Diversification and Advancement
A comprehensive diversification plan was drawn up by the College management in an effort to offset dwindling student numbers to its B Ed programme.
This plan included proposals for a Bachelor of Arts degree, postgraduate degrees in education and arts, curriculum development projects, in-service programmes including postgraduate teaching diplomas, community education, a community leadership programme and the teaching of English as a foreign language. The plan was presented to the Minister for Education, Ms Mary O’Rourke and was approved by her with the recommendation that the proposed programme be put into action. Negotiations with UCC involving the offering of a BA degree course in Mary Immaculate College were completed in February 1990 and the BA programme was approved by the senate of the National University of Ireland.
Unexpectedly, the necessary approval of the Department of Education to offer the degree was withheld following a Government decision to review the future of all the Colleges of Education. Pending the recommendations of the Review Body, the Department advised “that further action on the BA degree be postponed until a decision on the future status and funding of Mary Immaculate College had been taken” (Letter from Mr. C.N. Lindsay, Dept of Education to Sr Angela, President).
Passing on the Torch - a History of Mary Immaculate College 1898-1998 (Published 1998), pg 71 - 73.
