lifts the lid on how great modern leaders think, and what has made them the people they are today.
This is your chance to get up close and personal as your favourite Newstalk 106-108 fm presenters chat live to our influential and inspiring special guests.
Recent speakers include Leslie Buckley, business consultant and founder of Haven; Irish Times MD, Maeve Donovan; Barnardos, CEO Fergus Finlay; CEO of Daft Media, Eamonn Fallon; Republic of Ireland soccer legend, Paul McGrath, and Dragons’ Den judge and Insomnia CEO, Bobby Kerr.
Ben Dunne, Gerry Adams and GOAL’s Chief Executive, John O’Shea, are all coming up in the current series. All events take place from 1-2pm at NCI’s IFSC campus, are free of charge and open to the public – details and online booking are at www.ncirl.ie.
Breakfast with Claire Byrne & Ivan Yates Weekdays 6.30am-9.00am
A fresh approach in the morning From 6.30am, Claire and Ivan cover the latest news and developments on all of the important topics ensuring you are fully briefed for the day ahead. Business Editor, Conor Brophy brings you in-depth business news from home and abroad. Breakfast stimulates comment, analysis, opinion and national debate as only an independent national radio station could. A fresh approach, a different angle, a better start to the day. Tune into 106-108 fm.
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