A member of the Athlone IT staff has been appointed to the inaugural Midlands Science expert advisory panel, the aim of which will be to contribute to Science Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM ) programmes going forward with a focus on the Midlands region in terms of its overall reach and impact.
Anne Naughton graduated with a Masters Degree in Computing Science from DIT and has since worked in various roles within the third level education sector at Athlone IT.
Anne is currently working as a Project Officer for ‘Skills for Growth’ with Regional Skills part of the Skills Planning and Enterprise Engagement Unit of the Department of Education and Skills which will aid in building a more complete picture of regional and national skills needs and contributing towards a more robust national response in future.
“The importance of students continuing with science subjects into third level cannot be overestimated. We not only need to prepare them to take on the jobs of the future but we must also help our current workforce to adapt the changing STEM environment through relevant retraining and upskilling. Young peoples’ lives are increasingly influenced by science and engineering in ways that they might still be unaware. I am privileged to join the Midlands Science team and hope that I can contribute to their mission to increase local skills development in this diverse area and also to help improve the efficiency and impact of the great work that is already being carried out in the area of STEM education promotion here in this region,” Anne emphasised, following her appointment.
Jackie Gorman, Midlands Science CEO commented, “this distinguished new panel will bring fresh eyes and original approaches to our strategic plan. I look forward to hearing their recommendations around a wide range of science education and engagement issues and to working with them to ensure that we are constantly rethinking what STEM education means for students here in the Midlands and beyond.”
