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.

In a joint statement, the presidents and chairs of Cork Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Tralee and Limerick Institute of Technology said they planned to seek designation at the earliest opportunity.

They said the proposed Munster Technological University would enhance the region’s reputation by providing world-class education and research, and supporting enterprise development. The three colleges currently have more than 24,000 students and around 2,000 staff.

While some university leaders have concerns about the planned new sector, CIT president Dr Brendan Murphy said it will reduce fragmentation of higher education.

“If the various applications are successful, we will have four technological universities instead of 14 [institutes], with a strong focus on employer needs and doing intensive research in a number of areas, instead of the broader focus of the traditional universities.”

WIT’s president, Dr Ruaidhrí Neavyn, said the proposed Technological University of the South-East would tackle regional challenges by focusing on employability and flexibility of its graduates.