A new student charter published at Mary Immaculate College (MIC) has been labelled “an excellent template” for fostering dialogue and engagement.
The Student Learning and Partnership Dialogue Charter is a bipartite agreement between MIC and the Mary Immaculate College Students’ Union (MISU), the representative body for the students of MIC, which aims to outline the commitments, expectations, responsibilities and underpinning dialogue processes between the College and its students. It is a replacement of the current Student Charter.
Relationships between staff and students “are the central axis of community life here at Mary Immaculate College,” Vice-President of Academic Affairs, Prof Niamh Hourigan stated. She expressed her pride with the partnership which she felt provided “a model for best practice across the HEI sector in Ireland”.
Commenting on the charter, Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Niall Collins TD (FF) said: “The Student Learning and Partnership Dialogue Charter is a wonderful example of how dual dialogue and cooperation can benefit all involved. In their work to continue their renowned care for the highest student experience, Mary Immaculate College are testament to and an example of the high quality of education and care that Ireland’s third level students can expect to receive”.
Speaking on behalf of MIC’s Students’ Union, President of MISU, Aisling Cusack outlined that the charter would play a considerable role in aiding the delivery of a high-quality student experience. “Over the last number of months, we have worked in partnership with the College on this important document. On behalf of MISU, I am proud to have been a part of this process which outlines the commitments, expectations and responsibilities of both MIC and the student body.”
Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon described the initiative as “an excellent template for how dialogue and engagement should be fostered, built upon and maintained”. Flagging that many students at MIC were future teachers, he said will create a template for engage with children in their professional and private lives. “It shows a determination to recognise that the best systems are built by working together with those who will be served by that system and continuously listening to and respecting their views”.
