Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2008/2009
Date: 22 October 2008
Venue: Room 135
The meeting opened at 10:35am in public session.
Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
Members noted a number of tabled items including:
- A departmental paper on proposals for an efficiency review and recovery process in relation to Belfast Metropolitan College
- Correspondence from Professor Peter Gregson, President and Vice-Chancellor of the Queen’s University of Belfast, dated 16 th October in relation the proposed merger of Stranmillis University College with Queen’s University
- Publication of Members attendance at Committee meetings during the 2007-2008 session
- The August edition of the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) newsletter
1. Minutes of the meeting held on 15 th October 2008
Agreed: The minutes were agreed.
2. Briefing from the Transferors Representatives’ Council on the Committee’s Review of Teacher Education
The Committee received a briefing from representatives of the Transferors Representatives’ Council (TRC): Reverend Robert Herron, Chair of the TRC, Miss Rosemary Rainey, Vice-Chair of the TRC, Reverend Ian W Ellis, Secretary of the TRC, and Reverend Dr. Donald Watts, Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, on the Committee’s Review of Teacher Education. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
3. Departmental response to evidence sessions relating to the Committee’s Review of Teacher Education
The Committee received a briefing from Departmental officials: Catherine Bell, Deputy Secretary, and Fergus Devitt, Director of Higher Education Division, providing the Department’s response to the evidence sessions relating to the Committee’s Review of Teacher Education. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
12.16pmMs Ramsey left the meeting, Mr Newton took the Chair
4. Matters Arising
Agreed: Members noted and discussed the preliminary report of the Training for Success Disability Working Group produced in July 2008. The Committee agreed that, subject to consideration of the views of interested groups, the Chairperson write to the Minister endorsing the recommendations of the report and requesting a Departmental briefing on its response to the recommendations.
Members noted correspondence from both the University of Ulster and Stranmillis University College relating to the Committee’s Review of Teacher Education.
5. Chairperson’s Business
Members noted a number of items of correspondence and agreed responses. The Committee also noted a number of forthcoming events to be attended by the Chairperson and/or Members.
6. Departmental Press Notices
Members noted a number of Departmental press notices issued recently.
7. Any Other Business
Agreed: Members noted a research paper from the Assembly Research Services entitled “Mergers in Higher Education: Lessons from international experiences” and agreed that it should be added to the agenda for discussion at the next Committee meeting.
The Committee noted the Departmental quarterly research review.
Agreed: Members also noted, and agreed, a paper relating to Committee meetings and visits outside of Parliament Buildings.
8. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 5 th November 2008 at 10.30am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:31pm.
