About the SOAR Project
The SOAR Project is an inter-institutional collaboration on Access. It brings together the South Cluster – Institute of Technology Carlow, Munster Technological University, University College Cork and Waterford Institute of Technology together with community partners to collaborate on devising and delivering strategies to increase access to higher education for under-represented groups. The Project is funded by the Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) Strand 3.
OUR VISION

Scaffold aspirations, achievement and access through socially-inclusive learning environments and community embedded mentoring.
TRANSFORMATIONAL GOALS
The SOAR Project have identified five high-level transformational goals. These ambitious long term goals are interrelated and interdependent, they involve culture, practice, service, and methodology and create the optimal environment to significantly widen participation and increase access to higher education for under-represented groups. The SOAR Project in design, development, implementation, and evaluation will endeavor to further these goals as they influence and determine project work streams, objectives and actions.
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SOCIALLY INCLUSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
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TRANSITION READINESS
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COMMUNITY EMBEDDED MENTORING
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ENHANCED ACCESS KNOWLEDGE & SERVICE
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CROSS-CLUSTER & COMMUNITY COLLABORATION
Soar PROJECT Updates

Welcome to the SOAR Project website, great to have you visit! We hope you find it useful in learning about us and our work. Please do check in regularly for updates on project developments and delivery.
READ MOREWonderful to see the inspirational @LMCDART in the line up for @MTU_ie #IWD2021 event 👏
Don't miss @LMCDART journey, from inspiration received from Ms. Gubbins @LoretoFermoy to @MTU_Crawford, find out more on Mon, 8 Mar, 1pm at the #MTUEmpoweringWomen event. Register FREE: https://t.co/26Bc7zaa9i #IWD2021 #ChooseToChallenge @womensday @NorahCasey @Love1solidarity
Some excellent events @NUIGAccess today for #TravellerEthnicityDay. IUA warmly welcome the allocation of €300,000 in funding to HEIs for students from Traveller communities progressing to higher education...via @thejournal_ie👉 https://t.co/MWR3TSYvCc
@IUA_EDI @CDownesAccess https://t.co/lEA8Fs8Cgk
A genuine partnership approach between @ACEUCC and Traveller Projects facilitated the co-creation of this culturally responsive and inclusive programme.@ucc @sotuama @AnneBur27018840 @AnnMarieRogan2 @OliveByrne3 @HEAaccess
Thanks @SoarForAccess for a superb report. We @ACEUCC are very proud of our work with the amazing Traveller women on this Diploma course. This past year has been very difficult for them but their commitment to their studies is inspiring. Can’t wait to see them graduate @UCC https://t.co/i1HVEC2zt6
The stories shared during this research still play on my mind. The women's perseverance is to be admired. We need to be cognisant of all the barriers and injustices experienced by Travellers and engage in a process of reflexivity. Wishing every success to the Pavee Beoir Leaders https://t.co/aOUsbEhKMY
Developing models of best practice that support under-represented groups access higher education is central to @SoarForAccess Pavee Beoir Leaders is an excellent example, check out the evaluation report here https://t.co/JnrpmbEd5h
Please share https://t.co/O4nlYiWZfA
Late registrations for #HPAT-Ireland extended to 5.15pm GMT on 3 February. No further registrations will be accepted after this date!
https://t.co/Syyf9Yngfr
Take an interactive tour of WIT from the comfort of your own home and see for yourself why WIT is the Sunday Times Institute of Technology of the Year 2021 #CAO2021 #StudyatWIT
The graduates of 2020 are among those who can apply for 90% subsidised full-time @ComputingAtWIT, @GradbusWIT and #Engineering postgraduate programmes starting this January. https://t.co/jLbbWjqAIB
#HEAR & #DARE application timelines
We strongly recommend students to apply via https://t.co/9ge6kRQbPa as soon as possible & start gathering the required documentation.
For further information log onto https://t.co/SNajPYeFnd Email queries to hear@cit.ie or dare@cit.ie
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Tip for teaching online:
Keep it simple
Create a dialogue with your students and between your students (breakout rooms), learning together is far more fun.
You do not have to be talking all of the time. Give students tasks and check-in with them.
Register now for the DARE application information session taking place Saturday 9 January at 10am. Visit https://t.co/IwpRI8sPbB to find out more #StudyAtWIT
https://t.co/Wq7PuNK0sl
The South Cluster PATH 3 SOAR Project welcome this announcement and look forward to building on existing initiatives to further the access agenda @SoarForAccess @UCC @CITAccess @CITTravellerEd @ittralee @ITCStudentServ1 @waterfordit @itcarlow @OliveByrne3 @deirdre_dore
Great news to share with HEIs. PATH 3 funding to continue for another three years. PATH 3 is already showing impact in reaching communities and students and spreading the word about higher education @SimonHarrisTD @DeptofFHed @THEA_Irl @IUAofficial @WeAreTUDublin @hea_irl @TheUSI https://t.co/68znM92e5X
Congratulations @LMCDART it is beautiful!
@nolan_christine @CIT_Crawford @CITAlumni @CITAccess Thanks, Christine!! 😀
Don't forget Whidden Workshop for Traveller & Roma students takes place today @MEND_CC @CITTravellerEd @tvgcorkclg @UCCPLUS @ITCStudentServ1
Are you a #Traveller or #Roma student who may be considering going to #furthered or #highered next September? The second workshop in the Whidden Workshops series, ‘It’s Kushti to Rokker’ will take place via Zoom tomorrow at 11am
https://t.co/D2Sr5eXof1
#travellered #studentvoice
Was privileged to be a panellist at @YSInow Speak Out in Cork when @Davismallow students presented this powerful project, blown away by the amazing students, what a poignant and important legacy.
National Missing Person's Day today - Introduced in Ireland 8 years ago as a result of a YSI project in Davis College- young people making a real difference in the world @noeltoconnor @CorkETB
Best of luck @LMCDART with the Traveller Graduate Network event today. Great to see this much needed Traveller-led initiative established through @SoarForAccess @CITAccess @HEAaccess
Are you a current Traveller student or graduate? If so, the Traveller Graduate Network would love for you to join us at our next public consultation on the 2nd of December. @THEA_Irl @HEAaccess @itmtrav @PaveePoint
We're delighted to reveal the full line up of speakers for our CESCA Equality Day taking place on Monday December 7th. Spaces are filling up fast so be sure to register for what is bound to be a morning filled with fascinating insight and conversations👉 https://t.co/Ka7pUGbAKB
2Great to welcome you to the Hub today @RebekahLBrennan and lovely that we were able congratulate Professor @MaireLeane & thank her for all her leadership guidance and support with @SoarForAccess, Autism Friendly Uni & all our Access UCC work! https://t.co/MoJC1Juvf7
'Your curriculum has a disability' great perspective from @dararyder
CEO @dararyder at @IUAofficial #IUAFutureOfIreland webinar highlighting a 220% increase in the last 10 years of students with disabilities registering for support in HE and how there has been a shift in focus from individualised support to a #UDL framework in #TeachingAndLearning
A year on from the official opening of its extension, @ArclabsWIT on WIT's West Campus is to benefit from funding announced by Tánaiste which will allow the centre to continue its hugely valuable mission to support entrepreneurship in the South East. https://t.co/Ey5KbEBZUf
And we are equally delighted to welcome you to the @SoarForAccess team @RebekahLBrennan!
Delighted to join the @SoarForAccess project at @UCCAppSoc research team, improving access to higher education for groups which have been marginalised. Looking forward to the work ahead!
CIT/MTU are hosting live online events for CAO students and their supporters during our Open Fortnight: 16th - 26th November.
View our full schedule of events featuring talks and Q&A sessions with department staff, current students and graduates at https://t.co/flmWVPl7dj
Exciting opportunity to work with mature students in a great Acces Service @CIT_ie @CITAccess
We are looking for a new Mature Student Officer at @CIT_ie to work within @CITAccess If you, or someone you know, is interested, please check out Current Vacancies on the CIT webpage. Closing date 1pm on 26/11/20 #jobfairy #access
Looking forward to episode 2 tonight and hearing from more inspirational students #myunilife
📺#MyUniLife follows seven incredible students through their journey to access higher education. Personal challenges, societal challenges & COVID-19 - it's a year to remember! Watch episode 2 tonight 7.30pm @RTEOne & @RTEplayer
For more information visit https://t.co/IVweWFHJLO
A very welcome announcement @SimonHarrisTD @DeptofFHed to ensure Travellers succeed in higher education. #TravellersinEducation @HEAaccess @citaccess @CITTravellerEd @ITCLLL @ittralee @@UCCPLUS @tvgcorkclg
I want the new Department to be a vehicle for economic & social inclusion. That means leaving no one behind. Today I am announcing an extra €300,000 to support Travellers participating in higher education. Just one important step in advancing this agenda https://t.co/JYvfm6j2Jk
Attention Traveller students and graduates @ittralee @itcarlow @ITCLLL @waterfordit @ACEUCC @UCCPLUS @access_ucc @MU_MAP @DCUAccess @UCCSU @ITCarlowSU @CITSU @TheUSI @WITSU_ @ITTraleeSU
Are you a current Traveller student or graduate? If so, the Traveller Graduate Network would love for you to join us at our next public consultation on the 2nd of December. @THEA_Irl @HEAaccess @itmtrav @PaveePoint
Calling all Traveller students and graduates, check out and join in the Traveller Graduate Network. @PaveePoint @itmtrav @NTWFIRL @tvgcorkclg @SindyLJoyce @Love1solidarity #TravellersinEducation
@SoarForAccess @HEAaccess
Are you a current Traveller student or graduate? If so, the Traveller Graduate Network would love for you to join us at our next public consultation on the 2nd of December. @BredaHogan4 @amquilli @dmccamover @CITAccess @SoarForAccess @THEA_Irl
Another step closer to #MTU today @CIT_ie and @ittralee thanks to @SimonHarrisTD #BetterTogether
https://t.co/43f3P0Tidt
Chrisdina's journey through Higher Education was supported by our colleagues @UCCPLUS. Why not get in touch with them to find out how you might join the many others who have chosen this path to @UCC
For anyone who wants to follow in Chrisdina's path into Higher Education through the #HEAR scheme, you find more information here: https://t.co/QA4glMlixY
An inspirational graduate for Travellers and other groups that are under-represented in higher education. Cannot wait to see the @IUAofficial documentary. #myunilife #seeittobeit @UCC
"Taking part in the documentary has meant a lot to me as it was initially a daunting prospect but after considering it I knew it would be for the betterment of the Traveller community" Chrisdina O’Neill @UCC @UCCPLUS
#MyUniLife Fri 7.30pm @RTEOne| More at https://t.co/IVweWFHJLO
Congratulations to all at @waterfordit
We have some very exciting news to share this morning…. For the third time, The Sunday Times Good University Guide has made the Institute of Technology of the Year award to WIT 🎉 #StudyatWIT
https://t.co/fgFfeQagfm
The IUA has partnered with @rte to create #MyUniLife, a series which follows 7 students at various stages of their university journey, supported by the Access & Disability programmes run by Irish Universities.
Starts Fri 6th Nov 7.30pm @RTEOne| More at https://t.co/HhXbYkhFg0 https://t.co/15dfyeedUn
We have developed additional online study skills workshops aimed to make your learning smoother and more successful. All students are welcome - from any course and at any stage of study. Check your emails for full details.
2We are hiring for a new senior position - Education Manager. Are you an individual with strong team and project management skills and an interest in creating inclusive environments in education for people with disabilities? #UDL #Disability https://t.co/lwZeuQ4zGV
Only 4 days to go to our Virtual Open Day on 23rd October. Not only will there be talks from each department, we are also hosting a number of student services webinars. Check out the full schedule and register online at https://t.co/lQ7NAmNm97.
2Before we head into the weekend I just wanted to take the chance to tell everyone it's more than okay to feel overwhelmed at this time of year.
A gentle reminder that you can get in contact with UCC Crisis Text Line 24/7 free of charge by texting UCC to 50808.
All the love x
Reminder we are looking for a Post Doctoral Researcher to join our @UCCAppSoc and @SoarForAccess team. @UCC @CIT_ie @itcarlow @ittralee @waterfordit. Closing date 22nd October.
Exciting Opportunity for a Post Doctoral Researcher @UCCAppSoc & @SoarForAccess to lead project monitoring & evaluation of the inter-institutional SOAR Project @CIT_ie @CITAccess @itcarlow @ittralee @waterfordit @UCC and Access & Participation @UCC. See https://t.co/tvF1SNHqFG
In #Budget2021, we are increasing postgraduate supports. Increasing the grant from €2,000 to €3,500 & increasing the income threshold to €54,240 from €31,500. First increase in a decade & will help more students take up post grads. A first step!
Today we are announcing a dedicated Mitigating Educational Disadvantage Fund of €8 million. It will be used to support community education & to engage with disadvantaged learners. I am determined the @DeptofFHed helps drive social inclusion #Budget2021
Deadline to apply for the 1916 Bursary Fund @CIT_ie @itcarlow @ittralee @UCC @waterfordit is this Friday 16 October 2020, check out our Guide to Apply https://t.co/JOcgkYYWUh
@asefedu @aseforg @sotuama @NadiaReynders @AesAsem @UIL @l_elamoud
Difficult for us to say goodbye too @AnnieMCummins! Thanks for your enormous contribution in leading evaluative research on the @SoarForAccess SOAR Project. You will be dearly missed. Every good wish in your new role @CIT_ie
Saying goodbye is difficult. After 10 wonderful years in @ucc I am moving @CIT_ie. To all the wonderful people @uccsoc @UCCAppSoc @SoarForAccess @UCCPLUS @DSSUCC @UCC_MSO Thank you! ♥️ It has been a pleasure working with you all xx
Congratulations @LMCDART
https://t.co/uV8RiKkkVU
During the pandemic in 2020, RTE commissioned 30 artists to create art that will provide an archive, a legacy of works which, capture our experience of COVID 19.
Starting college at @CIT_ie @itcarlow @ittralee @UCC or @wit this year? You may be eligible for a 1916 Bursary. Full details at https://t.co/znRCYZ8kRV & check out the Guide to Apply video https://t.co/JOcgkYYWUh @CITAccess @ITCStudentServ1 @ITCLLL @UCCPLUS @UCC_MSO @HEAaccess
Statement from the Minister for Education @NormaFoleyTD1 and the Department of Education and Skills regarding Leaving Certificate 2020 Calculated Grades Process https://t.co/11n4C3BZP1
See how the 1916 Bursary Fund has supported Irish Traveller Rachel Coffey to access and succeed in higher education. Applications for 2020/21 @CIT_ie @itcarlow @itt @UCC @waterfordit first time entrants now open at
https://t.co/rDhPLveiy4 @HEAaccess
https://t.co/xAGuo7c1vV
Come and join us on another virtual tour around our college on the latest episodes of SUTV.
It's our 360 degree tour of the Carlow Campus
Follow the link below for the tour.
https://t.co/bATsLu2UpK
*All Virtual Tour videos have been uploaded to our SUTV channel on YouTube.
Today, Minister @SimonHarrisTD, Acting Chief Medical Officer @ronan_glynn and @TheUSI are asking students to follow public health advice for #COVIDー19 as the new academic year begins.
Keep it Small
Keep it Safe
Keep your Distance