UCC plans laudable

Any Irish university that becomes largely self-funding deserves to be applauded.

According to plans outlined by UCC president Michael Murphy, the college will achieve that ambitious aim within five years.

Though Ireland’s economic collapse has seen young graduates leave the country in droves, that does not negate the importance of investing in the academic world. Looking towards better times ahead, the fundamental objective of the strategic plan should result in saving the beleaguered taxpayer millions of euro a year.

The future campus will boast an innovative business school as well as a ‘student hub’ to enhance the employment prospects of its graduates. The elusive goal of becoming largely self-financing is the kind of thinking this country urgently needs in its present predicament.

The UCC project speaks for itself and ought to be generously supported.