Southeast colleges leaders willing to resume merger talks

Senior figures at two third-level colleges in the southeast have given positive soundings about the prospect of restarting talks on a university for the region, despite serious problems highlighted in a plan.

The Kelly report on the process to get Institute of Technology Carlow (ITC) and Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) re-engaged in merger talks with a view to apply for technological university (TU) status is particularly critical of the larger college’s position.

Waterford had been blamed for the inability to get the parties around a table by Michael Kelly, who has recommended a stepping-stone process that will require patience and financial backing, but could eventually lead to a successful TU bid if the colleges agree to merge.