The departure of Bill Harris as boss of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) is a real loss to the research community here. Harris will return to the US to take up a senior academic post next summer at the end of a five-year stint. This was always, apparently, his intention.
Harris's straight- talking style and his personal commitment have all helped to raise the profile of research spending where it mattered most - around the Cabinet table. A key factor in his success was the support he received from Mary Harney in Enterprise and Employment.
The good news? Harris will be around to oversee the next round of research funding. But his forthcoming departure is a huge disappointment to the third-level sector.
The ASTI document spelling out the case for and against a return to Ictu is great stuff, a throwback to the days when unions had real power and the workers were actually engaged with their union.
Arguing against a return it says the economic boom has benefited the rich, employers, the self-employed and land speculators. Workers' pay has been restricted while profits have soared etc etc. You get the drift. Returning to Ictu would "diminish our sovereignty" says the document.
The pro-ICTU document is, shall we say, less discursive. The Government will never cave in to Asti when it is outside the tent. "That is the pragmatic reality and it will not change," says the document.
Asti members will vote on a return to Congress shortly. A huge majority in favour of a return is expected.
Academics and others returning to work at UCD this autumn were delighted to find a personal message to each and every one of them from college president Hugh Brady wishing them well. Brady's message in a nutshell - a lot done, more to do.
So, more bad news for the dwindling number of refuseniks out in Belfield. Brady is pressing on his ambitious reform plans.
Last week we congratulated Cistercian College Roscrea on its centenary. But the college is not resting on its laurels. The Class of 2005 has performed spectacularly in this year's Leaving Cert exams. A remarkable 25 per cent of students secured 500 CAO points or more and almost 50 per cent got more than 450 points. Between 85 and 90 per cent of students gained honours in key subjects.
This compares very well with other schools such as Blackrock College and St Columba's, which are also enlightened enough to publish their results.
Interesting to see Mary Hanafin receiving the highest approval rating of any Minister in that weekend poll. It confirms the belief that she is a very good bet to be the next leader of Fianna Fáil - whenever a vacancy might arise!
She is hugely popular with teachers and the general public. Her next task? Building up her own coterie among her party's backbenchers, a group which stands poised and ready to support her - should the need arise.
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