Speech by Ms. Jan O’Sullivan, T.D., Minister for Education and Skills at the awarding of RIA Gold Medals on Tuesday 27th January 2015 at Royal Irish Academy Theme of speech from RIA ‘The future of research and education for the island of Ireland’. 1 President, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to thank the President of the Royal Irish Academy, Professor Mary Daly, for the invitation to speak here this evening. It is my pleasure to both present the Academy’s Gold Medals to this year’s recipients, and also to speak to you briefly on ‘The future of research and education for the island of Ireland’. I would first of all like to congratulate the two recipients of the Gold Medals Professor Desmond Clarke, is receiving the Humanities Gold Medal this evening. Professor Clarke is Professor of Philosophy at University College Cork and his research interests lie predominantly in the field of 17th century philosophy. He has authored many books in this field, and I hope he will be interested to hear that I have asked the NCCA to develop a short course in Philosophy for the new junior cycle. That short course will aim to build on previous work carried out by the RIA, and I know that the NCCA will be working closely with you on this development. Professor Werner Nahm is receiving the Physical and Mathematical Sciences Gold Medal this evening. Professor Nahm is Director of the School of Theoretical Physics at the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies. He is a leading international theoretical physicist and was recently awarded the Max Planck Medal for his fundamental work on quantum field theory. 2 The Academy Gold Medals, which are now in their 9th year, have become the premier awards for Ireland’s academic community. Just as importantly, they are recognised as a genuine national expression of celebration for scholarly achievement. Through these Gold Medals we not of course honour those to whom they are awarded. But they also bring to public recognition the exceptional standard and the broad range of work that is being undertaken in Ireland. In awarding these medals we take pride in the achievements of the recipients, and in their work. The awards are made on the basis of an internationally recognised, substantial and distinguished contribution to their fields. Congratulations to both Professors! Higher Education System Performance and Restructuring I would like to take the opportunity this evening to say a few words to you on our higher education system. Higher Education has been instrumental in responding to the challenges that we as a nation have faced over the last number of years. Maintaining the quality of higher education would not have been possible without a transformation by our institutions of they do business. The new System Performance Framework set out the expectations we have of our higher education institutions. 3 It provides the basis for individual institutions to tailor their strategic direction, and to agree performance parameters in so-called ‘compacts’ negotiated with the Higher Education Authority. The System Performance Report submitted by the HEA last year sets out with great clarity and detail how our institutions have been contributing to our social and economic renewal. This new visibility and transparency has allowed Government and leaders in the sector to identify how we are actually performing. This gives us a platform from which we can together enhance the performance and quality of educational provision throughout the system as a whole to the benefit of all. The System Performance Report does caution that the system is under increasing stresses, and that there we must carefully consider how higher education is funded to enable its sustainable development. An expert group, chaired by Mr Peter Cassells, has now been put in place. That group is charged with considering the long term sustainable funding of higher education. I look forward to receiving its report at the end of this year. 4 New Research Strategy I also want to say a few words this evening about the development of a new strategy for research. The Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation will lead on this work, and have recently commenced a process of consultation. The new strategy provides an opportunity for Ireland to develop a whole-ofGovernment approach to research, and is timely as Ireland moves into a new phase of economic growth and social development. It gives us the chance to advance fresh strategic ideas, and to outline a vision for a national innovation ecosystem for Ireland. Our higher education and research community, and those students it cultivates and educates, are a key national resource. Research plays a crucial role in the development of a knowledge economy but also a knowledge society, and in tackling the challenges society faces. It is of course an important cultural asset, and helps us to understand and interpret our past and ever changing present. My Department supports the Irish Research Council as an important part of the national research funding landscape. The Council plays a distinct role in supporting a higher education environment where new and novel ideas, regardless of disciplinary origin, can compete and obtain support. I understand that in the past the Council has supported Professor Clarke and his early work on Descartes, while Professor Nahm is an academic supervisor to one of the Council’s Postdoctoral Fellows. 5 The successful realisation of a Research Strategy ultimately depends on people. It is the people who conduct the research and work in companies that drive innovative performance. One of the most significant forms of transfer of knowledge to industry is through the transfer of people. Our people are the cornerstone of our success – they are known for their innovation and flexibility. We want Ireland to be a place which nurtures talent to meet the needs of an advanced economy, developing our own people, and attracting talent from around the world. Research activity across the spectrum of research fields is pivotal to maintaining a vibrant research eco-system. The growing interdisciplinary nature of research, and the role of humanities in societal challenges, mean that support for these areas must be protected if Ireland is to succeed in the global arena. The new Strategy needs to also recognise the role that education plays from our secondary school system, right through to undergraduate and post graduate levels. It must understand the impact of each of those levels upon our research and innovation performance. The connection between research and teaching within our higher education environment is critical. 6 We must ensure that our graduates are educated by staff in tune with the latest research in their particular field. Research activity influences the quality and relevance of teaching in our higher education institutions. It ensures that students are learning from staff with an understanding of, and access to, the latest knowledge in their field. It is the calibre of our graduates’ education that is pivotal to Ireland’s future success. It is my pleasure to have shared some of my thoughts with you this evening, but I would particularly like to take this opportunity to again congratulate this year's Gold medallists, Professor Desmond Clarke and Professor Werner Nahm. I am delighted that through these Academy Gold Medals we are able to acknowledge your outstanding achievements – hard earned over a lifetime of passionate commitment to the highest standards in scholarship. I wish you my personal congratulations, and every continued success. Thank you. 7