An initiative to allow third level part-time flexible students, currently learning online through the Faculty of Continuing, Professional, Online and Distance Learning, to complete college courses in their local remote working hub, has been launched on the TUS Athlone campus.
‘Learning in the Hubs’ will have an initial focus in the Midlands under a strategic partnership between Connected Hubs and the Technology University of the Shannon (TUS ), this pilot initiative being targeted at adult learners.
As part of this initiative, 11 Connected Hubs already within the catchment area of TUS Midlands Midwest are participating with plans to expand this network of TUS Learning Gates to all communities which are currently part of the remote working hubs network.
The announcement detailed the following programmes to take place exclusively in the 11 Connected Hubs and newly designated Learning Gates commencing on September 23.
• Certificate in Business in Entrepreneurship (Level 6 ) - the objective being to support potential entrepreneurs, start-ups and others locally with an interest in the world of entrepreneurship;
• Bachelor of Business (Hons ) (Level 8 ) degree programme with plans to to widen participation in third-level education through general business.
This collaboration between Connected Hubs and TUS will bring third-level education to communities throughout Ireland through the National Hub Network, allowing adult learners to learn in a group setting locally alongside their peers.
“‘Learning in the Hubs’ is the latest in a range of exciting new initiatives that we are rolling out as part of our bold ambition to make remote working a reality. This is about bringing remote working and learning into the education sphere and into the heart of our rural communities.
“It’s about working with our education institutions so that everyone can benefit – the students, the colleges and our rural towns and villages.
“I’m really pleased to announce this exciting new initiative today, with a particular focus on hubs in the Midlands and courses being taught by the TUS. I believe that by giving our students that choice to do a course in their local hub, we will breathe new life into towns and villages and change the way education is delivered for the better,” Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Heather Humphreys, speaking at the launch, said.
The Faculty of Continuing, Professional, Online and Distance Learning, TUS, delivers accredited academic programmes from Level 6 to Level 9, online. The Faculty currently has students throughout Ireland.
The Faculty accredited hubs as TUS Learning Gates in 2022, to support its online learners and recognise the value of leveraging the technology in hubs all over Ireland, the objective being to capitalise on the professional spaces within the hubs by making students and lecturers aware of the facilities.
The adult learner can access state-of-the-art facilities within Connected Hubs and contribute to local, regional and national economic development. This is a powerful addition to the range of services available in Connected Hubs.
Affording his thoughts at the launch, Professor Vincent Cunnane, president, Technological University of The Shannon, stated that the ‘Learning in the Hubs’ initiative is an example of TUS delivering on its purpose to provide “leading student-centred higher education that is accessible for all”.
“Referencing our Strategic Plan you will see the plan using the terms ‘Connecting’ and ‘Creating’ and this core theme of our 2023-2026 Strategic plan is very much demonstrated through this collaboration between the ‘Connected Hubs’ and TUS.
“Through this collaboration and the signing of the Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU ), the potential of ‘Connecting’ TUS with 319 co-working hubs nationally will lead to greater accessibility for adult learners (all learners ), enabling them upskill while living or hybrid working locally, delivering on various national policy objectives.
“‘Creating’ is demonstrated immediately through the online delivery of the two new programmes proposed namely a Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Bachelor of Business (Hons ). Going forward, I anticipate that this collaboration will create new graduates regionally, create new opportunities regionally and add value to regional development and growth,” Professor Cunnane stated.
Michael Tobin, Dean of Faculty, Continuing, Professional, Online and Distance Learning, TUS, noted that the ‘Learning in the Hubs’ initiative is a vital expansion of what hubs offer in communities all over Ireland.
“Hubs can effectively deliver third-level programmes online and provide a venue and exclusive programmes, to people living locally – it is a very exciting development,” Dr Tobin added.
The collaboration between TUS and Connected Hubs will enable this concept to be built nationally providing higher education opportunities online across the country, particularly in rural areas where it may not have previously been accessible. It is envisaged that all counties will have a Learning Gate by September 2023.
