Irish Version
Maynooth University has consolidated its position as one of the world’s top 400 universities in the latest World University Rankings, published today by Times Higher Education (THE). The rankings, which draw on 150 separate data points designed to capture the full range of university activities, including research, teaching, reputation, industry partnerships and international outlook, place Maynooth in the 351-400 band (between 350th and 400th in the world).
Despite this outstanding performance, the leadership of the University expressed grave concern regarding the general decline in the reputation and performance of the Irish university sector, and were critical of government inaction in the face of a funding crisis that threatens the integrity of the national system of higher education.
Commenting on the new ranking, Maynooth University President, Professor Philip Nolan, said: “While we are very proud to maintain our position in the THE rankings, which are the most accurate and prestigious of the world rankings, we are fearful for the future. The Irish universities are, in general, falling rapidly in world rankings as the impact of a decade of austerity and underfunding shows in our worsening staff:student ratio and a greatly reduced capacity to conduct world-class research. The Irish university system is in crisis, this is generally accepted, but despite the excellent analysis and specific proposals presented in the Cassells Report, we are too slow to act. This inaction threatens the very future of our university system. The Irish university system is, right now, world class, but it won’t be for long.”
“The fact that we have maintained our position in these rankings is due entirely to the hard work and dedication of our staff working under very difficult circumstances” Professor Nolan continued “and I am particularly pleased that the quality and quantity of our research has been recognised."
Maynooth University is currently implementing a strategic plan to 2017 designed to focus and enhance its contribution to education and research. The plan includes new centres of excellence for research, a radical enhancement of undergraduate education, and collaborations with other institutions, domestically and internationally.
This year Maynooth University saw its highest ever level of first preference CAO applications. Maynooth is Ireland’s fastest growing university with more than 11,000 students, including almost 1,600 taught postgraduate and professional students and over 400 research students.
Éiríonn le hOllscoil Mhá Nuad a seasamh i ranguithe domhanda mór le rá a choinneáil
Tá seasamh Ollscoil Mhá Nuad mar cheann den 400 ollscoil is fearr ar domhan daingnithe i Ranguithe Ollscoile an Domhain. D’fhoilsigh Times Higher Education (THE) na ranguithe inniu. Bunaítear an rangú seo ar 150 pointe sonraí ar leith a dearadh le tomhas a dhéanamh ar ghníomhaíochtaí ollscoile san iomlán; taighde, teagasc, clú, comhpháirtíochtaí tionsclaíochta agus dearcadh idirnáisiúnta san áireamh. Tá Ollscoil Mhá Nuad sa bhanda 351 – 400 (idir an 350ú agus an 400ú háit ar domhan).
D'ainneoin an seasamh iontach atá bainte amach ag an Ollscoil, is ábhar mór imní ag ceannaireacht na hOllscoile é an meath atá tagtha ar an gcáil atá ar an earnáil ollscoile in Éirinn agus ar an bhfeidhmíocht a bhíonn aici. Cáineadh an easpa gnímh atá déanta ag an rialtas agus géarchéim maoinithe ann, géarchéim a dhéanann bagairt ar an ardchaighdeán atá ag an gcóras ardoideachais náisiúnta.
Agus é ag labhairt faoin rangú nua, dúirt Uachtarán Ollscoil Mhá Nuad, an tOllamh Pilib Ó Nualláin:
“Cé go bhfuilimid an-bhródúil gur éirigh linn an seasamh atá againn i ranguithe THE, na ranguithe domhanda is cruinne agus is measúla, a choinneáil, tá imní orainn faoin todhchaí. Tá an seasamh atá ag ollscoileanna Éireannacha i gcoitinne ag sleamhnú i ranguithe an domhain mar thoradh ar an tionchar a bhí ag déine agus ag easpa maoinithe orthu le deich mbliana anuas. Tá an toradh le feiceáil sa chóimheas idir mic léinn agus foireann, cóimheas atá ag dul in olcas, agus sa laghdú suntasach atá tagtha ar ár gcumas taighde den chéad scoth a chur i gcrích. Tá géarchéim i gcóras na n-ollscoileanna in Éirinn i láthair na huaire agus glactar leis an méid sin go forleathan. D’ainneoin go bhfuil anailís den scoth agus moltaí sonracha curtha ar fáil sa Tuarascáil Cassells, tá an iomarca moille ann gníomh a dhéanamh. Déanann an easpa gnímh seo bagairt ar an todhchaí atá ag ár gcóras ollscoile. Le cúrsaí mar atá, córas ollscoile den chéad scoth atá ann ach ní mar sin a bheidh sé ar feadh i bhfad eile.”
“D’éirigh linn an seasamh atá againn sna ranguithe seo a choinneáil mar thoradh ar an obair dhian atá ar bun ag baill foirne agus an díograis atá léirithe acu agus iad ag obair i gcúinsí atá thar a bheith dúshlánach. Tá áthas an domhain orm go bhfuil aitheantas tugtha do chaighdeán an taighde agus don mhéid taighde a dhéantar.”
Tá plean straitéiseach á cur i bhfeidhm ag Ollscoil Mhá Nuad a mhairfidh go dtí 2017. Dearadh an plean seo le díriú ar agus le cur leis an obair a dhéanann an Ollscoil ar son oideachais agus ar son taighde. Tá ionaid barr feabhais nua do thaighde, feabhas suntasach ar oideachas fochéime agus comhoibriú le hinstitiúidí eile sa bhaile agus i gcéin luaite sa phlean.
I mbliana, d’éirigh le hOllscoil Mhá Nuad níos mó céad rogha a fháil ná riamh ar iarratais CAO. Is í Ollscoil Mhá Nuad an ollscoil is gasta fás sa tír. Tá breis agus 11,000 mac léinn ag freastal uirthi, lena n-áirítear 1,600 mac léinn a bhfuil iarchéim teagaisc ar bun acu nó ar mic léinn proifisiúnta iad, agus breis agus 400 mac léinn taighde.