Back row (standing left to right): Aleksandra Petniunaite (Vilnius University), Marlene McCormack (DCU Institute of Education), Dr. Sergejus Neifachas (Vilnius University), Viktorija Trumpickaite (Vilnius University), Samanta Sidabraite (Vilnius University), Dr. Edita Musneckienė (Šiauliai Academy), Prof. Charlotte Holland (DCU Institute of Education), Greta Norkeviciute (Vilnius University), Dr Renata Geležinienė (Šiauliai Academy).
DCU Institute of Education: Global Reputation Rising as a Centre of Excellence in Teacher Education
The reputation of the DCU Institute of Education as a centre of excellence in teacher education is growing globally evidenced by its meteoric rise in international university ranking exercises since incorporation in 2016, where it now rests just outside the top 100 at an international level in the discipline of education. Over the past year, ten ministries of education and associated agencies from other countries in Europe, US, Australia, and the Middle East, have visited the Institute seeking counsel on a range of matters including; teacher supply, pre-service education and in-service teacher training models across early childhood education, primary, post-primary, and further education.
At present, the DCU Institute of Education is involved in a high-level consultancy project contributing to the reform of teacher education in Lithuania. The project funded by the Lithuanian Government from 2021 to 2023 will lead to the creation of a centre of excellence in teacher education through the incorporation of Šiauliai Academy with Vilnius University. Over 20 DCU Institute of Education staff are providing expert advice and guidance on matters including; teacher education programmes, continuing professional development for in-service teachers, doctoral research programmes, digital learning strategies and the internationalisation of policies and practices.
Commenting on the consultancy project, Professor Charlotte Holland, Deputy Dean of DCU Institute of Education said;
“Partnership, innovation and collaboration are the cornerstones of the international work undertaken by the DCU Institution of Education. Our recent work with Vilnius University and Šiauliai Academy has involved engagement with scholars in areas such as internationalisation, digital learning, STEM education, inclusive education and visual arts, with a focus on addressing priorities within teacher education programmes from early years to further education here in Ireland and in Lithuania.”
As part of the agreement, the DCU Institute of Education hosts visiting scholars and students from Vilnius University and Šiauliai Academy, to provide opportunities to explore the Irish education/ teacher education systems, policy and processes. Two recent visitors, Dr. Renata Geleziniene and Dr. Edita Musneckiene commented:
“At Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy we work in programs with a similar profile, so it was very important for us to get to know how studies and research are organised at DCU, to learn and share experiences with colleagues. We chose to do a research internship at DCU because the Institute of Education creates a dynamic research environment with a progressive shared culture and ambitious strategy.”
Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy is the biggest higher education institute located in Northern Lithuania, with a history of over 70 years in educational excellence. The university's Centre of Educational Studies is highly regarded and provides for a wide-range of teacher training programmes.