Driving change and innovation
Ireland’s technological sector is thriving. Today, talented STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) researchers, graduates and workers are driving Ireland’s innovation and competitiveness with new ideas and companies. However, to match the
“T he ‘STEM’ acronym has become ubiquitous in discussions of educational preferences, skills needs and economic development,” says Professor Brian Norton. “However, the shorthand of ‘Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics’ sometimes masks the huge diversity of professions and sectors that are predicated on the effective, informed use of diverse technical knowledge, expertise and insight.
“From construction to food, and logistics to social media, there are very few parts of our daily lives that are not touched by, and more often founded upon, technological developments.”
Professor Norton says the reason why STEM education is recognised as crucially important is that it leads to a society which understands the technologies on which it ever increasingly relies.
“Only then are we in the driving seat and resilient in the face of the many challenges which will be presented to us in the future.”
TRANSFORMATION
Turning to innovation is a way to ensure a prosperous future and jobs growth. Much innovation comes from internal processes within a company, but the application of new ideas and technologies are being developed through research programmes that are conducted within third level institutions.
And, although innovation remains tightly coupled with Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, Professor Norton says ‘arts’ should also be added to the equation, transforming STEM to STEAM.
“While recognizing how crucial STEM is, we need to avoid artificial divisions between ‘arts’ and ‘sciences’. For example, newer forms of artistic expression will harness the technologies of augmented and virtual reality. It is likely that the most effective and successful of these will be informed by a strong understanding of the technical potential of these types of media.”
Professor Norton says, as was the case in the early development of previous
‘new media’ such as cinema and now its contemporary, the potential of CGI (Computer Generated Imagery).
He continues: “We also must ensure that we do not maintain equally artificial, and often outdated, notions of what constitutes expertise and the educational preparation required for everyone to reach their full potential. For example, the practical skills of an electrician are as much an outcome of good STEM education as the skills of a developer of artificial intelligence algorithms. In the same way that culinary arts are informed by a scientific understanding of nutrition.
“In many sectors, these artificial boundaries are crashing down. A particularly timely example is in construction. Here, all construction professions are increasingly using shared data to provide a means to conceive and visualise both a building’s detailed appearance and the processes for all aspects of its design, construction and operation.
“Third-level courses, whose curriculum is envisioned from such practical contexts and perspectives, are thus becoming perhaps more important than those based on traditional academic disciplines.”
DEVELOPMENTS
This is the reason why Professor Norton strongly believes the development of Technological Universities (TU) is an important step to meet this critical need, building on the very rich tradition of Institutes of Technology. The Technological Universities Bill, published by the Government in 2015, proposes that two or more Institutes of Technology in Ireland can merge to form larger entities that can apply for designation as ‘Technological Universities’.
The Bill is currently awaiting consideration by the Oireachtas Education Committee, following consultation and amendments. Professor Norton believes there is strong cross-party support for the Bill which is expected to pass successfully. He adds that there are advantages to Ireland creating Technological Universities.
“TUs will mark a step change in the scale, impact and influence of institutions, on a national and international level. They will provide a practice-based education that is strongly informed by context, new discoveries and creativity. Leading edge technical insights and skills will inform all programmes, and graduates will be equipped to continue to learn throughout their lives.
“The creation of such universities will enhance the commendable diversity that characterises the Irish higher education landscape.”