New section for students on HEA website will help to reduce information barriers
HEA Chief Executive urges people from diverse backgrounds to consider higher education
New section for students on HEA website will help to reduce information barriers
“We must be vigilant to the risk of information deficits presenting a barrier to participation in higher education”, states HEA Chief Executive Tom Boland. As the February CAO deadline approaches, Mr. Boland today launched a comprehensive new section of the Higher Education Authority website designed to provide clear and concise information for those thinking about going on or returning to higher education.
“There remains significant untapped potential in communities all over the country, and higher education is one of the most important ways that this potential can be realised– for the benefit of the individual, their community and society at large”, stated Mr. Boland. “We know that recession has brought a very real risk of long-term unemployment taking hold once again in Ireland. Raising the skills levels of our working population, up to and including third level, is perhaps the most effective course of action we can take to position Ireland for a rapid recovery and a brighter future for all our people. However, we must do more to get the message across to all in the community.”
It is well documented, nationally and internationally, that information deficits regarding opportunities in higher education and related issues such as routes of entry and financial support can represent very real barriers for potential students, especially where there is not a family history of higher education participation. According to Mr. Boland, “we must remember that people without the necessary information on the benefits of higher education and what's on offer are unlikely to pass through the gates of our colleges. The development of a new student section of the HEA website is designed to help bring down some of those information barriers.”
The new student area of the HEA website being launched today complements the HEA's award-winning website on financial support for further and higher education, www.studentfinance.ie, which was launched in January 2008.
The new addition to the HEA website is designed particularly with potential students in mind and their families who need clear, introductory information on higher education. There are six parts to the student area in all, including sections on 'Opportunities in Higher Education', 'What to Study and Where to Go', 'Applying for a Course and Student Life'. Comprehensive links between the new student area and a range of other websites providing more detailed information on particular topics is a key feature.
The HEA’s National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2008-2013 has set out a range of participation targets for the higher education sector. Achieving the targets will require the system to attract more students into higher education from groups that may traditionally have pursued other options and are most likely to have poorer information than other groups on the benefits of and opportunities in higher education. The information initiative being launched today seeks to assist in redressing information barriers and is one element of a broad package of actions outlined in the national access plan.
The new section can be accessed by clicking on the 'Student' tab on the homepage of the HEA website (www.hea.ie).