ITs cleared to become ‘technological universities’

The number of third-level institutions in Ireland will be reduced from 39 to 25 under major education reforms rubber-stamped by Government.

Details agreed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and supported by Education Minister Ruairi Quinn, propose that the changes be implemented within the next five years.

The plan, drawn up to cut back on duplicate courses in various institutions and make future students more employable, will group ITs together as “technological universities”.