New partnership between TUS and remote hubs

Minister Heather Humphreys and Minister Simon Harris have officially launched a new initiative that will allow TUS third level part-time flexible students who are learning online to complete college courses in their local remote working hubs.

‘Learning in the Hubs’ is being rolled out initially in the midlands under a partnership between Connected Hubs and TUS. The pilot is for adult learners, who will be able to carry out course work and attend classes in groups at Connected Hubs facilities.

Dean of Faculty, Continuing, Professional, Online and Distance Learning at TUS, Dr Michael Tobin, gave the opening address at the launch on Wednesday week last: “When we look at the learning scale concept and the ‘Learning in the Hubs’ in particular, it’s about that supportive learning space for that online student.

“Our academics can deliver their classes online from the hubs and that is why the hubs are so important to us from a regional perspective. We can enable people to remain in their communities, to remain living locally, impact the environmental sustainable goals.”

Starting in September, the following programmes will take place in the 11 Connected Hubs, which include Mullingar e-Working Centre, Stream Birr, The Junction, Tullamore, and newly designated Learning Gates: Certificate in Business in Entrepreneurship (Level 6) and Bachelor of Business (Hons) (Level 8.)

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, said: “My ambition when I came into the department was to make Ireland the first choice provider of remote working hubs in the world.

“I see such potential for remote working hubs. It’s about connecting with your universities and having that access in rural areas because, with new technology, there is nothing that we can’t do in rural Ireland that we can’t do in the cities.

‘Learning in the Hubs’ is an exciting new initiative that we’re rolling out as part of this bold ambition to make remote working a reality for tens of thousands of people. I believe that this new partnership between connected hubs and TUS will be a game changer for adult learners.”

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris, said that we need to move beyond the idea that to get the full-time college experience, you have to be a full-time student. “We have to be able to offer the full quality education to people on a part-time basis.” He said that it’s important that just because someone is studying remotely they shouldn’t feel alone.

“There’s a world of difference between trying to do your college degree in the box bedroom of your parents’ house or at the kitchen table while the kids are running around after you’ve done a full day’s work, and being able to go to a professional set-up in your community to be able to mix with other people.”

The minister said he will be working very hard ahead of the budget to make sure that part-time students will also be able to avail of grants.

“We also need to invest in student accommodation and I’m giving you my absolute word here today on behalf of the government of Ireland, if and when TUS can come up with a plan, we’ll help write the cheque.” He added that in 2024 the government will begin a major plan for student accommodation.

He also called on Westmeath County Council to change the signs on the way into Athlone to say TUS instead of AIT.

President of TUS, Professor Vincent Cunnane said: “Today we’re building on the work of the TUS Faculty of Continuing, Professional, Online and Distance Learning and the Department of Lifelong Learning in recent years, where they now have 11 TUS learning gates across the region, and this is a faculty that delivers all of its programmes online.

“Through this collaboration and the signing of the MOU (memorandum of understanding) , the potential of connecting TUS with 319 co-working hubs nationally will lead to greater accessibility for adult learners enabling them to upskill while living locally.”

Interim CEO of Western Development Commission, Alan Mulrooney, said the hubs will provide adult learners with “an unparalleled opportunity to embark on their educational journeys right in their local communities”.

“The aim is that every single county in Ireland will boast a hub learning gate in conjunction with the university. Together we will forge a path towards a brighter future for adult learners and further enable our hubs to contribute to economic and social development in the communities of all shapes and sizes across the region.”

Head of the Department of Lifelong Learning at TUS, Seadna Ryan, said: “It’s critically important whatever support a student needs at any stage of that learning journey that we are there to support them. That won’t change with the learning gates, in fact, it will get better.”