UNIVERSITY of Limerick students welcomed the arrival of EU telecommunications ministers to the campus this morning, saying the event gives them a sense of representation in discussions on Europe’s digital future.
Gardaí were posted outside the UL Arena, where the ministers arrived in convoys from 8am on Tuesday morning. UL students spoke to Limerick Voice about the significance of the event.
Students feel like they’re being considered in European decision-making
Second-year architecture student Rory Specht said, “The main conversation about architecture is globalism, so we’re very concerned with what’s going on around the world and how the field is changing across countries regarding regulations.”
“I’d never imagine a meeting like this happening in UL, I feel like the University is really integrating with important decision-making”.
Ivana Nwanna, third-year chemical engineering student, expressed the importance of digital connectivity for students across the country:
“GDPR and having our information protected is really important, this meeting gives the impression that we’re being looked after”.
‘’I think it’s good that it’s going on in UL, I think it’s good for representation to get people looking at UL,’’ said Graduate Medicine student Zoe Smith. ‘’Some students are raging that they can’t come in, while others are delighted to be off for the day’’ she added.
Support for the Digital Networks Act
Associate Professor in the Department of Electronics and Computer Engineering Dr Jacqueline Walker said that she “broadly welcomes the thrust of the Digital Networks Act”.
The Digital Networks Act (DNA) is a proposed legal framework to boost connectivity across an advanced digital infrastructure in the European Union.
The DNA is on the agenda for discussion during today’s meeting, as the framework is currently under review by the European Council.
Dr Walker outlined her interest in the implementation of the Digital Networks Act:
“I am in a personal capacity in favour of most things that aim to free up markets, encourage competition to give the best offering to consumers, and protecting consumer rights, so this seems to me to be going in the right direction”.
The event caused disruptions to regular campus operations, with limited access to the UL Arena, the closure of car parks, and classes moved online.
However some students were unaware the high profile event was taking place.
“I just came to the library, and I saw that the roads were blocked and they were so many cars and I was wondering what is happening here. I didn’t know that it was actually some meeting going on,” said Nyjo Thankachan, who recently completed a MSc Functional Foods and Product Development.