Each course begins with a taster session at which the tutors outline their planned programme also explaining to the student that they can ask for specific topics or other subjects to be explored. The tutors use short hand-outs on different subjects to stimulate discussion but they are directed by the interests of the group and are encouraged to follow their lead by being flexible with the modules they teach (no shackles of Learning Outcomes here). This project is a good example of what can be achieved through partnership between different sections of the public service in implementing policy for the benefit of wider society. In some cases students have been stimulated to begin thinking about returning to education in a more formal setting, such as our Return to Learning 2022 course. For some, participation in the programme is enough in itself to forge new relationships with people in their own communities and combat a sense of isolation and loneliness especially in the Post Pandemic era. The mix of ages and genders has been very important in achieving this. The Communiversity is at the forefront of Maynooth University’s mission for social inclusion, diversity and equality. This is MU in action in the community and extending the campus nation wide.
Beginning in October 2022 if anyone is interested in joining the Clondalkin Communiversity contact Sallyann (sallyann.alexander@sdcpartnership.ie) and get to sample Politics, History, Classics (What have the Greeks and Roman’s ever done for us?) and Criminology over the
next few months every Monday morning.
For Leixlip Library contact Sinead ( sinead@countykildarelp.ie ) where people will be able to participate in History, Economics, Anthropology and EU Law and Human Rights.
In Spring 2023 we are planning on being back in Coolock Library so contact Paul in the Northside Partnership (paul.hayes@nspartnership.ie ) and for Crumlin, Walkinstown and the South Inner City contact Asia in the South City Partnership (asia@dscp.ie)
A very exciting development is underway in bringing the initiative into a second level school Pobalscoil Neasain in Baldoyle for Transition Year students under the title ComMUniversiTY. We have started a pilot bringing non-curricular subjects such as Psychology, Philosophy, Anthropology, Irish Cultural Heritage, etc. into the classroom has been enthusiastically received by all involved.
The Department of Adult and Community Education is happy to talk to any Local Partnership Companies or Local Development Companies or other interested parties who have links into the community about the possibility of setting up a Communiversity in their area. Listen to Dr. Derek Barter Director of the ComMUniversity speak about the programme and its links to Access, Lifelong Learning, Adult Education, and Learning for Fun on NEAR FM HERE