The heads of Irish universities have said the new OECD review of third-level education should consider the future resourcing of the sector as a priority issue. Seán Flynn, Education Editor, reports.
Welcoming the review, the Conference of Heads of Irish Universities (CHIU) promised it would co-operate fully with what it called a "positive and constructive initiative taken by the Government".
However, it has expressed disappointment about what it calls the "under representation" of academics and educationalists in the review team and warned of a "utilitarian approach". The university heads say they are encouraged that the context set for the review by the Minister is "Ireland's strategic objective of placing its higher education system in the top rank of the OECD in terms of both quality and levels of participation and by the priority to create a world class research, development and innovative capacity and infrastructure in Ireland".
In the light of the inadequate state funding of Irish universities, CHIU says it considers it vital that the review team "pay special attention to the requirement on it to examine potential approaches to the future resourcing of the higher education sector that can best enable achievement of this stated Government strategic objective".
"Achieving and sustaining top OECD ranking will require consistent competitive levels of investment and at a minimum, addressing immediately the current cutbacks in higher education funding, " it said.
CHIU says it is vital that the review takes full account of the recognition given in the terms of reference to "the need to ensure that the higher education sector can fulfil the transcending roles of developing students to their full potential and pursuing knowledge for its own sake while being open and flexible in meeting an increasing diversity of needs and demands".
The university heads also said that the review process would be enhanced by providing accessible opportunities for interested parties to debate openly key higher education sector issues.