WIT tight-lipped on rival’s bid to become university

WATERFORD Institute of Technology has refused to express any opinion on this week’s application by Cork Institute of Technology to be designated a university.

WIT made a similar application to Education Minister Mary Hanafin in 2006 but a report to her on the issue, published last month, suggested government policy needs to be clarified before any decision is made.

CIT’s request to become a university will further complicate the decision for government, which also received a university designation submission from Dublin Institute of Technology last year.

Concerning CIT’s move, WIT said it is primarily a matter between the college and the Government.

“It is not a matter for us to comment on the ambitions of any other higher education institution,” a spokesman said.

He said college authorities are continuing to engage with the Government and other stakeholders following the publication of what he described as a positive report on WIT’s application.

While it highlighted many strong attributes in support of WIT’s case, the report of British higher education expert Dr Jim Port suggested government policy on higher education structures needs to be clarified. It recommended more clearly defined criteria for becoming a university as well as a clearer vision on the research role of institutes of technology.

A 2004 report on Ireland’s higher education system from international think-tank the OECD strongly urged the structure of seven universities and 14 IoTs be maintained.

However, Dr Port recommended some changes to the existing situation are necessary, with the possibility of creating technological universities among his suggestions.

The governing body of CIT was encouraged by this recommendation in making its decision last week to seek designation.

CIT president Dr Brendan Murphy said while there is no existing category of technological university, there is nothing in the 1997 Universities Act under which the application is being made to prevent the Government creating such a title.

He acknowledged WIT and DIT already have university applications and wished them both well. He added CIT’s plans would allow the college to continue research and teaching collaboration with UCC.

It is understood UCC bosses have offered support for the CIT application, although it has yet to be discussed by the university’s governing body. The institute has more than 17,000 students at its four campuses in Bishopstown, Crawford College of Art & Design, Cork School of Music (both in the city centre) and the National Maritime College in Ringaskiddy.

The case for WIT to be designated a university has been the subject of political debate over the past 18 months, with Waterford’s Cabinet minister Martin Cullen and Ms Hanafin reported to have had a heated argument on the issue at a recent Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting.