Emphasis on university research ‘to blame for lower teaching standards’

STUDENTS are getting lower quality teaching because universities are too focused on international rankings based on research and other income sources, SIPTU has warned.

The union represents more than 3,000 academic, administrative, library and other staff who have raised concerns about what they describe as a macho, top-down management style in universities and a move towards commercialisation.

In a policy document to be launched at its annual conference today, SIPTU is seeking changes in how academic achievement is measured.