ADDRESS BY MR. NOEL TREACY T.D., MINISTER FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND COMMERCE, AT THE OPENING OF THE NATIONAL COLLEGE OF IRELAND, NCI SCHOOL OF INFORMATICS, RANELAGH, DUBLIN ON FRIDAY 6TH NOVEMBER, 1998 AT 10.00 A.M.

I am delighted, to be here today, to launch the National College of Ireland's School of Informatics, and to officially open, this impressive new studio classroom facility. The new School of Informatics is a welcome complement to this college's existing Schools of Business and Humanities. The use of the studio classroom, is a pioneering development, in Irish Third Level computer education and will be a central part of all of the School's Programmes.

As, I am sure you are all aware, Forfás, who manage the STI Awareness Programme, on behalf of our Office of Science and Technology, at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, have designated this week as "Science Week Ireland". This National Science Week, is one part of a wider Government Initiative, aimed at raising the Awareness of Science and Technology and highlighting its contribution, to economic growth and prosperity. It is therefore, particularly appropriate that the launch of this School and the opening of the studio classroom, should take place during Science Week, given that Information Technology, is one of the most visible and significant applications of technology, in today's economy.

The establishment of the School of Informatics, represents a new departure for NCI, but an entirely appropriate one. Since its establishment nearly fifty years ago, NCI has been an innovator in Irish education. From its earliest days, it has pioneered a student-centred approach to education, putting the student and his/her needs, at the centre of its educational philosophy. Its Mission of Access, Opportunity and Excellence, articulates its vision of being an Institution, that seeks to attain maximum inclusiveness by addressing the needs of the entire community while maintaining the highest educational standards.

The Irish economy has benefited significantly from the new Information Technology driven opportunities. One need look no further, than the impressive list of multi-national software corporations locating here and the ever-increasing number of Irish indigenous Information Technology based companies. Both the multinational and indigenous sectors need a work force with a high level of Information Technology skills.

Recognising the opportunities being represented by the Information Society and driven by its goal of maximising opportunity for all, NCI took the strategic decision, to establish a School of Informatics. In doing so, it undertook to match the demands of industry, for highly skilled Information Technology personnel, with the supply of school leavers, eager to gain employment in this dynamic sector of our economy.

I am particularly impressed, with the manner in which NCI, having established, that it wanted to develop in the area of Informatics, went about achieving this goal. The College established an International Advisory Committee, to offer guidance and support; undertook consultations with industry, to find out its needs and then instituted its School of Informatics.

The School commenced this academic year, with its two-year, full-time National Certificate in Applications and Support. This Programme will produce industry-ready graduates, possessing both the conceptual and practical technical skills necessary, for a successful career, in the IT sector. Commencing September 1999, the School will offer a four-year, full-time BSc in Software Systems. This Programme has been specifically designed, to produce technical professionals, who can gain employment, in the rapidly emerging area of Electronic Commerce.

The School of Informatics also offers an MA in Management and Technology, by research. Under its Academic Director Professor Pier Abetti, this innovative Programme, is designed to educate both technical and business managers, in the principles of technological entrepeneurship. Its aim is to produce people capable of exploiting technology and managing innovation, to achieve sustainable competitive advantage.

The school has developed, in close collaboration with IBM, the NCI Diploma in Information Services and Support. This Programme was designed by NCI, working in co-operation with IBM, to upgrade the Information Technology skills of personnel working in IBM's Technical Support Call Centre, here in Dublin.

Its success can be gauged from the recent comment of one of IBM's Executives, concerning the Programme, who stated "whenever we discuss it, with contacts in the industry, they are amazed by how innovative it is, and by what can be achieved when industry and educational institutions, work together".

I fully endorse these comments. As Minister of State, with responsibilities across two Departments of State, viz. Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Education and Science, I want to see greater collaboration, between Industry and Third Level Institutions. It is only by harnessing this wealth of research experience, that exists in both areas, that we can best use "Science for a Successful Ireland" - which is the theme of this year's Science Week Ireland.

It has always been a part of NCI's educational philosophy, to offer a ladder of opportunity, by which students, who have different needs can access education. In keeping with the College's Mission, the School of Informatics offers an NCEA Foundation Certificate in Science. The course provides a foundation in science subjects, that students may pursue to Certificate, Diploma and Degree level in NCI, or other Third Level Institutions. The course is designed for mature students who did not have the opportunity, to avail of Third Level Education previously. While the course is open to all, the participation of women is encouraged and it is particularly suited to people, who are unemployed or who wish, to change their career.

All of these new Programmes, being offered by the School of Informatics, have at their core NCI's traditional commitment to student-centred education. They have all been designed around the studio classroom model of education delivery. This seeks to replace the passive traditional lecture mode of delivery, by a more interactive 'learn by doing' approach, to imparting knowledge, that results in higher student participation, better attendance at lectures and increased student retention rates. This is particularly appropriate given the recent emphasis on student retention, in Third Level Institutions. The implementation of the studio classroom model in NCI, has been supported by the generous sponsorship of Guinness Ireland. I want to commend them for their generosity and efforts in this regard.

The School of Informatics and its new studio classroom are welcome innovations, in Irish Third Level computer education. They were born out of NCI's traditional Mission and vision and will help to ensure, that this Mission and vision, will be as relevant in the next Millennium, as they have been in this one. They are part of wider developments at NCI, that reflect the College's commitment to providing innovative and challenging education programmes, to equip students, for the 21st century.

It is my great pleasure therefore, to open this studio classroom facility and to wish the Students, the School and the College every success in this very exciting undertaking.