Personal Professional and Political Development

A new model for learning in the 21st Century
Professor Pauline Murphy
University of Ulster

Background

This paper will focus on a successful innovative and creative model of education, training and learning initiated by the presenter. This PPPD model is person centred, based on a philosophy of self-development and continuing learning and which integrates a range of multidisciplinary modules in a holistic design and delivery.

Range of Programmes

Each course stands as a programme of learning in its own right or may be regarded as a step on the carefully planned Access Progression Route for Women Returners. Courses range from a pioneering outreach programme reaching women throughout Northern Ireland, delivered in partnership with the NGO sector and colleges, to a kite marked access courses; Certificate in Information Technology Studies & Professional Development, which has been franchised to 8 colleges of Further and Higher Education in Northern Ireland. A Diploma in Telematics and Management Studies was developed in the context of a European funded action based research programme, the European IRIS Telematics project. This diploma may also be taken as the first year of a two year accelerated degree BSc Honours Professional Development which was introduced in 2001. A Postgraduate Diploma for unemployed female graduates was introduced in 1998 in the context of a European Funded New Opportunities for Women Transnational Programme. Research informing the development of design and delivery of this course includes researching employers’ needs and their perception of graduate skills required, use of ICT including world wide web design and delivery as a tool for managers and sensitising employers to the potential added value of women in management.
The aims of the course include:

1. To provide vocational education in the acquisition of knowledge and skills in Information Communication Technology, Management Theory and Practice, Business Entrepreneurial Skills, Business French, European Awareness, Women & Social & Political Issues and Work Placements.
2. To facilitate personal, professional and political development of women, to enable them to realise their full potential in civil society, in local and community involvement in formal and informal politics.
3. To enable women to continue their education to a higher level or to gain employment in sectors where women are underrepresented at supervisory or middle management levels, or to generate self-employment or small business creation.

Innovative Features

1. Innovation in curriculum design; person centred approach.
2. Research informing the design and delivery of courses.
3. Regional development in delivery in partnership with other educational providers.
4. Involvement of employers and transnational partners in research and evaluation.

Questions for discussion

1. Is this a transferable model?
a. to other target groups
b. to other institutions

2. What institutional changes e.g. organisational culture change might be necessary for successful introduction of the PPPD model?
3. Implications for staff development?


Professor Pauline Murphy


Some Publications

• Murphy P & Cush C. (1999) Interim Evaluation Report; Employers’ Perception of Graduate Skills in Northern Ireland; Implications for Gender. (University of Ulster)
• Murphy P. (1997) Personal, Professional and Political Development in Globalisation: Adult Education and Training; Impacts and Issues. Zed Books, London (pp99-109)
• Murphy P & Kelly G (1995) Overcoming Obstacles for Women Returners in Rural Areas, Evaluation Report of an EU Action Research Transnational Project, Germany and Northern Ireland, University of Ulster (pp1 – 83)