Waterford IT president set to move jobs

Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) president Ruaidhri Neavyn looks set to move to a different job amid continuing efforts to get the college’s university application plans with IT Carlow back on track.

The college said yesterday that its governing body will, on Tuesday, consider a Department of Education request for Mr Neavyn to be seconded as an advisor to the Higher Education Authority (HEA).

A WIT statement said the role would be around the development of the technological sector, encompassing the existing institutes of technology.

He took over as WIT president in January 2012 after previously serving as president of IT Carlow, with plans already underway at that stage for a joint application for technological university (TU) status.

However, WIT withdrew from talks on the merger process last October. The biggest issue appears to be a belief at WIT that it would reach the academic, staffing and other standards much quicker on its own.

However, clear HEA rules were set out three years ago that only two or more merged institutes of technology can seek TU designation.

Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan has said the criteria on mergers will be underpinned by law she expects to have passed by summer.

She appointed HEA ex-chairman Michael Kelly to try to get the south-east TU project back on track late last year, and she expects his recommendations this month.

Because the secondment is subject to WIT governing body approval, a college spokesperson was unable to comment on how long it would be for, or if an acting president would be appointed in any absence by Mr Neavyn.

A HEA spokesperson said the specifics of the advisor role have yet to be worked out, but it is expected to be over a number of years.

Mr Neavyn would be formally employed by the department rather than by the HEA if approval is granted.