SSPC Annual Report_2013

EDUCATION, OUTREACH & TRAINING
The SSPC is committed to delivering significant economic and societal impact,
as well as research excellence, aligned with national strategic goals. The SSPC is
dedicated to developing the next generation of scientists through our education,
outreach and training programme.
Education
In July 2013, the SSPC welcomed its first cohort
of its 60 supported doctoral students. The SSPC
structured PhD programme incorporates both
structured and traditional research elements. The
structured element is designed to be both flexible
and adaptable, in order to meet the ever-changing
requirements of the sector. The key facets of the
structured element are credited assessment-based
generic and transferrable skills and core disciplinespecific
modules. In addition, students are also
required to develop and keep a Research and
Professional Development Plan with their doctoral
supervisory team. As employability is at the core of
the student experience, industrial placement is a
key feature of our approach.
Outreach
The SSPC’s bespoke outreach strategy is aligned
with Science Foundation Ireland’s overall outreach
and public engagement strategy for research
centres. The programme engages with, and
communicates SSPC research to, pupils, parents,
teachers and the general public. Outreach
programmes are based upon teacher and scientist
informed curriculum materials, which develop
cutting edge activities suitable and appropriate to
pupils and curricula at differing stages of the Irish
schools system. From July-December 2013 the
SSPC has engaged in over 10 national and local
outreach events, reaching an audience of over
6,000.
Training
The SSPC training programme is developed upon
the existing suite of bespoke in-company training
programmes that were established under the
auspices of the Solid State Pharmaceutical Cluster
(2007-2013). The SSPC academic partners host
training workshops within their host institutions
in order to provide industry partners with
bespoke upskilling and reskilling training with the
pharmaceutical area. The Training programme is
scheduled to commence in January 2014.