Students are to be represented on the Higher Education Authority for the first time in the HEA's history, ail last week by the Minister for Education, Micheal Martin announced last week. Commencing immediately, the president of USI will sit on the HEA, fulfilling a commitment to student representation given by the Minister when he was in opposition. While HEA appointments are traditionally for five years, the USI president's appointment is a "rolling" one - the appointment is only for the duration of his or her term, after which a successor will take the seat.

USI education officer Malcolm Byrne says that the national union is "delighted" with the announcement. "This has been a long campaign," he says, pointing out that the appointment would give students a voice at the table when decisions are made on funding and third-level policy, including issues like semesterisation.

The Minister also announced the appointment of Dr Don Thornhill, secretary general of the Department of Education, as the new chairman of the HEA.