Crisis?

Surely the Independent could have chosen better examples than this - "Herbal Science" at CIT and "Wine & Beverage Management" at Tallaght IT?

I think most students cover both of these in a less formal fashion over their college education anyway without taking up a diploma in it.

As regards the shortage of students taking up courses in engineering and computing, well I believe that it's a direct result of what students experience in the school system. Engineering is not one of the most commonly offered subjects in schools and computer (to my knowledge) is only taught on a "need-to-know" basis and not as an exam subject.

Time to go back to the grass-roots of the system and see what's really going on.