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DkIT Delighted with Two Teaching and Learning Nominations

22 October 2020

Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) was in a unique position recently as the only Higher Education Institution in Ireland to have two of its staff members recognised as national Teaching and Learning Research experts and receive the key learning impact award for the Higher Education sector.  Dr. Ronan Bree (School of Health and Science) and Dr. Bernadette Brereton (School of Business and Humanities) were among only nine final nominees for the most prestigious, individual teaching and learning recognition in Ireland. 



The National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, in conjunction with the Irish Research Council, recognised the final nine nominees for the inaugural Teaching and Learning Research Fellowship in an online awards ceremony at which the contribution of each nominee was recognised by the President of their Institute and the National Forum.

The Chair of the Fellowship Panel, Professor Frank Coton, spoke of the high quality of the 54 applications from 16 higher education institutions in Ireland for the Fellowship which gave rise to the eventual nine nominees who, Professor Coton described as: ‘an amazing group of individuals’. The Programme and Communications Manager of the Irish Research Council, Emer Cahill, also offered her ‘huge congratulations’ to the nine nominees.

The Chair of the National Forum Board, Dr. Lynn Ramsey, said that the awards ceremony was a great opportunity: ‘to gather together virtually to celebrate these outstanding individuals and their contribution to teaching and learning in Irish Higher Education.’  In awarding both Dr. Bree and Dr. Brereton, Dr. Ramsey said that she was delighted to be able to present them with their awards which ‘celebrated the achievements and contributions in the higher education sector’.

The work of Dr. Bree was introduced and applauded by Dr. Michael Mulvey, President of DkIT, who said:

“The award was a very great achievement and a great testament to Ronan’s continued commitment to the area of teaching and learning and the relevant research in this area. I also congratulate Bernadette on her achievement which is a well-deserved recognition of Bernadette’s long-standing commitment and indeed, her passion for this area’.

Each nominee was awarded a sculpture in wood and perspex of an acorn and a tree. Speaking of the sculpture, the Director of the National Forum, Dr. Terry Maguire said: ‘it turns on its head the idea that acorns are small things to show the enormity of the potential that lies within every seed and the amazing transformative growth that, in the right conditions, will emerge,’ and the National Forum was delighted to have rolled out the awards scheme to recognise: ‘the best of Ireland’s learning and teaching scholars.’

To find out more about the Teaching and Learning Research Fellowship, visit the Fellowship website: https://www.teachingandlearning.ie/teaching-and-learning-research-fellowships/irelands-teaching-and-learning-research-fellowship-nominees

 

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