Connecting Technical Minds - Conference June 12th 2024
The annual Technical Training Network Development event will take place on Wednesday, 12th June on campus. This will be a full day packed with interesting topics and, as always, a great opportunity to network with your colleagues and counterparts in other universities.
For those booking from UCD, UCC and DCU please contact your internal co-ordinator for details on how to book a place.
| Time |
Topic |
Facilitator |
| 09:30 – 09:35 |
Welcome & Introductions |
Anthony Cleary
Senior Technical Officer,
Department of Design Innovation
MU Technical Training Network
|
| 09:35 – 10:30 |
Exploring Generative AI: Implications for Technical Officers
Generative AI, a subset of artificial intelligence focused on creating new content, holds significant promise across various industries. This presentation provides an overview of generative models like Variational Autoencoders and Generative Adversarial Networks, illustrating their applications in art generation, content creation, and synthetic data generation. We delve into the implications of Generative AI for Technical Officers, discussing its potential impact on workflows, integration into existing systems, and ethical considerations. Furthermore, we explore future directions, highlighting advancements, opportunities, and challenges, while emphasizing the evolving role of technicians in this dynamic landscape.
|
Dr John Keating
Associate Dean Teaching & Learning, Faculty of Science and Engineering
Computer Science, MU
|
| 10:30 – 11:15 |
Technical Officers and the Research Ecosystem
Prof. Grace Mulcahy will share insights from the UCD Research Culture initiative and outcomes from the recent UCD Research Culture survey, which highlights the areas of focus and positive effects of this programme throughout the institution. This will offer a deeper understanding of the relationship of this initiative to the work of Technical Officers. |
Professor Grace Mulcahy
UCD Research Integrity Officer
|
| 11:15 – 11:35 |
Break / Networking |
|
| 11:35 – 13:00 |
Mastering Challenging Conversations
In this interactive course we will unpack the essential principles needed to engage productively in managing challenging conversations with preparation, understanding and empathy.
|
Reg Friddle
Head of Coaching and Management Skills Development at Preferred Future
|
| 13:00 – 14:00 |
Lunch / Networking |
|
| 14:00 – 14:45 |
Unravelling GDPR and FOI - What it means for Technical Officers
This session will provide an overview of our responsibilities under data protection legislation. How it affects our work as Technical Officers, teaching and dealing with students.
|
Cecily Giles
Data Protection/Freedom of Information Officer MU
|
| 14:45 – 15:45 |
The SFI Sustainable Labs Certification with My Green Labs
SFI Sustainable lab Certification is a new initiative in partnership with My Green Lab, an international organisation aligned with the UN Race to Zero campaign. SFI started a pilot programme in 2023 for wet and dry labs with the aim of a national certification rollout for all labs. Several areas will be covered such as waste management, energy infrastructure, green chemistry, resource management, equipment, purchasing, water usage. Dr Emmanuelle Graciet is participating in the pilot programme. The presentation will detail the certification process, provide useful resources and measures that can be implemented.
|
Dr Emmanuelle Graciet
Associate Professor, MU Biology Department
Dr Una Fitzgerald, Co-Founder of Irish Green Labs
Jack O’Grady, Senior Programme Manager, My Green Lab Ireland |
| 15:45 - 16:00 |
Final Address and Close |
Ana Gutiérrez
Learning and Development, HR |
The Technician's Training Network (TTN) was established in 2020.
The role of this network is to:
- Assess the training needs of Technical Officers in the University
- Provide and discuss information from Technical Officers and Heads of Department on training gaps that Technical Officers may have with a representative from Learning & Development (L&D)
- Work with L&D to develop supports that will enhance the development of Technical Officers in MU, advising on content, potential facilitators etc.
- Help organise these supports with L&D
- Keep your Head of Department updated on your role as part of this network and the outputs of the network
Term of Network: 2 years (December 2022 - December 2024)
The 2022 -2024 TTN Members are:
| Stavros Angelis |
Arts & Humanities Institute |
| Deirdre Daly |
Biology |
| Frances Tinley |
Biology |
| Anne Cleary |
Chemistry |
| Elaine Howlin |
Chemistry |
| James Cotter |
Computer Science |
| Anthony Cleary |
Design Innovation |
| Michael Bolger |
Geography |
| Suzanne Ryan/Ana Gutierrez |
Human Resources, Learning & Development |
| Éamann Ó hÉigeartaigh |
School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures |
This year's events include Networking coffee mornings and a 1 day conference in June.
If you have any queries on the TTN please email learning.development@mu.ie
Staff users of Careers Connect can access careers related resources including,
- CareerSet CV Review Tool,
- Profiling for Success Psychometric tests including Careers Interest Inventory, Learning Styles Indicators and Values Based Indicators of Motivation.
How to log in
Go to Careers Connect
If you are a first time user click on Register here and fill in the required fields. Your registration will be approved by MU Careers Services.
If you have already registered, click on Maynooth University Staff User and log in using the username and password you registered with or reset your password if required.
Go to Resources at the top right of the page.
Career Set C.V. Review Platform provides supports such as,
- Templates to craft a C.V.
- Score My C.V. - upload your C.V. for detailed feedback
- Target My C.V. – Upload your C.V. and Job Description to tailor your CV to a specific role
- Review My Cover letter – Optimise and personalise your cover letter
- Resources and Support – C.V. Templates and Support
CareerSet CV Review platform – log in with the email address you registered with (@mu.ie or @spcm.ie).
It will ask for email address and for a graduation year, (you can enter any year here).
You will be sent an email to the email account you registered with, with a ‘Log me in’ button. Click on this to access CareerSet.
Log in using an email address (@mu.ie or @spcm.ie) and password of your choosing.
A link will be sent to the email address you provided. Click on the link in the email and enter your details. On completion of the test(s) a report will be emailed to you.
Tests available
- Numerical Reasoning Practice test (NRP)
- Verbal Reasoning Practice test (VRP)
- Abstract Reasoning Practice Test (ARP)
- Verbal Analogies Test (VAT -SA)
- Situational Judgement Tutorial (SJTT)
- Learning Style Indicators (LSI)
- Type Dynamics Indicator – (TDI)
- Values-based Indicator of Motivation (VbIM)
- Career Interests inventory – Dodec (CII-Dodec)
Learning & Development provide courses for staff on Cover Letter and C.V. preparation, Interview Skills, Communication Skills and other Professional Skills topics.
Cover Letter, Application and CV Preparation (Course Code: CLCV001)
To book your place through the Employee Self Service portal
Interviewee Skills: (Course Code: INTV001)
To book your place through the Employee Self Service portal
All courses are detailed on the MU Employee Course Directory
