New university of technology sought by head of Carlow IT

The newly appointed chair of Institutes of Technology Ireland (IoTI) has said he would welcome a recommendation by the higher education strategic review group on the establishment of a technological university this year.

Dr Ruaidhri Neavyn, who is currently the president of Carlow IT, made the comment as he began his chairmanship of IoTI, a body that represents 13 of Ireland’s institutes of technology, including Waterford IT and Cork IT.

IoTI put the proposal to the review group last summer, advising that the creation of a university of technology would allow for the proper recognition of the level and quality of the IoTs’ activities, particularly on an international level.

Under the plan, the regional role of the IoTs would not change significantly and as constituent colleges to the proposed university of technology they “would retain a high degree of autonomy”.

They would receive their own direct funding from the Higher Education Authority and would still be responsible for internal governance and planning.

Commenting on the proposal, DCU president Ferdinand von Prondzynski said: “The key elements that define a university are level 8 and beyond-degree programmes and a research active agenda. If the IoTs, collectively or individually, can show that this is how they are operating, then they should be allowed to proceed to university status.”

At the moment, he says, this is not how the institutes are structured or staffed and he feels there may be concern for the future of vital level 7 degrees and sub-degree programmes if the plans went ahead.

“I suspect that a better approach for the moment might be for IoTs to develop strategic links with universities, which would allow them to develop research partnerships and possible arrangements under which a university could accredit some of their degree programmes,” he said.

DIT, which is not represented by IoTI, made a separate appeal to the review group calling for the institution to be designated as a technological university to be based at their new Grangegorman campus.

A spokesperson for DIT told the College View that the range of services or qualifications would not change if the institution was designated as a university given their current set up is one of their “differentiating attributes.”

If DIT was to be designated as a university, it would allow the institute to be considered for more internationally funded scholarships and research opportunities.

According to the spokesperson, at current when they are encouraging people, “to send students to Dublin, and to DIT in particular, on some of their government funded scholarship programmes for example, it’s difficult to explain to them that DIT is a doctoral awarding institution and yet doesn’t have the title of university.”

At present, DIT and IoTI are currently awaiting the proposals of the review group, which are expected later this year.