Row over status of third level facilities brewing

The Department of Education looks set to become embroiled in a political row over a Government policy that might allow a single institute of technology become a technological university.

The department is determined that two or more institutes of technology (IoTs) must merge in order for technological university (TU) status, despite a stipulation in last year’s Programme for Government that an exception might be made to that requirement.

The delayed bill to underpin the creation of a TU sector should get back on track shortly after IoT lecturers last week backed an deal addressing their concerns.