Towards Technological Universities in Ireland

Billy Bennett & Dr. Simon Stephens

Higher Education in the Globalised AgeUniversity of Sheffield Feb 14,

2014

Some Systems of HE in Europe (adapted from Teichler (1993))

Austria: focus on the traditional university (with Fachochschulen). Belgium: distinct institutions (University and Hautes Ecoles). Finland: move to a homogenous system (University and

Ammattikorkea-Koulu). France: diverse institutions (University and Grandes Ecoles). Germany: binary system with two distinct institutions (University

and Fachochschulen). Ireland: binary system with two distinct institutions Netherlands: distinct institutions (University and Hogescholen). Norway: a multitude of institutions (University and Statslige

hgskoler). UK: creation of a unitary system.

Kirstein (1999) - Unitary and Binary

Higher Education in Ireland

7 Universities in RoI- autonomous and self-governing; 2 Universities in NI

14 Institutes of Technology (including DIT) - Department of Education and Skills and Higher Education Authority

Colleges of Education Binary system emerged in 1970, Regional Technical

Colleges (RTCs):– 9 in the 1970s– 3 in the 1990s– 1 in 2000

In 1998 the RTCs were designated as Institutes of Technology (IoTs), delegated authority to confer their own awards.

The evolving HE landscape in IrelandDateJan 2011 National Strategy for Higher

Education to 2030 (Hunt Report)Feb 2012 Towards a Future Higher Education

Landscape – Higher Education Authority (HEA)

Aug 2012 A Proposed Reconfiguration of the Irish System of Higher Education (International Panel Report/HEA)

Nov 2012 A Study of Future Demand for Higher Education in Ireland (ESRI/HEA)

2013/14 Completing the Landscape Process for Irish Higher Education

Jan 2014 Technological Universities Bill 2014

Technological University Criteria (HEA 2012; TU Bill 2014)

Merged Institute Minimum of 4% postgraduate enrolment Minimum of 30% enrolments in flexible learning/industry-

based programmes/mature learners Capacity to support doctoral training in a minimum of

three fields of knowledge/study 45% of full-time academic staff with doctoral qualification

Distinct mission - “Fundamentally different from the academic universities” – Minister for Education and Skills

Universities – Technological Universities – Institutes of Technology: 3 tier?

LYIT

IT Sligo

GMIT

Athlone IT

Limerick IT

IT Carlow

Waterford IT

Cork IT

IT Tralee

Dundalk IT

Dublin ITIT TallaghtBlanchardstown ITDun Laoghaire IT

Emerging Technological Universities

4Ps/5Ps

Power Price Politics Position(ing) People

(Paradoxes)