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”.

The groups — planned for Munster, the south-east, and Dublin — have been given the backing of the HEA, in principle.

Before being ratified, they will need to pass a rigorous planning application process later this year by proving they will be able to attract a university-standard amount of future PhD students, research work, and non-taxpayer funding.

The proposals would see Dublin IT, IT Tallaght, and IT Blanchardstown join forces in order to cut back on duplicate courses across the institutions.

In the South West, Cork Institute of Technology and IT Tralee would also link together, while Waterford IT and Carlow IT hope to follow a similar path in the South East.

In addition to the IT changes, regional “clusters” will also be developed in order to connect ITs and colleges with universities.

The HEA and Mr Quinn have stressed that the changes will not result in a loss of jobs, but will see some courses and departments effectively merge in order to improve standards.