If you are really interested in finding out what current international students think about studying in Ireland you might like to check out the Education in Ireland Student Ambassador blog . I love reading about what they do in their free time etc. It is also funny to hear them talk about the Irish weather I thought it was only the Irish who constantly refer to the weather!! I see that all the student ambassadors met the President of Ireland a couple of weeks ago!! Check out the blog!!
Interested in the pharmaceutical industry check out this free online DIT course! The course starts on 13 May 2013.
DIT, in association with DPS Education and Training Ltd, is going live with the first Irish Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). This three-week introduction to Pharmaceutical Manufacturing will explore how medicines are manufactured and how quality and safety are managed in this highly regulated industry in order to ensure patient safety. Enrolment on the pharmaMOOC is open to all, and the content will be facilitated by Dr. Anne Greene (DIT) and Dr. Joe Brady (DPS).
By its nature, a MOOC aims to make course content available freely online so that prospective students can take a course anywhere in the world. The content in this first DIT course will be presented in a practical and easy to understand format, with videos and detailed supporting materials, practical examples, live streamed sessions, and online collaborations via discussion forums, Facebook and Twitter. A certificate of attendance will be presented to all those who participate fully in the pharmaMOOC and who pass the weekly wrap-up quizzes.
“So you want to work in the pharmaceutical industry?” is aimed at a very broad range of prospective learners from all continents. According to Dr. Anne Greene, DIT School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, “We hope the pharmaMOOC will be interesting to learners, and that they will complete the three-week course. It will also act as a ‘taster’ for DIT’s BSc in the Manufacture of Medicinal Products (DT291), and our Continuing Professional Development courses, e(Bio) PharmaChem and e-Validation, all of which are available on-line, should any learners wish to progress further with their education in the area”
Dr. Joe Brady, DPS, is also looking forward to seeing how learners joining this very innovative course react to its delivery and its content. “Not only is this the first MOOC designed and launched in Ireland, it is also the first of its kind in the pharma sector so we expect quite a lot of interest in a number of markets.”
The MOOC is being hosted on CourseSites, a supported cloud-based learning system provided by Blackboard Inc, CourseSites, which incorporates integrated learning tools that facilitate mobile learning on a wide range of devices, hosts MOOCs for many universities and will allow prospective learners from across the world to avail of the opportunity to sign up for this free online course.
To read more about the pharmaMOOC and to sign up for the course go to https://dit.coursesites.com/
Work and Study in Ireland
International students engaged in full-time study of at least one year’s duration on a course leading to a qualification which is recognised by the Department of Education and Skills currently do not need a work permit to work in Ireland.
Degree programme students can get casual work where they are:
• Registered with GNIB.
• Enrolled on a programme listed on the Internationalisation Register.
• Attending a full time programme of education at or above NFQ Level 7.
• Undertaking a minimum of 15 hours day time study.
• Getting tuition, between the hours of 8am and 6pm per week for a minimum of 25 weeks per annum.
• On a programme of at least one year’s duration.
• Studying a course leading to a qualification recognised by the Minister for Education & Skills.
Students will also be required to comply with the Universal Social Contribution (USC), Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI), employment laws and taxation requirements.
Internship
Students enrolled on courses on the Degree Programme are allowed to undertake an internship where this forms part of their programme. This is subject to the following rules.
The internship or work placement part of the programme cannot exceed 50% of the duration of the programme e.g. a 4 year programme would permit 2 years of work placement. In addition, the employment cannot be in a self employed capacity.
Work placements as part of an academic programme must form an integral part of the programme which contributes to the final award.
Educational facilities must also ensure that the placements are suited to the programme being pursued.
Stay Back Option
It may be possible to stay in Ireland after you complete your studies for the purpose of seeking employment under the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme. This scheme exists to allow legally resident non-EU third level graduates to remain in Ireland in order to look for employment or apply for a green card/work permit.
During their approved stay under the scheme, a student can work full-time (40 hours a week).
The permission under the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme is non renewable.
A student can only avail of the Third Level Graduate Scheme in accordance with the rules below.
To be eligible for one year permission under the third level graduate scheme, a student is required to have:
• studied in Ireland and completed a qualification at NFQ Level 8-10
• an award granted by a recognised Irish awarding body, for example Dublin Institute of Technology, Irish universities, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Institutes of Technology with delegated authority).
Ireland – The ultimate business ecosystem for startups
Interested in Music, Gaming, Audio or Film Courses?
If you are considering where to do music, gaming, film or audio courses I would suggest you consider Pulse College in Dublin. Established since 1990 Pulse College has a fantastic reputation in creative media education! The college offers all types of courses for example their full degree programme in Music Production is excellent they also offer great short programmes like Gaming. You should see the facilities! Simply amazing! Check it out the Pulse College website http://www.pulsecollege.eu
A few interesting points about Dublin
Dublin is a vibrant city filled with trendy pubs, cultural activities and shopping – where everything is generally within easy access. Dublin has experienced tremendous growth in the last decade, but the result is a mix of modern facilities to its historic Georgian architecture and charm.
Dublin is organized into six quarters, and it’s possible to experience all neighborhoods even if you have a short amount of time.
Dublin is scenic, friendly and safe. It also offers state of the art conference facilities. This is important to business travelers and others when choosing to travel places. So, if you’re traveling to Ireland for a meeting and find some spare time in your schedule or wish to extend your business travel for a day in Dublin, consider the following travel tips for 24 hours in Dublin:
1.Tour the Guinness Storehouse and View the City from Sky Lounge.
When you think of Dublin, you think of Guinness. The Guinness Storehouse was originally the fermentation house built between 1902 and 1904. Today, it is one of the most visited attractions in Dublin – a seven floor visitor center that provides a comprehensive overview of the brewing process that goes into the famous stout. It is open daily at 9:30 a.m. and the last admission is at 5 p.m. Travel tip: take the hop on/hop off bus to visit. (Museum Quarter)
2.Tour the Kilmainham Dublin Jail.
Initially built in 1796 and closed in 1924, Kilmainham Gaol (it’s official name) was a prison for men, women and children. The majority of Irish leaders in the rebellions were all imprisoned there, including Robert Emmet, Charles Stewart Parnell and the leaders of the 1916 Rising. It also housed prisoners during the Irish War of Independence (1919-21). This is a busy tourist attraction, but the tour of Kilmainham is worth the time and wait. A tour of the Kilmainham jail may be one of the best ways to understand Ireland’s past and it’s sense of nationalism today. Travel tip: take the hop on/hop off bus to visit. (Museum Quarter)
3.Visit Dublin Castle and Christ Church Cathedral.
Dublin Castle is not an architectural wonder, but it does have an interesting 800 year history. And the 1 hour guided tour is definitely worth taking. From here, take a short walk to Christ Church Cathedral, founded in 1030. It has a rich cultural history which can be traced from the Vikings and the Anglo-Normals to the present. Make sure you head downstairs to the crypt where you can view many artifacts and other historical features. I noticed two somewhat unusual exhibits that are unique to Christ Church Cathedral that you will not see elsewhere. The first is “The Cat and the Rat” (you’ll have to visit to learn its significance). The second is a must-see for fans of the Showtime series, “The Tudors,” because some scenes have been filmed here. There is a display of the wedding costumes used by the actors who played Henry VIII and Jane Seymour who was Henry’s third wife. (Historic Quarter)
4.Tour the Old Jameson Distillery and Enjoy a Whiskey.
Many people believe that whiskey was first distilled in Scotland, but the Jameson Distillery tour will teach you that it first started in Ireland. The tour ends with a Jameson drink of your choice and a whiskey comparison tasting for a few lucky volunteers
Travel tip: take a taxi here to save time. (Museum Quarter)
5.Shopping on Grafton Street and Henry Street.
Dublin is an amazing city that should be walked, but two pedestrian only streets exist specifically for shopping. Grafton Street (South Georgian Quarter) runs from St. Stephen’s Green to College Green. Here, you’ll find popular spots like Brown Thomas (designer retail) and Bewley’s Café. Henry Street (North Georgian Quarter) is located on the north side of the river and you’ll find more of the popular shopping, including Arnotts and Marks and Spencer. Henry seems longer because it extends into Earl Street and further, but you don’t notice the change so don’t lose your spot on the map. On both streets you’ll find a mix of shops, pubs, high end retail and street performers.
Travel tip: it’s an easy 10 minute walk to Henry Street from Jameson Distillery
6.Enjoy a Dublin Pub (The Bank).
Dublin is filled with cafes, pubs and restaurants, so whether it’s lunch or dinner, you should choose a spot where you can sit back and relax. The Bank on College Green is conveniently located near Trinity College, Dublin Castle and Temple Bar, and serves Irish cuisine. The Bank is named in reference to The Belfast Bank, which opened its doors here in 1895 with remarkable Victorian architecture that remains today. My choice: a pint and the Braised Beef & Guinness Stew.
7.Experience Croke Park.
Like other Dublin attractions, Croke Park is located within a convenient walk or taxi ride. Europe’s third largest stadium with a capacity of 82,300, Croke Park is home to the Gaelic Athletic Association. Consider a stadium tour, including the GAA Museum, or check the schedule for tickets to a game, cultural event or possibly concerts. (North Georgian Quarter)
8.Join a Literary Pub Crawl and Stroll Dublin by Night.
Whether you’re traveling alone or with someone else, it always makes the trip more memorable to join others on a city tour. Doing this in Dublin means you should participate in a pub crawl – and a literary pub crawl is perhaps one of the best ways to learn a few details about the city’s past while experiencing Dublin at the same time. My Dublin Literary Pub Crawl began at The Duke where actors Derek Reid and Frank Smith sang songs and shared the stories of famous Irish writers (e.g., James Joyce, Samuel Beckett and Oscar Wilde). Roughly 35-50 people participate in the pub crawl. Remember to grab something to eat before to the crawl! (Temple Bar Quarter)
9.Experience an Irish Music and Dance Night (Dinner Theater Show).
The Arlington Hotel O’Connell Bridge is centrally located and offers daily dinner theater shows that include Irish food, Irish music and Irish dancing. Dinner sittings begin 30 minutes to as much as 1 ½ hours prior to the show, and the meal is fantastic. (Temple Bar Quarter)
10.Join in Dublin Nightlife: A Pint, Whiskey and Music.
Temple Bar in Dublin is a small area where you’ll find restaurants, shops and pubs, but it’s definitely a spot that’s part of the nightlife here.
Getting around Ireland!
IN RECENT years, Ireland’s improved infrastructure network means all areas of the country are accessible within a matter of a few hours. Government investment has all but eliminated the bottle-neck congested traffic systems of yesteryear and replaced them with kilometers of new motorway and bypass routes. Public bus services are constantly being upgraded and a new programme of works to reinstall the Irish railways has begun. For those who prefer to take an intricate look at the Irish countryside, plans are underway to develop some 2,000kms of cycle-lanes that will link all the major towns and cities.
Ireland’s peripheral location on the edge of the Atlantic means that a trip or weekend break to the UK or Europe is only a stone’s throw by air or ferry at any one of the ports and airports throughout Ireland. Alike many European countries, Ireland’s main currency is the Euro, which can save students the hassle of exchanging currency if country hopping across European borders .
If outdoor pursuits is your passion, then Ireland is your paradise. The climate and varied terrains, from lush pastures and desolate bogs to jutting cliffs and crashing tides offer the perfect location for all types of sports. Ireland is becoming one of Europe’s top destinations for hiking holiday as well as being marketed as the perfect backdrop for all kinds of water sports. As small as the country is, you’re never too far away from a secluded, peaceful spot to relax and just watch the sun set over ocean or mountain.
As far as festivals go, there has been somewhat of a trend in recent years of revisiting old fairs where traditions and foods of yesteryear are again revived. A unique experience for the visitor who can watch displays such as corn threshing, hay cutting and horse-shoe making whilst sampling foods like boxty and Irish stew. Old gives way to new and with a population of 40pc under 25, a new era is emerging of exciting ideas and innovative forward thinking. Irish society is also being changed by the amount of diverse new cultures. Almost 10% of Ireland’s population have been welcomed from all over the world to enrich the country’s ever-evolving outward expansion.
It’s never been a better time to study in Ireland, especially if trying to obtain a well-rounded’ education. Irish education is not just about learning, it’s about the experience. To quote a Chinese proverb: ‘Tell me and I’ll forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I’ll understand.’
Irish Culture
IN TERMS of culture and the arts, Ireland is rocking! Over the last few decades, the Irish have once again burst onto the worldwide stage with a renaissance of literature, music, drama and dance.
Riverdance became an Irish dancing phenomenon and led to a revival of associated forms, from ‘sean nos’ and set dancing to the more modern tap, jazz and hip hop. Artists such as Enya, U2 and Van Morrison provide constant inspiration to younger Irish musicians who also look to the ancient tunes penned by O’Carolan, the blind harpist and composer Thomas S Cooke as well as the traditional airs which are reworked time and time again into modern-day hits.
Dublin was also noted as an international centre of music in bygone days and even Handel, who tired of the London scene, sought refuge here to premiere his masterpiece ‘The Messiah’ in 1842. Our literary legacy is timeless and academics constantly use acclaimed writers such as James Joyce and George Bernard Shaw as reference points in research papers and lesson. On a less academic level, classic Irish novels such as Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Oscar Wilde’s Picture of Dorian Gray regularly feature in bookcases in homes all over the world.
One art that Ireland holds precious is the ‘seanchai’ (story-telling) and masters of this field aren’t selfish in sharing their talents, often at the numerous traditional music festivals held all over the country. Ireland’s history has been embellished over the years – particularly by emigrants -with legends and myths of leprechauns and banshees. These tales and folklore have resulted in the hugely successful ‘Hallowe’en’ festivals that are celebrated worldwide today.
University College Cork & non-sticky chewing gum
Chewing gum is sticky – and it does not degrade easily. Professor Elke Arendt of University College Cork has developed a novel process for creating biodegradable chewing gum. She is looking for companies who might be interested in commercialising the product.
Did you know that chewing gum is made from synthetic rubber, softeners, sweeteners and flavourings? It is hard to believe that we actually put this in our mouths!! Synthetic rubbers are stretchy, have strong adhesive properties and are resistant to many chemicals used for cleaning. Reducing the stickiness of chewing gum requires a change in the chemical structure of its rubber base. However, the rubber base also determines commercially important features such as flavour, chewiness and shelf- life. The challenge for the food industry is to develop a non-sticky, chewy biodegradable gum with all the flavour of conventional gum.
Professor Arendt and her research team at the School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork have responded to this challenge by providing the industry with a novel process for the development of biodegradable chewing gum, using cereal proteins as the main ingredients. These natural proteins are modified using technologies and ingredients that increase the elasticity of the cereal proteins so that they can be used as a base material for the production of chewing gum. The technology has been patented and UCC is looking for companies to commercialise the product.
The original idea came from other research work of Professor Arendt in the area of gluten-free cereal products, where the wheat needs to be replaced by other proteins with visco-elastic properties.
Bollywood filming brought huge excitment to Trinity College Dublin yesterday
A cast of 50 actors and extras danced their way across the cobblestones of Trinity College Dublin yesterday for the blockbuster movie EK tha Tiger.
EK tha Tiger is the first Bollywood movie to be filmed in Ireland, let’s hope it is the first of many as we have really enjoyed the buzz around filming such a big Bollywood movie!
What did they say about Ireland?
The film director, Kabir Khan, said that the Irish people he had encountered had been wonderful and very welcoming!
Actor, Salmon Khan, said he had really enjoyed his time filming in Dublin and that with many Indian and Asians now living in Ireland he had been recognised a lot!!