I am delighted to be here today for the signing of the new linkage agreement and revised linkage agreements between All Hallows College, St. Patrick's College and the Mater Die Institute with the Governing Authority of Dublin City University. These agreements will ensure growing collaboration between the linked colleges and DCU, and between the linked colleges themselves. All degree programmes of the three colleges will be accredited by DCU. Today is a very significant occasion for third level education in North Dublin.
As all the linked colleges are located in Drumcondra, I am very familiar with the excellent co-operation that already exists between them and the benefits to be derived from working together.
These linkage agreements mark also an important development in the relationship between the State University sector and Institutions of religious affiliation. Whilst ensuring the strongest possible protection to the secular character and mission of the University and for the principle of academic freedom, the agreements provide a collaborative framework for an increasingly urgent dialogue around the burgeoning religious pluralism of contemporary Irish society. A pluralism that will increasingly impact on not only education but on all aspects of Irish life in the future. Citizenship and religious identity, cultural pluralism, the full integration of migrant peoples, comparative ethics are but some of the areas full of research potential. The Governments commitment to these areas of concern has recently been demonstrated in the approval of funding for theological research.
I am pleased that I was in a position to assist with the process which has brought these agreements to fruition. I recall the first meeting I attended with Mark Noonan, President of All Hallows and Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, President of DCU, on 21st February, 2006 to discuss the feasibility of All Hallows becoming a linked College of DCU. Today's agreement is testament to what can be achieved through dialogue and co-operation.
As the linkage agreement between DCU and All Hallows is a new one and as All Hallows College is joining the University Family for the first time, I am sure you will not mind if I concentrate on it in my words to you today.
This new linkage agreement marks a new beginning in the long standing relationship between All Hallows College and DCU. It will also build on the many advantages which are already being enjoyed from the pre-existing relationship. It marks a significant development insofar as, while respecting the independent, legal identities and ethos of each institution, All Hallows College now becomes a linked college of the University with all attendant rights and privileges.
It is rooted both in shared values and strategic objectives, especially in relation to issues of community engagement and development. And it provides for a restructuring of the governance of the College, of cross-representation of University and College staff on relevant Boards and Committees and exclusivity of accreditation and award by Dublin City University of all of the college courses. This will also allow for agreed complementary use of facilities, deployment of teaching staff and joint development of programmes.
There is no doubt that this linkage agreement will greatly enhance the educational and professional experience for students and staff of All Hallows College and DCU. It will mean increased access to high quality third level education, opening up new opportunities for adult learners and potential students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
All and all, we can say that the new and revised agreements will be a great asset to everyone in North County Dublin. They will also facilitate the collaborative development of new initiatives, research and academic programmes.
The relationship between theology and technology, between spirituality and the social sciences, is part of a long and venerable tradition in the academic forum. Over the past few centuries, that relationship has too often been characterised by mutual mistrust and even hostility.
Thankfully, today there is a greater readiness from both sides of the debate to approach each other with a greater level of mutual respect. All Hallows, together with their sister Colleges represented here, can play a very big part in that ongoing dialogue and development.
Just as All Hallows was a pioneer in meeting changed circumstances during the nineteenth century, it is rising today to the changing environment of this new millennium. The College that once produced so many priests to work with communities across the world has now taken on a new role, providing a spiritual home to lay people as well as religious communities. The ongoing vocational shift in Church ministry since the 1960s created a need for, and a blossoming of, the work of lay people in pastoral ministry roles in church and society.
Today, All Hallows is a premier learning centre for ministerial development. It offers a comprehensive theological curriculum. This, in turn, prepares community leaders, parish administrators, priests, teachers, chaplains and youth directors for leadership and management roles in church and society. It builds bricks for the church of the future as well as offering a gospel values based education for community leaders.
I congratulate All Hallows on its development of its many new programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. All Hallows is now seen as a Centre of Pastoral formation, of spiritual reflection and pastoral leadership. Your diverse range of programmes are crucial to equipping men and women, priests and religious for the task of leadership, management and pastoral care both in the church and in the voluntary sector.
These days, there is a growing awareness that education is a lifelong process. All Hallows has been very much in tune with this idea in a way that makes education accessible to everyone. You are committed to academic excellence and to the individual support and development of all students.
I sincerely thank the Governing Authority of DCU for its willingness and co-operation in securing this new and the revised linkage agreements. DCU has established a worldwide reputation in scientific research and technological progress. Todays agreement opens up new and exciting possibilities with regard to second chance education, especially in the North Dublin area and DCU deserves full recognition for the lead it has given.
I want to congratulate all of you on your many achievements. I wish all the academic and administrative staff and all of the students of DCU, St. Patrick's College, the Mater Dei and All Hallows continuing success in the years ahead.
I am sure that by building upon the strengths of each institution, these linkages shall be mutually beneficial and will greatly enhance the educational and professional experience of students and staff in all of the Institutions. Unity is strength - we all join today in wishing this new venture the success which it deserves.
Thank you.
ENDS.