Visit of An Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern td to Mater Dei Institute of Education

Computers bridge religious and cross-border divides ... Computers bring religions and learning together ... College of Education promotes ecumenical education through web-based e-learning ... Taoiseach visits Mater Dei to open computer facility ... Northside colleges integrate library and computer services ... Religious leaders promote interfaith education ...

Religious leaders gather to promote interfaith e-learning schools programme

Leaders of the main religions in Ireland gathered in Mater Dei Institute today to promote the new Religious Education programme currently being introduced to secondary schools.

The religious leaders included: Desmond Cardinal Connell (Roman Catholic), Canon Adrian Empey (Church of Ireland, representing Archbishop Empey), Rev. Mary Hunter (Presbyterian), Ms. Gillian Kingston (Methodist), Dr. Nooh Al Kaddo (Director, Islamic Cultural Centre), Chief Rabbi Dr Yaakov Pearlman (Jewish Community), Ms. Elea Wheeler (Buddhist Community).

Religious Education will be examined for the first time at Junior Certificate level in 2003. The Department of Education and Science intends to offer Religious Education to all schools and to extend the programme to Leaving Certificate level as a points-carrying subject. The syllabus was devised by the NCCA and the in-career training for teachers was developed by the Mater Dei Institute of Education.

The training programme (LOGOS - from the Greek meaning 'word') is the first web-based e-learning project to be offered for in-career development for teachers in Ireland. According to Dr Dermot Lane, President of Mater Dei, the e-learning techniques developed for in-service training of religious studies teachers could be extended to other subjects. "The response to our web-based programme has been extremely positive and Logos could become a model for e-learning in other subjects as teachers become more skilled in using computers and the web."

"The new Junior Certificate Syllabus in Religious Education marks a turning point in the way Religion is taught, studied and assessed in our secondary schools. The Mater Dei LOGOS web-based project is an innovative and effective approach to up-skilling the teachers of this new syllabus. I particularly welcome the ecumenical and inter-faith approach of LOGOS and the use of e-learning for teacher In-Career Development". Said Anne Looney, CEO, National Council for Curriculum and Assessment

The Junior Certificate Religious Education course was devised to be used by all schools - including non-denominational schools. It aims to give students knowledge and understanding of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and other world religions. Its purpose is also to give students the skills to appreciate other cultures and to develop attitudes of tolerance in an increasingly multi-cultural society. "The need for Religious Education becomes even more relevant following the events of 11 September last". Said Dermot Lane. "We must ensure that as Irish society becomes more pluralist, the gulf between world cultures and religions is not allowed to develop here. We witness every day the damage caused by mistrust between people of different religious traditions. Education must play a prominent role in bridging religious divides and promoting mutual understanding."

Unique all-island, cross-religions degree in theology

As an expression of cross-border and cross community collaboration in the light of the Good Friday Agreement, Mater Dei and Edgehill Theological College, Belfast introduced a unique all-island, cross-denominational degree in theology (which will be awarded by Queens University Belfast). The Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern td launched new video conferencing facilities that will be used to link students in Dublin and Belfast and took part in a video conference with Dr Dermot Lane, President, Mater Dei, Dr Dennis Cooke, Principal of Edgehill, Professor Ferdinand von Prondzyski, President, DCU and Professor Sir George Bain, Vice-Chancellor, Queen's University Belfast.

Speaking via video-conference link, Dr. Dennis Cooke, Principal Edgehill Theological College, Belfast said, "this is the first time that an undergraduate course in theology, that is, the QUB Bachelor of Theology, is being taught by Protestant and Catholic lecturers in a shared arrangement. I have heard people say: `This is how theology should be taught'. I hope the day will soon come when students for the ordained ministry in every Christian communion in Ireland will be taught in this way. The staff of Mater Dei Institute have reached out in friendship to us. This is a good expression of friendship between people on this island."

According to Dr Lane, the voices of the Christian churches and the major Religions are important contributions in the critical dialogue between information and wisdom, technology and the humanities. "Sometimes they will be prophetic in the search for social justice and at other times they will seek to communicate an alternative form of wisdom whose goal is to enhance the dignity and freedom of every individual." He said.

Mater Dei is linked to Dublin City University and Prof Ferdinand von Prondzynski, President of DCU told the video conference that the education sector has been quick to embrace the benefits of cross-border co-operation. "This joint initiative between Mater Dei and Edgehill is an expression of the parallel links between DCU and Queen's University Belfast. Both Mater Dei and DCU are committed to using e-learning to bring the people, cultures and traditions on this island closer to each other."

Northside colleges integrate computer and library services

The Taoiseach opened new ICT (Information and Communications Technology) facilities at Mater Dei Institute of Education (today Monday 21 January 2002). The facilities are serviced by DCU and integrate Mater Dei with St Patricks College, Drumcondra and DCU. The facilities also include intranet for in-service e-learning for religion teachers and video conferencing - which will be used by Mater Dei as part of its contribution to the joint degree programme with Edgehill Theological College, Belfast.

"The context of An Taoiseach's visit is the provision of funding by the Government to our Teacher Education programme and the integration of the Mater Dei Library with Dublin City University." Said Dr Lane. "With our new computer networks, the Institute's four-year Teacher Education programme can now ensure that our graduates are professionally competent in the area of information and communications technology."

"The facilities and projects which I am pleased to launch today provide a new framework for teaching, learning and research within Mater Dei, an infra-structure which supports not just learning about computers but using networks of computers to engage in collaborative learning." Said the Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern, td. "These newly installed ICT facilities will enable closer co-operation between the Institute and second level schools and between the Institute and other third level colleges not only locally and nationally but also internationally. I warmly welcome these developments and I am pleased that the Government has been able to financially support them."

Mater Dei and St Patricks are linked colleges to Dublin City University and along with computer services, the libraries of all institutions are now integrated into one catalogue. Mater Dei has a particularly valuable library containing many rare ecclesiastical manuscripts.

ENDS

For further information:

Andy McGrady: Mater Dei: 837 6027 ext: 225 OR
Eilis O'Brien: DCU: 700 5127 or 087 205 7125