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Focus on Careers as Science Olympics comes to Ireland
Minister Quinn seeks to assist researchers in future career opportunities
Mr Ruairí Quinn, TD, Minister for Education and Skills today [25th July 2011] launched a call for proposals to assist researchers in future career opportunities.
The outcome of this process will be career focussed workshops, seminars and other events during Europe’s largest science event, ESOF 2012, Euroscience Open Forum, which is coming to Dublin next July.
Launching the call Minister Quinn said: ‘Now more than ever science, technology, engineering and mathematics are assuming increasing importance, improving the quality of our lives, and supporting and promoting essential innovation and employment. From food to pharmacy, healthcare and sports to climate and ecology, from business to technology, teaching and human development, science is all around us, and the interconnectedness and multi-disciplinary nature of science is impacting on our daily lives.
These are critical areas of learning in today’s schools.’
The Call for Careers Programme proposals is a challenge to individuals and organisations to propose interactive sessions to advise, inform or support researchers at all career stages.
Proposals are sought under three broad headings: the challenges facing 21st century researchers; the diversity of careers open to researchers; and international mobility and the global researcher.
The Careers Programme is an integral stream of ESOF 2012, which will attract over 5,000 scientists, business leaders, government officials and international media to discuss the best of European science and to address all of the major global challenges, including Energy, Climate Change, Food and Health.
Minister Quinn went on to say ‘ESOF 2012 and the associated year-long programme of science related events that will take place across Ireland will attract the best and brightest from across Europe and beyond.
These visitors and events will inspire and motivate our young people to take up important subjects such as science and maths and therefore next year’s activities will assist in advancing the Government’s commitment long-term in research and development and placing Ireland firmly on the map for science.’
Professor Patrick Cunningham, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government reiterated Minister Quinn’s sentiments at the Launch today, ‘ESOF 2012 is the largest multi-disciplinary science event of its kind in Europe – in effect the Olympics of science is coming to Dublin. It is extremely important that the event leaves a positive legacy by enhancing Ireland’s International reputation for science and for educational outcomes in the key areas of science, technology, engineering and maths.’
The Careers Programme call launched today is a very important part of 2012 and I would encourage all Institutions, organisations and individuals who could propose sessions targeted at researchers in all fields from the physical and natural sciences to the social sciences, medical and technology fields to answer the call.’
The Careers Programme Committee is chaired by Dr. Conor O’Carroll, Research Director, Irish Universities Association. The Committee have been working on the development of the Careers Programme for ESOF 2012 for the last number of months. Dr. Carroll who was at the launch today said: ‘Researchers are driven by curiosity in the quest for new knowledge. Their ability to solve complex problems through critical thinking is a real asset to society and gives access to a wide career path across many employment sectors. The ESOF 2012 Careers Programme will help researchers make informed decisions on their future’.
