ivaluemyprivacy{at}mailblocks.com wrote:

> Two replies today:
> WOMEN'S STUDIES AT UCD
>
> Madam, - I will ignore the many inaccuracies in Kevin Myers's
> Irishman's Diary of March 22nd and instead, using one of his own
> techniques, seize on his use of one word - "transformative". I am
> proud, indeed privileged, to be part of the transformative agenda of
> WERRC, being a tutor on the outreach programme.

Here's the quote she's referring to:

"For WERRC is unique among university departments. It has a political
goal which it declares in its own advertisements: "WERCC is one of the
leading Women's Studies centres in Europe, with a commitment to making
a difference through transformative feminist scholarship, research,
teaching, outreach and networking activities." So the purpose of this
gibberish is not academic, but to pursue a "transformative" social
agenda. And most reassuringly of all, this is not coming from some
privately-funded madcap university in New Hampshire, but from the
largest university in Ireland, State-funded throughout. So, gentle
reader, it's all WERRC while we pay."

>
> We offer the opportunity to some of the most marginalised women in
> Ireland, both rural and urban, to undertake NUI-validated
undergraduate
> certificate and diploma courses. Many of these women have been
deprived
> of a full secondary education, not to mind the opportunity to pursue
a
> third level education.
>
> I have lost count of the times women have said to me, "This course
has
> changed my life". We support the women from their tentative efforts
to
> express themselves in their first, 500-word assignment and delight in
> their huge sense of achievement when they produce a 3,000-5,000 word
> project at the end of their particular course. Many of them uncover
> talents and creative abilities they never suspected they possessed.
>
> Some continue their education to BA or even MA level in our
department,
> other departments of UCD, or other universities.
>
> >From my own perspective, these past four years in WERRC have been
the
> most rewarding in my life. Through these women, who often have to
> struggle through tremendous obstacles to achieve their goal, I am
> endlessly reminded of my own excitement, sense of achievement and
> gratitude at having the opportunity as a mature student to learn new
> skills, to broaden my horizons and to better understand the
structures
> shaping our lives.
>
> There is so much ability, talent and creativity among the ordinary
> women in Ireland. Why should they be denied an opportunity to engage
in
> education at whatever stage of their lives. Why should Mr Myers, from
> his lofty eyrie, see this as a waste of time and taxpayers' money?
>
> Finally, surely education should always be "transformative"; what is
> the point otherwise? - Yours, etc.,
>
> MARY C. FAKHER-ELDIN, Women's Education, Research and Resource
Centre,
> UCD, Dublin 4.
>
> ... ...
>
> Madam, - Ailbhe Smyth (March 30th) seems to feel the existence of the
> WERRC in UCD is justified because feminists are working "to create a
> more just and egalitarian society". Many masculists believe they're
> doing the same thing; the difference is that the research arm of
their
> movement isn't State-subsidised.
>
> Justice? What justice? - Yours, etc.,
>
> 



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