Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the Times Education-QS World University Rankings Report publication in which University College Dublin and Trinity College, Dublin have moved into the top 100 of the 500 universities surveyed and that other universities here have improved their ranking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37096/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the world university rankings that were widely published in the media last week and I am pleased to note the positive progress of a number of Irish institutions on the basis of the measures involved. The institutions concerned are to be commended on their achievements.

While any single ranking system needs to be carefully interpreted and the use of ranking systems of this nature can be a source of contention, it is the case that international rankings can be an important influence of institutional reputation in developing international collaborations and attracting overseas students and staff. It is important however to bear in mind that different ranking systems use different performance metrics to gauge what are often quite qualitative outcomes with quantitative data. Outcome evaluation and performance metrics for both institutions and higher education systems is an evolving field. The European Commission is currently looking into the feasibility of a developing a new European ranking system for universities. This initiative builds on earlier EU-funded work on mapping the different strengths and missions of universities. The first results of the envisaged pilot project will be available in the first half of 2011. I also await with interest the findings of the current OECD Feasibility Study for the International Assessment of Higher Education Learning Outcomes (AHELO) which is due to report next year. This study is addressing concerns that too narrow a range of measures may overly influence or distort institutional behaviour or government policy when taken in the context of the wider remit held by higher education systems.

Our higher education institutions play a central valuable role in culture, society and the economy and must serve a whole range of regional and national needs as well as enhancing Ireland's international profile in terms of attracting talent and overseas students. We expect the system to pursue excellence in all of these ambitions and furthermore to respond to the needs of a wide range of students and to drive an agenda of equality of opportunity for all. It would not be feasible in this context to expect one measurement or ranking system to be able to fully compare what are extremely complex institutions with diverse missions and roles.

As Minister for Education and Science, my primary concern is to ensure that these multiple roles, which are all extremely important, receive appropriate attention. As the Deputy will be aware I have established a high level Strategy Group to consider the sector in its entirety and to develop a vision for its future direction taking all of these considerations into account.