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ONLY ONE IRISH college managed not to fall in the rankings of international universities published today.
NUI Galway rose 22 places to 249th, while Trinity and UCD went down by 20 and 22 places respectively.
The ranking, compiled by QS World University Rankings, show Trinity College is still the top-performing university in Ireland – in 98th place.
UCD is 176th, while University College Cork fell 50 places to 283. Dublin City University has dropped from 353 to 380.
The rankings from over 4,300 third level institutions puts Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston at number one, followed by Stanford and Harvard.
Breaking point
The Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) believes the status of Irish universities is being brought to breaking point following a decade of government enforced financial cutbacks and staffing cuts, combined with rapidly increasing student numbers.
IFUT General Secretary, Mike Jennings, said that Irish universities can expect ongoing undermining of their standing internationally.
While rating systems are deficient in significant ways they do indicate how our education system is monitored and evaluated worldwide.
“Government policy towards funding and staffing in the sector is the primary cause of the current malaise. Between 2007 and 2014, state funding for universities fell by 28%, from €722.8m in 2007 to €522.2m.
“This was matched by an increase in full-time enrolment in our seven universities of 18%, from 78,577 in 2008 to 93,023 in 2014.
“It is shocking to realise that student to academic staff ratios were worse in 2011 than those described in the report of the Commission on Higher Education (1967) and increased from 19.4: 1 in 2007 to 23.0: 1 in 2011.”
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Great age. Left a legacy. RIP
Superhero
Weird thing is, he will still make cameos in every marvel film for the next 100 years.
@Shawn O’Ceallaghan: yeah. I was reading a week or two ago that he’s already filmed a lot of cameos in advance due to his age.
@Damien Hawe: haha I was wondering if that would spell the end of the cameos..guess not..
@Shawn O’Ceallaghan: I’m so happy about this
Ah no. Loved Stan and all his amazing work. RIP
I’ve known the name Stan Lee probably since I was five. Created inspired characters, deserved all the success he got. RIP
Excelsior .
I’m 43 years old & am saddened to read this. Marvel comics were such a huge part of my childhood & being able to share them & the movies with my children has been a source of great joy to me. Thank you for the memories Stan Lee. R.I.P.
R. I. P. Never really was interested in comics.. And the only marvel movie I’ve enjoyed or cared for spiderman. Superb age to live to and he’s made millions of people very happy with his work.
@Acedeuce: loved Rogue Trooper as a kid from the comic 2000 AD
Gibbons and Finley Day were inspired by Lee
Huge loss of an icon
@Quentin Moriarty: great comic
Absolutely legendary marvel Stan Lee Rest In Peace & Good age 95
I’m sure nothing made him happier than to see his creations come to life, to a worldwide audience over the last decade with the Marvel cinematic universe. RIP Stan Lee
A sad day. RIP Stan.
With great power comes great responsibility………RIP Stan Lee
Sheldon will be saddened!
Ah no… :( RIP
RIP Stan Lee. Thanks for everything. Excelsior
Okay, so he made a decent knife….but what else did he do?
Thank you for all the amazing characters and stories. RIP
A real Legend.
The World would be a much duller place without the Genius of Stan Lee, he has entertained the planet for decades…
Rest in Peace Stan Lee… Excelsior…
May he rest in peace.
Rest in peace. Legend. What a life
Eternal Excelsior in peace.
Legendary creator he will be missed so much excelsior Stan
xmen was about the emerging gay culture stan was about acceptance wya before his time
The geeks legend, idol, superhero & GOD will be devastated. RIP thanks for the entertainment
RIP
Excelsior!!!!!!!!
Legend.
Ah no, poor Stan, what a great legacy left behind!! He’ll be missed!!
Sad, he was a big part of my childhood, I still try and uphold some of the ideals his heroes did.
Live long in prosper. RIP
Oh my god
Excelsior
RIP
A great man, brought low by his nearest and dearest.
Hope he’s silver surfin with Spiderman and the fkin Hulk!!!
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