THREE INSTITUTES of technology have joined forces in an attempt to secure technological university status. Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Letterkenny Institute of Technology and the Institute of Technology Sligo have formed a new strategic partnership, the Connacht-Ulster Alliance.
In a boost for the initiative, Taoiseach Enda Kenny attended the formal signing of the agreement at GMIT Castlebar yesterday.
The move raises the possibility of at least two and possibly more technological universities, despite opposition from the seven university presidents and some senior figures in the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
Concerns have been raised that the new technological universities could undermine the overall level of higher education in Ireland. The institutes have accused university heads of “academic elitism”.
Earlier this year the HEA agreed new conditions that must be met by institutes of technology before they can be redesignated. While these are regarded as “challenging”, local political support for redesignation could be critical.
A new technological university for the southeast is regarded as virtually certain. Both Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin are backing moves that would merge the institutes of technology in Waterford and Carlow.
Five institutes of technology in the Border, midlands and west (BMW) region are also in discussions regarding the establishment of a technological university.
An application from a Dublin technological university group comprising the Dublin Institute of Technology and the institutes in Tallaght and Blanchardstown is also in train.
The new Connacht-Ulster Alliance will see the three institutes working together on areas such as flexible learning delivery, research and innovation, international student recruitment and staff development in order to meet the rigorous criteria required to achieve technological university status.
These three institutes have a combined student population of just over 16,000.
