Celtic connection

Professor Martin Jones at Enniscorthy Vocational College.

Professor Martin Jones at Enniscorthy Vocational College.

06 June 2012

Students and lecturers of Theatre, Film and TV Studies are set to be the first beneficiaries of a new Memorandum of Understanding which has been signed by Aberystwyth University and Enniscorthy Vocational College (EVC), County Wexford, Ireland.

The three year agreement was signed on Thursday 31st May 2012 by Professor Martin Jones, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Participation and Collaboration at Aberystwyth University, Mr Liam Sharkey, Head of Media Production at Enniscorthy Vocational College and an alumnus of Aberystwyth, and Mr Morgan Dunne, Head of the Board of Management at the College.

Under the terms of the agreement staff at the Department of Theatre Film and TV Studies at Aberystwyth will work with colleagues at Enniscorthy College to develop the curriculum there, with particular focus on Further Education and Training Awards Council Level 6 courses.

Once set up, Enniscorthy students who successfully complete the level 6 course will be able to progress onto the second year of a relevant degree programme at Aberystwyth University.

Enniscorthy students will also benefit in the form of conditional offers for entry to relevant degree programmes at Aberystwyth University, subject to the applications being presented through UCAS by the 15th January deadline.

The Memorandum builds on well-established links between the two institutions which have seen a number of Enniscorthy students progress onto degree schemes in Theatre, Film and TV studies at Aberystwyth University.

The MoU also provides for staff working in specific areas of level 5-6 curriculum at Enniscorthy to be eligible for free postgraduate study at Aberystwyth University.  

Professor Martin Jones Pro Vice-Chancellor for Participation and Collaboration at Aberystwyth University said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for two Celtic institutions to work together on an agreement which will see students from Ireland being able to continue their education with one of our leading departments at Aberystwyth University.  

Developing international partnership agreements is a core strategic objective for our University and we are delighted to be working with Enniscorthy on such an exciting initiative.  We look forward to strengthening further our relationship with our Celtic colleagues and to providing high class educational development opportunities for students for many years to come.”

Speaking for Enniscorthy Vocational College, Mr Liam Sharkey said: As a former student of Aberystwyth University, I am delighted to reconnect with the place from which I have such fond memories, and now, to pass on the opportunities and the memories to our PLC graduates in Enniscorthy, is the fulfilment of a long cherished ambition.”  

“We are honoured and privileged to be entering this new era of cross channel educational co-operation with an institution of the calibre of Aberystwyth University. We look forward to widening and deepening this understanding for the benefit of both of our communities,” he added.

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