From left to right standing: Donnchadh O'Madagain, Director of Finance at NCI, Veron Robert, Rachel Gosker, Faith Wainaina of NCISU, Karen Jones, Registrar at NCI, Bertie Kelly, Commercial Manager at NCI.

From left to right, seated: Professor Gina Quin, President of NCI, and Tre Robert, NCISU President. 

On October 28th, 2025, National College of Ireland and NCI Students’ Union proudly signed an updated agreement that places the success and well-being of students at the centre of their partnership. 

NCI and NCISU were among the first Higher Education Institutions in Ireland to sign a Partnership Agreement. In 2022, when the Partnership Agreement was established, it provided a framework for meaningful, proactive student engagement, setting out the principles and structures that would guide how NCI and NCISU would work together to ensure that all NCI students have the most successful and enjoyable experience possible during their time in the College. 

The Partnership Agreement follows guidelines for best practice led by the National Student Engagement Programme (NStEP), a HEA-funded joint-initiative with QQI. NCI and NCISU already worked closely on initiatives, where appropriate, including in areas such as the coordination of consent training and a cross-college process for confidential reporting of bullying and/or harassment. NCI and NCISU have also co-designed a refreshed Student Complaints procedures and are in the process of co-designing a new Student Hub. 

In 2022, Oisín Hassan, Programme Manager, National Student Engagement Programme (NStEP) said, "NCI and NCISU were one of the first five pilot higher education institutions that joined the National Student Engagement Programme (NStEP) in 2016, helping us to build a vision for greater student engagement in decision-making across the sector. Their new partnership agreement is a testament to the work that NCI students and staff have been carrying out over the past number of years to really embed collaborative partnership across the College. On behalf of the NStEP partners in QQI, HEA, and USI, I'd like to congratulate all the team at NCI and NCISU for this brilliant initiative. Student partnership has a bright future at NCI." 

The relationship between NCI and NCISU is crucially important because across the College, NCI staff work together to ensure that all students feel safe, included, and supported during their studies. The NCISU team is dedicated to ensuring that student voices are not just heard, but that they are active in conversations about activities, policies, and initiatives that impact students across our Mayor Square and Spencer Dock campus buildings. Updating and resigning this Partnership Agreement reaffirms the ongoing efforts that are continuously made between NCI and NCISU to ensure that students have a positive and empowering experience, keeping their well-being and success at the focus of all the College aims to do.  

This Partnership Agreement renewal aligns with the development of a new Student Charter. Karen Mooney, Student Support and Welfare Manager states, “This Charter has been developed as part of the partnership between NCI and NCISU. This charter is not just a document; it’s a reflection of the culture of NCI. By living the values in the charter each day, we can build a culture of respect, belonging, and shared purpose that helps everyone, staff and students, thrive.” 

The Student Charter: 

This Student Charter is a shared understanding between students and National College of Ireland. It outlines what students can expect from the College and what the College expects from students in return. The Charter promotes mutual respect, responsibility, and partnership helping everyone work together to create a positive, supportive learning community. 

This Charter has been developed in conjunction with NCI Students’ Union and forms part of our Partnership Agreement, reflecting our joint commitment to an excellent student experience. 

NCI’s Commitments: 

We are committed to providing students with: 

• Accessible, quality education at a time and pace that suits the student’s situation and aspirations. 
• A learning environment and resources that support and stimulate students and enable them to realise their full potential. 
• An environment that promotes continuous improvement. 
• Courses of the highest quality. 
• Accurate information about all programmes and expectations. 
• Assessment of learning that is fair, valid, and timely. 
• A range of mechanisms to ensure the student voice and experience informs College decision making and delivery. 
• A skilled, qualified, and supportive faculty and staff who will treat all students with courtesy and respect and be responsive to student needs and concerns. 
• Fair and consistent enforcement of all College policies and procedures. 
• A healthy and safe environment that promotes a positive learning experience. 

Student Commitments: 

We ask students to commit to: 

• Take charge of your own learning and produce work to the best of your ability. 
• Participate actively in all learning situations. 
• Make effective use of the facilities and services provided and plan your use of resources in a responsible and considerate way. 
• Comply with assessment regulations and use assessment feedback to inform your continued learning. 
• Participate in programme-related committees and reviews through your student representative network and provide honest and constructive feedback within the opportunities provided. 
• Identify problems and concerns and address them to the appropriate people in a timely and constructive manner. 
• Treat all members of the College community with courtesy and respect. 
• Have an awareness of the impact that your behaviour can have on other students. 
• Act in a manner that promotes, supports, and respects the rights of fellow students, faculty, and staff to a safe and supportive learning environment. 
• Abide by all College policy and procedures. 

Behaviour and Conduct: 

Students are expected to behave respectfully, responsibly, and in a manner that reflects the values of the College community. The College will not tolerate behaviour that undermines the safety, dignity, or learning experience of others. 

Where a student fails to meet these expectations particularly in relation to behaviour, respect, or conduct the matter may be escalated and referred to the College’s disciplinary process. Such matters will be handled fairly, consistently, and in accordance with the College’s established procedures and policies. 

In support of our commitment to continuous quality improvement, we provide a range of feedback mechanisms to students in relation to all aspects of the learning experience. We encourage students to use the feedback channels to tell us about their views and concerns. On our part, we pledge to listen to all feedback carefully and to use it constructively in planning forward. 

Current NCI Students’ Union President, Tre Robert states, “The launch of the Student Charter shows how far we’ve come in building a stronger student voice at NCI. It reinforces our shared values of respect, inclusivity and accountability, and it reflects the kind of culture we’re all working towards, one where students and staff stand side by side to create the best possible college experience.” 

#ChangingLivesThroughEducation