Third-level reform plans could see institutions merge
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) has this morning published new plans to reform third-level institutions.
The series of three HEA papers set out a roadmap for significant reform of third level education.
The documents will look to encourage more cooperation between institutions, and set out the criteria for designating colleges as technological universities.
Under the proposals, small colleges would be forced to merge with larger third-level institutions and universities, and institutes of technology would band together into regional clusters.
"Our system is too diffuse and too uncoordinated," said HEA Chief Executive Tom Boland.
"There is a lot of value to be gained… by getting the institutions to work closely together in a more co-ordinated way."
Mr Boland said the plans will see a better use of the resources assigned to third-level institutions.
"The first thing we have to look at is the €1.2bn or so that is spent on the higher education institutions year-on-year, and see how we can get more value out of that very significant investment," Mr Boland said, "while at the same time looking to the long-term future sustainability of the system as a whole."
The HEA proposes setting strategic targets that may be perceived as a threat to the autonomy of third level institutions. College bosses have already complained that government restrictions on recruitment are interfering with their academic freedom. Fears of a focus on economic requirements could worsen tensions.
The HEA says funding will be based on performance against the new targets. These are likely to set the bar for each college under headings such as:
* Widening access and improving student experience.
* Teaching and learning, including more courses delivered online or in summer months.
* Research performance.
* Engagement with industry and community.
In a letter to all college presidents,Mr Boland said performance in a range of categories still being decided may also be used to inform funding allocations.
The colleges are being asked to submit responses within six months.
However the union representing university lecturers today said plans to merge smaller colleges with larger ones must not be used as an excuse to reduce staff numbers.
Mike Jennings, General Secretary of the Irish Federation of University Teachers, said smaller colleges are already linked to larger ones for validation purposes, without any job losses.
"The reality is that we are already understaffed," Mr Jennings said.
"We have less staff and more students than we ever had.
"Anybody who thinks (the HEA proposals) are going to be an excuse or a pretext to reduce staff… are living in cloud cuckoo land."
