Colleges vying for tech university status lack sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff

All four groups of colleges hoping to become technological universities are significantly short of the level of staff qualifications they need to be successful.

Figures compiled by the Higher Education Authority show that barely half the required number of staff at the 13 institutes of technology involved in prospective applications are appropriately qualified.

Under the strict criteria the authority published last month, at least 45% of full-time academic staff in applicant colleges will have to have a PhD qualification for technological university status to be granted.

But the data provided following a request under Freedom of Information shows just 23% across all institutes have such a degree, with the numbers ranging from 30% at Dublin Institute of Technology to just 14% at Limerick Institute of Technology. It is part of a proposed Munster Technological University to be formed with Cork Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology Tralee.

Another requirement to become a technological university is that 90% of full-time academic staff would hold at least a level 9 qualification — the equivalent of a master’s degree or higher.

But the figures range from as low as 75% at CIT up to 95% at Tralee and Blanchardstown. All full-time academics at Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology have at least a level 9 qualification but it is not involved in any of the proposed groupings.

The four proposed mergers involve the following groups of institutes of technology:

* Cork, Limerick and Tralee — Munster Technological University.

* Carlow and Waterford — Technological University for the South-East.

* Dublin, Blanchardstown and Tallaght — Technological University of Dublin Alliance.

* Athlone, Dundalk, Galway-Mayo, Letterkenny and Sligo — Border Midlands West Technological University.

The Munster colleges have the most to do, with just 18% of their combined staff having a PhD and 80% holding at least a level 9 qualification. The Dublin institutes have the strongest numbers, with 29% of full-time academics holding a PhD, but just 82% having a level 9 degree or higher.

The proposed Technological University for the South-East may have the least to do in terms of staff profile, with 24% holding a PhD and 84% having a level 9 qualification.

The proportions for the Border, Midlands and West are 22% and 84%.

For the seven universities, figures also collated by the HEA show the respective figures for full-time staff with a PhD or a minimum level 9 degree are 77% and 97%, respectively.

When it released the details of what applicants must achieve, the authority said the requirement for the number of academics with PhDs was reasonably challenging but a realisable threshold. The rules will also allow up to 10% of staff with considerable expertise or experience in the relevant profession to be included within the 45%, with the example given of a gifted musician or architect without such a high level of qualification.

One strong critic of the standards was CIT president Dr Brendan Murphy, who said they were too focused on research and economic requirements and did not place enough emphasis on serving regional and community needs. A minimum number of students will have to be enrolled on level 9 or PhD research courses as part of the criteria.

The process includes a timeframe that makes it unlikely that any group of applicants would become a technological university in less than two years. A group of international experts would have to assess any proposals before a formal application can be made.

Ruairi Quinn, the education minister, has insisted, in response to accusations of political pressure in favour of the south-east proposal, that the process will be entirely independent.