Head of the Enterprise Academy joins Higher Education Authority panel
The System Performance Framework 2023-2028 was launched on 25th September by the Higher Education Authority at an event held in South East Technological University in Carlow. The framework sets out parameters under which higher education institutions will set out their unique contribution to the achievement of national strategic priorities and outcomes, as appropriate to their mission, scale, location, and strategic plan.
Welcoming the launch, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, commented: “The publication of the new System Performance Framework represents a significant step forward in our ongoing journey towards creating a world-class higher education system that is accessible, adaptable and aligned with the evolving needs of society.
Speaking to attendees at the event, CEO of the HEA, Dr Alan Wall, commented: “I am delighted to launch the new System Performance Framework today and would like to thank institutions for their support and engagement throughout the framework’s development. The framework animates the HEA’s legislative responsibility to strengthen the performance of individual institutions and to ensure institutions’ accountability. The framework is also designed to be flexible and responsive, enabling institutions to demonstrate their unique input to the delivery of national priorities and the strength of the higher education and research system as a whole.”
Four pillars of the framework – Teaching & Learning, Research & Innovation, Access & Participation, and Engagement
HEIs will identify performance objectives under each of the four pillars of the framework – Teaching & Learning, Research & Innovation, Access & Participation, and Engagement. These objectives will be set out in performance agreements, developed through engagement and dialogue with HEA and published on the HEA website. In their performance objectives, HEIs will also reference the transversal areas of impact identified by the framework, reflecting national system level priorities such as Student Success, Climate and Sustainable Development, and Digital Transformation. Together, the pillars and transversals of the framework present institutions with a flexible mechanism to identify performance objectives that are aligned to institutional strategy and to address challenges and opportunities such as the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI).
Head of TU Dublin Enterprise Academy joins the panel
As part of the launch event, the HEA hosted a discussion on the priorities, challenges and opportunities for the Irish higher education and research system over the period 2023-2028. The framework and its implementation were discussed by panellists representing each of the four pillars:
- Professor Marie Clarke, Dean of Undergraduate Studies, University College Dublin (Teaching and Learning);
- Professor Jim Livesey, Vice President for Research and Innovation, University of Galway (Research and Innovation);
- Dr Carolann Bargary, Access Officer, Technological University of the Shannon (Access and Participation); and
- Dr Claire McBride, Head of the Enterprise Academy, TU Dublin (Engagement).
The panel was chaired by Mr Tim Conlon, Head of Policy & Strategic Planning, HEA.
System Performance Framework 2023-2028
The System Performance Framework 2023-2028 sets out the parameters under which higher education institutions can identify their ontribution to the achievement of institutional and national strategy as appropriate to each institution’s mission, scale, location, and strategic plan. The framework is comprised of four pillars representing the key domains of institutional activity – Teaching & Learning, Research & Innovation, Access & Participation, and Engagement – which intersect with a number of transversal areas of impact that reflect national system level priorities for the higher education and research system. Together, the pillars and transversals of the framework present institutions with a flexible mechanism to identify performance objectives that are aligned to institutional strategy.