The Experiential Learning Office celebrated its fifth anniversary this academic year and has gone from strength to strength as we continue to develop and enable high-impact experiential learning experiences. As evidenced in the activity and achievements of 2021/22, we have increased our engagement, expanded and cultivated our partnerships and subsequently enhanced our portfolio of student opportunities developing MU students’ skills and competencies for work, life and engaged citizenship. The efforts of the experiential learning team, student ambassadors, faculty, students, organisational stakeholders and alumni have built a solid foundation. I look forward to seeing what new directions we will take as we implement the new strategic plan and work towards establishing student skills and success.
DrAislingFlynn Experiential Learning Office Lead | Head of Student Skills and Success
Thank you to Dr Aisling Flynn for leading the Experiential Learning Office since its inception in 2016.
The past year has been an incredible one for the team because we got to see our programmes in action as our students returned to campus.
Each programme has grown from strength to strength, and we look forward to continuing the incredible work for the 2022-23 Academic Year.
MáireBuckley Experiential Learning Officer
OUR PURPOSE
To equip students for work, life and engaged citizenship directly or indirectly, through empowering academic departments to deliver high impact experiential learning experiences that are of value to all stakeholders involved.
AISLING FLYNN
Experiential Learning Officer
LLOYD-HUGHES
Civic Engagement and
Community Partnership Coordinator
MÁIRE BUCKLEY
Employer Engagement and WorkRelated Learning Coordinator
JENNIFER
Ryan Lynch, Stephanie Joyce, Jaya Duignan, Julia Ziarnowska, Niall Carden, Róisín Devoy
THANK YOU, OUR AMBASSADORS
FOR ALL YOUR WORK IN 2021-22
Project Live is a collaboration between external stakeholders, academics and students and is concerned with the enhancement of teaching and learning using community engaged and work-related learning principles and practices.
The Summer Programme for Undergraduate Research offers MU students the opportunity to secure a six-week paid summer research placement, across a range of disciplines.
MU Micro Internships offers valuable professional experience outside the traditional placement cycle for Maynooth University Students, whilst enabling organizations to quickly access a diverse pool of talent.
Students can upskill for the future with our professional development and employability electives, MU Forage virtual work experience insights and Upskill pathways and resources on MU FutureConnect.
The MU Alumni Mentoring programme supports the development of student preparedness for work, life and engaged citizenship through informed career insights and empowering students to achieve their career aims.
Research Live is a partnership between external stakeholders, academics and students doing individual/group research projects that increase the knowledge of key issues affecting community and industry partners, enabling change.
MU FutureReady Connect is a careers and employability portal that connects MU students to relevant opportunities, programmes, events and resources.
The MUSE Awards recognise and reward student contribution to extra-curricular and co-curricular activity and present distinctive MU students and future graduates to employers.
2271 Students completed our programmes 2021/22
1260 Students benefitted form experiential learning in their module, as a result of Project Live
18
Academic Departments partnered with us on our Project Live, Research Live and SPUR initiatives
802 Students engaged with the Virtual Fair 2021/22
6257 Interactions with our virtual employability tools
18,176 Verified Student Hours Recognised by the MUSE Award this year
2,271 Students
2021-2022
participated in our programmes
2021-22
partnered in our programmes
2021-22
partnered with our programmes and attended the Virtual Fair 2021-2022
Scholarships granted to date (est. 2017)
99% Students would recommend this programme to a friend
“This experience gave a me an opportunity grow as an individual and develop essential skills that will help me excel professionally. I truly believe that this project prepared me to for my year-long placement as well. There is absolutely no doubt that it boosted my confidence and made me trust more in my abilities and rely on my team members. I’ve had the best six weeks of my life while completing this project.“
2021-22 AT A GLANCE
57 Scholarships
“The experience of being a SPUR student was the best experience of my college life so far. It allowed me to put my knowledge to work and advance my skills while learning about the real-life world of science.“
59 Academic Mentors
42 Projects
“SPUR has provided an invaluable window into the everyday workings of academic research as well as the general atmosphere of research teams”
53 Students have participated to date (est. 2020)
100% Students would recommend this programme to a friend
“Ilearnedthatthroughmyprevious volunteeringexperiences,Ihave acquiredavarietyofskillsthatare relevanttomyfieldofinterest(charity sector).Asaresult,Iamnowableto appreciatetheskillsthatIhaveanduse thoseskillstoboostmyCV.”
“I've learned that I needtostop doubtingmyself andmyabilities. Stepping into the world of work as a new graduate isn't easy but I am well prepared for it.”
“I learned so much about my career aspirations ….It reallyhelpedmeto solidifywhatareaI wantedtogointo and what approach I should take to make this happen.”
“I have gained insight into how I am perceived by professionals. It gave me confidence in my skills and abilities. Overall, it was a very important experience to build a confident futureme.”
138 Alumni expressed an interest
33 Mentees (Students)
33 Mentors (Alumni)
472 Students have participated in the Skills for Success Elective to date (est. 2017)
94% Students would recommend the Skills for Success Elective to a friend
2021-22 AT A GLANCE
“It gave me great insight into the professional working world.”
“I enjoyed sharing my ideas with my classmates and hearing their opinions.”
“I looked forward to coming to class each week - was very enjoyable and I learned so much. I honestly am very grateful for this course and the opportunities it has provided. Looking forward to what's next.”
111 Students registrations for EX201/2
3682 CV reviews completed on CareerSet
448 Interview registrations on shortlist.me
562 Student registrations on CareerSet
1070 Enrolments on MU Forage
Maynooth University Student Experience Awards
320
MUSE Awards have been granted to date (est. 2017)
“I have learnt key skills such as communication, collaboration and teamwork. The skills have allowed me to develop and mature mentally”
2021-22 AT A GLANCE
18,176 Verified Activity Hours
103 MUSE Award Recipients (Base and Advanced Level)
Maynooth University Student Experience Awards
Micro Internships have been completed by students to date (est. 2020)
2021-22 AT A GLANCE
New Student Success Scheme launched in 2022
This scheme is an exciting new collaboration between MU professional service units and students. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate students the opportunity to contribute to defined student success projects or activities (100 hours maximum) within the university, thereby enhancing their employability skills whilst collaborating with Professional Service offices and staff.
6 Student Success Micro Internships Offered
General Micro Internships Completed 2
2,075
Students to date have benefitted from an engaged learning experience as a result of Project Live (est. 2020)
"It teaches you better how to work outside of university in the real world and gives you more experience."
"I think it is very interesting and it involves putting theory in to practice which makes you better understand it."
"It’s unique and generally makes students want to engage more because it’s new and different."
7 Projects (Undergraduate and Postgraduate)
5 External Partners
1,260 Student Partners
The Research Question should be formulated in dialogue with the community partner/organisation
There must be clear about expectations and what is required from each partner and what the key deliverables are for each partner
2021-22 AT A GLANCE
7 Student Partners
The Research topic must be relevant and address an issue of societal concern. The findings may be used by both researcher, academic and community partner to address societal challenges
The Research Process requires and acknowledges the expertise of all partners and requires input from each partner.
Research Outputs and Outcomes are agreed alongside the longer-term impacts of the research
25 Individual Research Proposals from External Stakeholders
9 New Research Partnerships have been established up to June 2022
• Climate Response Ireland
• Accenture Ireland
• National Office for Research
Ethics Committee
• Kildare County Council
• Kildare Libraries
• International Makeup Artist Association
Alumni Volunteers who work in:
▪ Medecines Sans Frontiere (MSF or Doctors without Borders).
▪ Enterprise Ireland
▪ DCU
▪ County Councillor
▪ The Reelists
▪ Mindshare World
▪ Fujitsu Ireland
▪ PwC
▪ Amazon Web Services
▪ KPMG
▪ Athy CDP
▪ Kildare County Council
▪ Kildare Town Tidy
Towns Committee
▪ An Garda Siochana
▪ County Kildare
Children and Young
People's Committee
▪ Aldi Ireland
▪ Centaur
▪ Bord Bia
▪ Samsung
▪ Docusign
▪ Enterprise Ireland
▪ Spectrum
▪ Carlow County Council (Carlow County Museum)
▪ Abu Dhabi Investment Authority
▪ Department of Justice
▪ ICBC
▪ Kerry Group
▪ A&L Goodbody Solicitors
▪ Bord Gáis Energy
▪ Matheson
▪ HSE addiction service
▪
▪ Mergon Group
▪ Depaul
▪ UK Met Office
▪ Froebel Lecturer
▪ Logitech
▪ The Educational Research Centre