Hello everyone!

My name is Colm Murphy and I am the Education Officer of the Union of Students in Ireland for the Academic Year 2010/2011.

I am a proud graduate of Waterford Institute of Technology (soon to be University of the South East!). I am twenty four and a Wexford man to my core. My career in activism began many moons ago when I got involved in a campaign to stop a thermal treatment plant, known to you and me as an incinerator, being built in my locality. That campaign showed me the force and affect that activism can have and has inspired me to get involved wherever I find myself.

When I got to college, I got involved in student politics and one Bachelor (Hons) degree later I ran for the Education Officer of WIT Students’ Union. After two years as a Sabbatical Officer I decided to run for the USI as I wanted to change a number of things on a national level before hanging up my student political boots.

Some of issues that I want to work on this year include:

• The critical lack of learner feedback on the monitoring of modules in Institute of Technologies and universities. I will pursue a campaign on a national level to correct this.

• I intend to run a number of campaigns during the year on the Maintenance Grant and the BTEA allowance. 

Firstly, to ensure that every student who is entitled to assistance knows how, where, when and to who they should apply.

Secondly, the current situation whereby a student cannot be in receipt of a Maintenance Grant and the BTEA is completely unacceptable. It will put accessing a third level course beyond the means of many people. Every citizen of this country should be supported to go as far in education as their talents will take them and not only so far as their wallets will carry them.

• The Registration Fee. It is no longer true to say that the ‘free fees’ scheme is in effect. 

Students have a right to know where there money is going. I will lobby to cap the fee at it’s current level and explore every avenue to roll it back!

All advice, queries, suggestions and tips on the horses welcome so feel free to get in touch on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Cheers and best of luck for the year ahead!

Colm Murphy