NUIG and GMIT have issued a joint call for their students to take part in the National Student Survey 2021 to give feedback that can help improve the colleges.
The survey, now in its ninth year, is open to all first year and final year undergraduate students, as well as students on taught and research postgraduate programmes.
Questions relate to students’ experiences of higher education, including their academic, personal, and social development, as well as focusing on student engagement such as the learning experience, interaction with faculty and support services and activities.
Some of the changes which have been introduced as a result of past surveys include the Student Information Hub and Graduate Mentor scheme in GMIT, and the CÉIM academic peer support programme at NUIG.
Aedín Ó hEocha, Assistant Registrar at GMIT, said “In previous surveys, GMIT students have consistently rated the quality of their interactions with staff and the effectiveness of teaching highly.
Feedback from students is especially important given the changes that COVID has brought to Higher Education over the last 12 months.
“It is more important now than ever before that students let us know what we are doing well, and where we could improve.”
Last year, 44,707 students in 26 higher education institutions took part in the survey and almost 40% of eligible students in GMIT and NUI Galway participated.
The education landscape is very different this year, as both NUI Galway and GMIT have been operating almost entirely remotely due to COVID-19, which has necessitated drastic changes to teaching methods.
It has also had a very large impact on the student experience outside of the lecture hall or classroom, as students have not been able to experience much of the campus life that is so integral to college life.
Professor Michelle Millar, Dean of Students at NUIG, said that in last year’s survey they had the highest level of student engagement of any university in Ireland.
“It is testament to the value that our University community places on high standards and of giving people a voice, particularly our students.
“We want to maintain these high levels of engagement and satisfaction and learn from our students’ experiences, particularly the impact of Covid-19 and digital learning on student life and education.”
Students can take part online by going to studentsurvey.ie from today Monday 22 February until Sunday 14 March.
