Challenges in an ever-changing landscape - the global and Irish backdrop to change

This chapter attempts to set the scene for the discussion on Leadership which was the theme of the first 3U conference held in the National University of Ireland, Maynooth on 2 March 2013. The conference was attended by education and health professionals, some of whom were engaged in postgraduate studies. The purpose of the presentation was to identify the key factors which are driving change in the education of professionals in Ireland, especially professionals in the fields of education and health. This is not an academic paper – it is simply a summary of the key points made by the author at the conference.