Seanad debates

Tuesday, 13 February 2018

Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed)

 

2:30 pm

Photo of Mary Mitchell O'ConnorMary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On page 27, section 28 sets out the detailed eligibility criteria to be complied with by institutions that wish to become technological universities. I assure the Senator that we are not lowering the bar. This will be a step-change in education and in institutes of higher education right across the country. That is what we want. The criteria are based on the original criteria set out in the Higher Education Authority's document, Towards a Future Higher Education Landscape. They present a realistic and ambitious set of targets for applicant institutes seeking to achieve technological university status. They protect the commitment to level 6 and level 7 programmes and the securing of the necessary talent pipeline supply at those relevant skill levels. However, they set the bar for higher level programme participation at challenging, though attainable and progressive, targets. The application process requires the demonstration of compliance with the eligibility criteria for technological university designation. The current criteria are supported by the Higher Education Authority and the Technological Higher Education Association and they are considered appropriate as key elements for establishing technological university designation in the Irish context.

Moreover, to seek to introduce additional requirements into the criteria now, when consortia have been working long and hard to attain long-set criteria would be a significant change of direction which would likely delay the process of technological university development. They have also set the bar for staff development and qualifications. The consortia have undertaken considerable work to ensure compliance with these criteria. It would not be helpful at this stage to change the criteria to those proposed in these amendments. The criteria were arrived at through a process of consultation and discussion. They represent a challenge for the applicants, but one that is attainable. I do not support a change of the type proposed in these amendments. It is also very important to say that all eligibility criteria will be assessed by an expert advisory panel which will include international experts. That is going to happen.

I have every confidence in some of the consortia that have moved considerably along the road, for example, the TU4 Dublin group. I have every confidence that these consortia will succeed but they have to make sure that their eligibility criteria are assessed. Some of the other technological university applicant groups have gone some of the way but are not quite there yet. I heard one comment that every institute of technology will be able to join a consortium and become a technological university. That is not the case. They will have to go through an eligibility process.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.