HEI FET Forum Online Seminar

Theme: "Who Cares? Inclusion and equity for practitioners and learners in FET"

• Where: Online
• When: Thursday 23 April 2026, from 10am - 1pm

An opening address will be given by Minister of State Marian Harkin TD with special responsibility for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate Skills.

This seminar seeks to examine aspects of the evolving identities, practices, and values that shape contemporary Further Education and Training (FET), with regard to both practitioners and learners. The seminar addresses themes of identity, inclusion, equity, and parity. By asking who cares, the seminar seeks to offer an opportunity to critically examine what it means to teach, learn, and participate in FET today. 

Key topics among the invited presentations include teachers’ professional journeys, culturally responsive practice, universal design for learning, the common good and compassion in FET. These draw on research already undertaken or currently in progress. Seminar programme available here.

Hoping you can join us for some or all of the morning. There is no cost for attendance.

Chaired by Dr Anne Walshe, the HEI FET Forum brings together nine higher education institutions working in teacher education for the Further Education and Training (FET) sector: Dublin City University (DCU); Marino Institute of Education (MIE); Mary Immaculate College (MIC); Maynooth University (MU); National College of Art and Design (NCAD); National College of Ireland (NCI); South Eastern Technological University (SETU); University College Cork (UCC); University of Galway (UG).