Quinn to approve technology university in southeast

[Schuhart]

THE SOUTHEAST is set to win its long battle for university status, despite strong opposition from some university presidents and senior figures in the Higher Education Authority.

Sources say approval for a technological university of the southeast is now “inevitable” as it has strong support from several senior Cabinet figures, including Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin.

Mr Hogan and Mr Howlin represent Kilkenny and Wexford respectively in the Dáil.

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I find I'm undecided about the merits of this. My objection may be over the reported reason this is being done, rather than over any actual outcome. If its being done to satisfy a political agenda, then its no better than your average Healy-Rae political objective.

I suppose I wonder if the rules are just being re-written to allow this to occur - and if Carlow IT is being included just so's they don't feel all left out and stuff. I'd also wonder that, if our real objective is to advance some educational objective, maybe we should be downgrading some of our universities to some lower status, rather than upgrading a couple of ITs. Maybe NUI Maynooth should become Maynooth IT. (Sell it to them as giving them an opportunity for their students to say "I got my degree at MIT")

I actually am open to persuasion on this. I won't be convinced by arguments to the effect that "The South East deserves a University", although I do know that the South East hasn't had the largesse thrown at it that other regions - more practiced at giving the poor mouth - have managed to secure. But is there actually scope for a new university - assuming this tech university concept means something? And is there a ratchet effect in third level status? Can objective criteria be retrospectively applied to the existing universities, to see if one should be dropped in status? And, finally, Carlow IT being included in the upgrade - wtf?

[Luachara]

I find I'm undecided about the merits of this. My objection may be over the reported reason this is being done, rather than over any actual outcome. If its being done to satisfy a political agenda, then its no better than your average Healy-Rae political objective.

I suppose I wonder if the rules are just being re-written to allow this to occur - and if Carlow IT is being included just so's they don't feel all left out and stuff. I'd also wonder that, if our real objective is to advance some educational objective, maybe we should be downgrading some of our universities to some lower status, rather than upgrading a couple of ITs. Maybe NUI Maynooth should become Maynooth IT. (Sell it to them as giving them an opportunity for their students to say "I got my degree at MIT")

I actually am open to persuasion on this. I won't be convinced by arguments to the effect that "The South East deserves a University", although I do know that the South East hasn't had the largesse thrown at it that other regions - more practiced at giving the poor mouth - have managed to secure. But is there actually scope for a new university - assuming this tech university concept means something? And is there a ratchet effect in third level status? Can objective criteria be retrospectively applied to the existing universities, to see if one should be dropped in status? And, finally, Carlow IT being included in the upgrade - wtf?

Will he provide more on line access to courses?

[jacko]

In fairness, WIT has long been seen as well ahead of the rest in the IT sector - geographically it also makes sense

[Cassandra Syndrome]

The UK, US, Canada and Australia are going to love this free investment in future talent for them.

[polcol2]

In fairness, WIT has long been seen as well ahead of the rest in the IT sector - geographically it also makes sense

How do you know this? The HEA have gone to the bother of laying down the criteria for a Technological University, WIT and Carlow IT don't meet them. This is politics at play and it will have the knock on effect of all the IoTs merging and renaming. Instead of playing politics with this, why don't the HEA decide on the new designations and structures.

[greykettle]

I'm from the south-east, and I'm also unsure about the merits of this. What difference would it make? Do we need another university? Will it just be mutton dressed as lamb, so to speak? The geographical argument doesn't hold much water in such a small country. Carlow is an hour's drive from Dublin. Maybe Carlow should get an airport too?

But, like the OP, I'm open to convincing on it.

[Nermal]

Maybe NUI Maynooth should become Maynooth IT. (Sell it to them as giving them an opportunity for their students to say "I got my degree at MIT")

The MIT comparison is revealing. Does MIT feel slighted by not being called a university? It's a pointless redefinition exercise. Calling WIT by a different name won't attract a higher calibre of undergraduate, lecturer or researcher, won't change a reputation, won't attract more funding or change a league table. The only thing it will do is cost money, really.

[Science Ninja]

The UK, US, Canada and Australia are going to love this free investment in future talent for them.

Why, there's no shortage of technology jobs here?

[Science Ninja]

Why, there's no shortage of technology jobs here?

not that the southeast is overflowing with them mind you.

[florin]

Idiotic. I suppose Kerrys next in line for an imaginary university. Or maybe Tipp. This won't serve anyone's interest except for gombeens