The Royal Irish Academy of Music
Jack Leahy
News Editor
A proposal that would see the Royal Irish Academy of Music become an associated college of Trinity College Dublin has been brought to University Council and is at an advanced stage, The University Times has learned.
Advanced plans for a partnership between the institutions were revealed in the College’s requested response to the Higher Education Authority’s report on the future of the landscape for higher education in Ireland earlier this year.
The object of the partnership shall be to ‘developing an internationally renowned centre of excellence in the performing arts’ and in education in pursuit of College’s stated vision of becoming ‘a university of global consequence’.
The College was previously involved in an accreditation partnership with Dublin Institute of Technology whereby DIT’s degrees were simply awarded by Trinity, though it is understood that this arrangement will see Trinity play an active role in accreditation, programme design, delivery, recruitment, assessment, evaluation, provision, teaching, representation and support.
Trinity currently has links with Marino Institute of Education, the Church of Ireland College of Education, and the Church of Ireland Theological Institute through their status as Associated Colleges.
If the proposals are accepted, RIAM would work closely with The Lir National Academy of Dramatic Art and the Schools of Education and Drama, Film, and Music. The Lir is located on Pearse Street and the Academy on Westland Row and both stand to increase efficiencies and savings through shared services should the association become formalised.
Association would also allow the College to offer collaborative Masters of Music Education and Doctorate of Music Education programmes. College currently offers a Bachelor in Music Education programme and that degree course is also set to benefit from any formal association of institutions.
The paper, authored by Provost Patrick Prendergast, concludes:
‘Partnership between Trinity College Dublin and the Royal Irish Academy of Music would produce a highly visible centre of musical excellence in Europe and beyond.
‘It would enhance Ireland’s reputation as a force in the creative arts, demonstrated by a dynamic and thriving educational partnership which delivers outstanding 21st century performing artists, composers and scholars.
‘These two institutions have the experience, history and credibility to grow together organically and to deliver on a vision that will resonate throughout Ireland for many decades to come.’
