South-east becoming an education ‘black hole’

WHILE the number of people who completed their education with a third level qualification increased by more than 180,000 nationally between 2002 and 2006, new figures show that the south-east still lags behind academically.

Just 2% of adults in the south-east have a degree and professional qualification, compared to 3% nationally, according to the Central Statistics Office. This statistic alone highlights the “critical need” for a university in the region, according toWaterford Institute of Technology (WIT) governing body chairman Redmond O’Donoghue.

“The case for a university in the south-east has always been clear.

“But these CSO figures again highlight the critical need for Waterford Institute of Technology to be upgraded to a university,” he said.

“Such a move would re-focus attention on educational attainment and achievement and would help foster a greater culture of continuous learning in this region.”

Mr O’Donoghue said that an “educational void” is growing in the south-east, with the “most glaring” issue the statistic that shows a 50% deficit in the numbers with a degree and professional qualification in the region when compared to the national average.

“Waterford Institute of Technology has been a tremendous success story, attracting growing numbers every year.

“But we must build from here and we must get a university if we are to address the educational black hole which is clear in this CSO report,” said Mr O’Donoghue.

WIT head of strategic planning Derek O’Byrne said that if the south-east is to participate fully in future economic prosperity, it must develop the necessary infrastructure — particularly in research and development — that will allow it to contribute at national and international levels. Figures contained in the CSO report show the south-east has less than half the national cohort of PhDs, at 19 per 1,000, as opposed to 42 nationally.

“The region has an over-dependence on traditional, low-end manufacturing and agriculture, industries that are experiencing a substantial decline,” Mr O’Byrne said.