The partnership aims to further develop research capacity and enhance international collaboration in the field of adult learning
The School of Education and Lifelong Learning at South East Technological University (SETU) Waterford recently welcomed Visiting Professor Meg Benke from SUNY Empire State College in the United States.
Professor Meg Benke
Meg Benke PhD is former Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at SUNY Empire State College. She has had an extensive career at the college, serving as professor, dean of the Center for Distance Learning, vice provost, provost and acting president. Professor Benke joined the School of Education and Lifelong Learning as a Fulbright Scholar in 2015, before becoming a Visiting Professor in 2018. She is currently working with Dr Helen Murphy (Head of School of Education and Lifelong Learning), Laura Widger (Assistant Head of Department of Education) and colleagues across the School, to help build research capacity in the School and strengthen the engagement of School staff in educational research.
Higher Diploma in Science in Computer Science
Professor Benke met with members of the SETU Waterford management team and teaching faculty in the School of Education and Lifelong Learning. She also connected with staff working on the Higher Diploma in Science in Computer Science, a 24-month Information Communications Technology (ICT) conversion course supported by the School and delivered fully online. The course is designed to allow honours graduates from non-computing disciplines acquire industry-relevant ICT and software development skills, expertise, and practical experience required to become suitable candidates for employment.
International example of supporting re-careering learners
“I am confident that the SETU School of Education and Lifelong Learning will continue to research and innovate in the years to come. Instructional staff continue to study teaching, education and lifelong learning with rigor and creativity,” said Professor Benke. “The project in computer science continues to evolve, serving as an international example of supporting re-careering learners with high attention to success. The completion and success rates are amazing, with high attention to learning analytics and immediate attention through coaching and instructor interventions. The technology and content delivery system should be modelled elsewhere.”
Speaking of the visit, Dr Helen Murphy, Head of School of Education and Lifelong Learning said, “It was great to have the opportunity to engage with Professor Benke in person, to share practice and insights from ongoing research in adult education and lifelong learning.”
School of Education and Lifelong Learning
The School is known for its pioneering work in adult, further and community education, teacher, education and lifelong learning, and has a record of contributing to research in fields such as adult and community education, adult literacy, recognition of prior learning, the continuing professional development of teachers, the professional identity of teachers, intercultural education, virtue epistemology, reflective practice, creativity in education and entrepreneurship education.
Pictured from left are: Dr Mark White, Vice President of Research, Innovation and Graduate Studies, SETU Waterford; Dr Helen Murphy, Head of School of Education and Lifelong Learning, SETU Waterford; Professor Meg Benke, SUNY Empire State College; Dr Derek O'Byrne, Vice President for Academic Affairs & Registrar, SETU Waterford
Photo by: George Goulding