April 7, 2008...5:22 pm
Dragons Den (1)
The conference is nothing if not politically topical. Outgoing National Union Of Students’ President, Gemma Tumelty won the ‘Dragon’s Den’ session with her proposal for a short pilot on mapping the level and impact of student engagement taking place within institutions. Perhaps it was the low cost, high impact approach she took to selling the project to delegates, perhaps that it actually seemed possible, perhaps that it simply is the idea of the moment.
Whatever it was, it was the clear winner over the other proposals. Second place was shared between the development of institution wide schemes for all students to improve their skills and confidence in sustainable development from Ann Finlayson and Lord Dearing - yes, that Lord Dearing - on high level transferable skills. Another topical suggestion, but he aimed his project away from the traditional field of vocational diplomas and employer engagement and towards the humanities environment. Where earlier societies built their development through castles or through manufacturing, he was certain that in the 21st century, higher education will propel society forward.
Not doing as well was the idea from Sir Martin Harris to create a dedicated stream of funding that will support schools in raising the aspirations of young people at schools. Without tapping into all the talent (another topical phrase, no?) none of the other proposals would be possible, maintained Sir Martin. And is it too cynical to be completely unsurprised that the request from Patrick Dunne for all institutions to look at their Court and Council structures received the least support?
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