Kerry ETB And UCC Sign Memorandum Of Understanding

Posted by

.

Cllr. Jim Finucane, An Cathaoirleach of Kerry ETB and Professor John O’Halloran, Deputy President and Registrar of University College Cork, exchange contracts after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. Also in photo are back from left, Ms. Maria Brennan, Director of Organisation, Support & Development, Kerry ETB, Colm McEvoy, Chief Executive of Kerry ETB, Brendan Griffin TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Seán Ó Suilleabháin, Chairperson of Board of NCOET and Donal Dowd, Director, Cappanalea NCOET.
Photo: Don MacMonagle

KERRY Education and Training Board (Kerry ETB) and University College Cork (UCC) signed an agreement that will see both institutions working together to enhance opportunities for and engagement in outdoor education and training at Cappanalea, The National Centre for Outdoor Education and Training (NCOET), which is based at Oulagh West, Caragh Lake, Killorglin.

The Centre, with accommodation for 50 people is located on 57 acres on the side of Caragh Lake, with access to 120 more acres of wilderness and the wider beautiful countryside around the Centre, including the MacGillycuddy Reeks and Killarney National Park.

Speaking at the signing of the agreement on Monday, Mr. Brendan Griffin TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, complimented both Kerry ETB and UCC on their collaboration to promote Outdoor Education and Training and enhancing outdoor education and training opportunities.

Continued below…

.

“This is a very important day, not only for the two educational institutions involved (Kerry ETB and UCC), but for everybody interested in the outdoors and the huge role that outdoor activities can play in education and, more generally, in society.

Minister Griffin went on to say: “Earlier this year, I invited Kerry ETB and UCC to meet with me and officials to update me on discussions that had been underway between both bodies to explore the possibility of having greater collaboration between UCC and Kerry ETB, through leveraging the magnificent Centre for Outdoor Education and Training at Cappanalea and Killarney National Park Education Centre. “

“The agreement is a commitment to work closely together in the future and to develop Cappanalea, The National Centre for Outdoor Education and Training (NCOET) into a hugely successful national and, indeed, international centre”.

“It also includes the School of Education – where future teachers (including physical education teachers) are educated and where research is also undertaken into education. With the new changes to the second-level educational curriculum, this development is very timely and will help ensure that the correct skills will be available to implement the curriculum.”

“The Centre will provide opportunities for those interested in outdoor activities to increase their level of competence in the activities while also, over time, providing opportunities for existing outdoor education instructors and others to undertake postgraduate studies in Outdoor Education. This will help raise the educational standards of outdoor education and training in Ireland and will help provide people to support the growing outdoor activities market, including making Ireland a ‘go-to’ place for outdoor activities and nature.”

CEO of Kerry ETB, Colm McEvoy said: “With the engagement of UCC, through the agreement signed today, Cappanalea, The National Centre for Outdoor Education and Training (NCOET) enters a new and exciting chapter in its development. We have high expectations for the Centre and I am delighted that UCC has agreed to work with us on this. We believe that this National Centre will become an international exemplar of what is possible in outdoor education and training.”

Comments are closed.

image