RPL for newcomers

This webinar has four primary aims:

• To explore the role and benefits of RPL in integrating newcomers in higher education.

• To raise awareness and understanding about the application of RPL in higher education.

• To provide some practical insights into how to do this.

• To situate RPL within the wider context of activity to integrate newcomers in higher education, including NARIC Ireland and the National Student and Researcher Helpdesk.

Event Structure:

Welcome: William Beausang, Assistant Secretary at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Opening remarks. (10 mins)

Part I: The newcomer’s experience of RPL (50 mins)

• Waed Al Kuteifan, Chairman Phoenix Foundation:

Setting the scene: A newcomer’s experience (15 mins)

• Carme Royo, Executive Director of EUCEN:

Why RPL is important for newcomers? Steps & considerations involved (15 mins)

• Carme Royo & Waed Al Kuteifan in conversation:

What happened next? Outcomes of RPL for the newcomer (10 mins)

• Charlotte Byrne (Irish Refugee Council):

Newcomers’ experiences and the potential of RPL in the Irish context (10 mins)

Part II: RPL for newcomers – shared learning & practical solutions (35 mins total; i.e. 10 mins each, 5 mins for final contribution)

• Deirdre Goggin, RPL/WBL Research & Development at Munster Technological University:

Insights from the VISKA project & institutional practice

• Dr Jean-Marie Filloque, Lifelong Learning Expert:

Practical learnings from the VINCE project: Validation for inclusion of new citizens of Europe

• Andrina Wafer, Head of International Mobility and Prior Learning in QQI:

The contribution of QQI’s recognition services in welcoming newcomers

• Dr Rose Ryan, Director of Access Maynooth University:

Learnings from the National Student & Researcher Helpdesk

Panel discussion/Q&A Chaired by Jim Murray, Director of Development QQI (30 mins)

Contributors: Waed Al Kuteifan, Carme Royo, Charlotte Byrne, Rosemary Kunene, Deirdre Goggin, Dr Jean-Marie Filloque, Andrina Wafer, Dr Rose Ryan.

Closing remarks (5 mins)

Grace Edge, Project Director of the National RPL Project