13/11/2024
The RSUA Education and Careers Committee met online today.
Jenny Russell updated committee members on RIBA plans to improve funding for architecture courses, including better space requirements. Jenny and her colleague Adrian Malsom, along with RSUA Director Ciarán Fox and committee member Alan Jones met with the finance team at Queen’s University to discuss funding for architecture courses. Ciarán and Alan proposed that Northern Ireland be used as a trial to see how much it costs to run an architecture course. Once statistics on these costs have been provided by Queen’s University, the same will be requested from Ulster University. Jenny Russell will provide an update on this at the next meeting in February 2025.
The Committee discussed engaging with Work+, following the pilot programme with Antrim and Newtownabbey Council to address the lack of opportunities for post primary work experiences in the council area. It was reported that five schools engaged in the programme, 27 employers (none of which were architects) and 75 pupils. Ciarán reported that RSUA will continue to engage with Work+ so that RSUA can get involved in the campaign for 2025.
Committee Chair, Jenny Harper will meet Amanda Stevenson from the CITB ‘Adopt a School’ programme to discuss the RSUA and CITB collaboration. An update will be provided at the next committee meeting.
Also discussed at this meeting was the ARB consultation on a new code of conduct and practice for architects. It was agreed that RSUA would seek volunteers from the wider membership to form a working group to draft a response to this consultation, alongside committee members. Ciarán reported that the consultation will be discussed at the next Council meeting on Monday 18 November and council members would be asked to consider joining the working group.
The Education and Careers Committee will next meet online on 19 February 2025.
