18 September 2000
CROSS BORDER PARTNERSHIP VITAL SAYS FARREN
"Cross border co-operation in education is vital if we are to develop the knowledge and skills base we need to compete effectively in the 21st Century", the Minister for Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment, Dr Sean Farren said today.
Speaking at the Monaghan Education Centre Graduation Ceremony in the Four Seasons Hotel, Dr Farren also payed tribute to the work being done by the University of Ulster, Outreach Centres, promoting opportunities for individuals both North and South of the border.
Dr Michael Woods, Minister for Education and Science in the Republic of Ireland joined him at a presentation to 20 teachers who successfully completed a MSc in Educational Management in a programme run jointly by Monaghan Education Centre and the University of Ulster.
Dr Farren said: " I am very pleased to be here in Monaghan to mark the achievement of these individuals who have demonstrated commitment and dedication in pursuit of this academic goal. Teachers are no different from others in the workforce in that they must constantly update their skills to take account of the changing environment in which they work.
" I commend all the teachers who participated in the course, particularly the efforts of Teresa McDonnell, one of the course participants who received the Biggar Prize from the University of Ulster for obtaining the highest mark of all the Masters Programmes run by the Faculty of Education. This is a great credit to you, Teresa, and to your lecturers, and the sort of good publicity a course would wish for in the first years of its operation.
"This Partnership between Monaghan Education Centre and the University of Ulster is tangible proof of the co-operation which exists between the North and South of Ireland and what can be achieved when it is nurtured and developed. It is an excellent example of the many collaborative ventures being undertaken by our education establishments."
Earlier in the day Dr Woods turned the first sod at the nearby 1.5 acre site of new premises for the Education Centre for which plans have been completed and building will commence shortly.
Media enquiries to Kevin Mulhern / Elaine Lavery Press Office 028 9025 7790 mobile 0779 9711523
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The Monaghan Education Centre provides a locally based support system for everyone involved in delivering education in County Monaghan i.e. teachers, parents, boards of management.
The provision of in-service courses for professionals working in education is the main focus of the Centre's work and a service is provided to 760 teachers. The Centre also provides an IT service to County Monaghan, and half of Counties Louth and Cavan, embracing 147 schools and 1519 teachers.
The 20 teachers who have completed the MSc in Educational Management are from Monaghan, Cavan, Louth, Armagh, Tyrone and Fermanagh.