Extended Campus creates and supports collaboration to Employers and Community between CIT and Enterprise

Learning Case Study

CIT College: National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI)

Partner: Irish Naval Service (INS)

Engagement Type: Customised Learning Solutions

Solution: Level 8 BSc(Hons) in Nautical Science

“The engagement on board with BSc in Nautical Science provides a Bringing learning to the high seas and completed by the officers and at sea with demonstration to the incorporating the Irish Naval Service’s the support of a workplace mentor. wider community, work practices was key to customising an Flexible Learning Solutions both maritime and Honours Degree programme. academic, of the There were a number of key elements which As INS invests significant resources in the training contributed to the success of this engagement. Naval Service’s and education of its cadets and officers, it In particular the flexibility of how the transformation to a programme was structured, supported and actively partnered with CIT National Maritime learning institution.” delivered, this included: College of Ireland to develop this Level 8 Lt. Cdr. Peter Twomey programme. Prior to this, the absence of an  The INS personnel's previous formal and Irish Naval Service informal workplace learning was recognized for honours degree programme hindered INS entry to the course. personnel’s academic progression to a level 9 qualification or beyond.  The workplace itself became a centre for learning. The Need  The planned day to day activities of the “I found work based The INS required a BSc (hons) in Nautical Science students were integral parts of the course learning a very prac- programme which incorporated their specific modules. tical way of study- learning requirements in addition to the more  Mentors were appointed by the INS to support ing. The modules were general areas of nautical science. Being active the workplace learning. structured to enable members of the naval workforce, Officers and Cadets’ absence from the workplace had to be me to familiarize limited. In order to ensure that the learning was myself with the theo- relevant and appropriate, the INS needed to be retical background of partners in the design, development and subjects and then assessment of the Honours degree programme. identify how this re- The Solution lates to my day to The NMCI and INS designed a customized path day practice.” which included specialist elements in the degree Lt. Cdr. Peter Twomey, Aisling Aisling O’Flynn programme. The four specialized modules were O'Flynn and Cdr. Sub - Irish Naval Service

T: +353 (0)21 4326017 E: [email protected] 2012 W: www.cit.ie/extendedcampus

The four specialized modules were designed to meet the needs of the Naval Service and the dissertation topic is negotiated with the INS to ensure its relevancy.

The partnership arrangement between INS and NMCI staff, ensures joint responsibility for assessment standards.

Challenges These two public sector organisations have diverse partnership arrangement. “It also creates a workplace cultures. Their joint commitment to Naval Officers who assisted in the support and continued pool of finding workable solutions prevented it from assessment of learning material completed becoming an issue. Level 8 graduates several CIT-led workshops in mentoring and within the Naval Sensitivity was required regarding course material, assessment of work based learning. as the knowledge is fundamental to the marine Officer Corps, through defences in Ireland. Benefits of the Engagement to the INS a value for money process, while Factors which contributed to the success The engagement met the academic and maximising the The long standing relationship between CIT, NMCI professional requirements necessary to operational and the INS, was fundamental to the success. qualify and educate Naval officers to carry out availability of the Significant negotiation took place between CIT There is now a cadre of Naval Officers at students to seagoing representatives (including the registrar’s office), management level with the skills to envisage, the head and staff of NMCI and the head of the duties.” participate, design and prepare a specialist Naval Officer Training School. Who’s Who targeted course. Lt. Cdr. Peter Twomey A memorandum of understanding was put in place Irish Naval Service The professional and academic development to ensure standard operating procedures for the of Naval personnel was enhanced. smooth delivery of the programme within the

Who’s Who

Irish Naval Service National Maritime College of Ireland

The Naval Service is the State's principal The National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) seagoing agency with a general responsibility to is the first third level college in the country to be meet contingent and actual maritime defence built under the Government’s Public-Private requirements. Defence roles include defending Partnership scheme. territorial seas, deterring intrusive or aggressive In this case the public partners are the Cork acts, conducting maritime surveillance, Institute of Technology (CIT) and the Irish Naval maintaining an armed naval presence, ensuring Service (INS) and the private partner is Focus right of passage and protecting marine assets Education.

Contact: Contact:

Officer Training School National Maritime College of Ireland Ringaskiddy National Maritime College of Ireland Co Cork T: +353 (0)21 4864739 T:+353-(0)21-4970600 W: www.navy.ie W: www.nmci.ie

T: +353 (0)21 4326017 E: [email protected] W: www.cit.ie/extendedcampus

2012