Munster institutes seek to become tech university

The institutes of technology in Cork, Limerick and Tralee are to apply to become the Munster Technological University.

The amalgamation would make them one of four groups of institutes of technology hoping to form the technological university (TU) sector. Carlow and Waterford institutes are in talks about a joint application for the South-east, along with three institutes in Dublin, and border, midlands and west institutes in Athlone, Dundalk, Galway-Mayo, Letterkenny and Sligo.

However, a rigorous application process, which the Higher Education Authority has sent for approval to Education Minister Ruairi Quinn, could mean it will be at least two years before any application is decided.