NCI Blog

This is a guest blog post written by Dr Yvonne Emmett, Assistant Professor in Education, Centre of Education and Lifelong Learning at National College of Ireland. If you work in education and training or plan to, you know the importance of lifelong learning for personal and professional development. The Master of Arts in Educational Practice at National College of Ireland is an advanced qualification for those working or aspiring to work in a variety of adult learning contexts, including adult and community education, higher education, corporate learning and development functions and educational research. It can help increase your effectiveness as an educator or trainer and open the door to a wider range of employment opportunities.

As you’ve surely heard by now, Artificial Intelligence is a big deal. Whether it’s in healthcare, where AI is being used to diagnose cancer risks 30 times faster and with 99% more accuracy than a human doctor, or in business, where companies are providing 24/7 customer service through the use of intelligent chatbots on their website, artificial intelligence is disrupting all industries and changing how we see the world.

Coman O'Connell transitioned to a career in technology by completing a conversion course in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning through Springboard+ at National College of Ireland. He shares his experience of the course, his career and educational background, why he chose to study a Springboard+ programme at NCI, and the outcome after completing the higher diploma. He also provides advice for anyone considering a Springboard+ course at NCI this coming September. If you're considering a career change or looking to upskill, this post will provide valuable insights into the benefits of pursuing a Springboard+ course.

This is a guest blog post from the Early Learning Initiative at NCI which works to address the problem of educational underachievement in marginalised communities. Sensory play can be a valuable tool for children's development, but the mess it can create often worries parents. Fortunately, there are ways to enjoy the benefits of sensory play without wrecking your home. In this blog post, we'll explore the benefits of sensory play and provide activities that won't take all day to clean up.

Whether you recently completed your undergraduate studies or are mid-career and possess several years of working experience, returning to education and starting a postgraduate degree can be an excellent way to enhance your career, refine your skillset and give you a competitive edge in a busy jobs market.

NCI computing student Naglis Montvilas is a talented athlete who represents Team Ireland in Powerchair, a version of soccer played in over 30 countries using specially modified powerchairs and an oversized football. Naglis is taking part in the Powerchair Football World Cup in Australia in October 2023, it will be his fourth time representing Team Ireland. The team has created a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to travel to Sydney. The money raised will go towards flights, accommodation, playing kits and equipment for the Powerchair Football team.

At National College of Ireland, our mission is to ‘change lives through education’, through brilliant students, expert staff, our collective commitment to access and social justice, academic excellence, and sustainability. One way in which we strive to make education accessible to all is by delivering a wide range of scholarships to exceptional students from both NCI and other colleges, as well as providing discount offers for NCI alumni. Visit our Scholarships & Discounts page to learn more.

Lunch & Learn is an initiative of the HR and EDI team at NCI, designed to allow people working in different areas of the College to share their expertise with their colleagues.

NCI academics take a lunch hour on the first Friday of each month to share their research (on campus and online) with other faculty, staff, students and alumni. The first First Friday of 2023 was presented by Dr Nicole Gross, Assistant Professor in Marketing, NCI School of Business.

It is almost impossible to find an industry or business in our world today that has not been changed by technological advancement in recent times. Whether you are a farmer using agricultural technology to improve crop productivity, or an accountant using automation software to reduce paper usage, technology has streamlined important processes in businesses, allowing them to be more efficient, safer and profitable.