Social role of universities - Out of kilter

WE can all be proud of how President Michael D Higgins discharged his duties during the recent 1916 ceremonies.

He mixed the challenging and the celebratory in a way that added significantly to the value and integrity of the proceedings.

He was, as we have come to expect and welcome, challenging again yesterday when he spoke at the annual conference of the European Universities Association, which was held at NUI Galway, where he taught for many years.