“Madam – The so-called ‘Blueprint for Recovery’ seems to be a positive indication that the monkeys have been at the typewriters again; in particular the risible section on creating a ‘world class university’ by putting all the third-level institutions together and make one big one …” (more)
[Andrew Loxley, Irish Times, 18 March]
“In yesterday’s Irish Times there was a review of a report by 17 leading business and public figures. The report, entitled ‘Blueprint for Ireland’s recovery’, claims that Ireland must become the most competitive euro zone country by 2016 … One of the report’s proposals is to rationalise the third level sector so as to ensure that Ireland has a single university of world standing …” (more)
[University in Crisis, 16 March]
“In the course of discussions on the University College Dublin-Trinity research alliance two years ago, the Taoiseach Brian Cowen and his advisers had a Very Big Idea …” (more)
[Seán Flynn, Irish Times, 25 February]
“What is the right size for a University? Why are they the size they are? What drives them to grow or shrink? The question comes to mind from the recommendation in the recently released Irish National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 (known on this isle as ‘The Hunt Report’) …” (more)
[Robert Cosgrave, Tertiary21, 6 February]
“Deputy Phil Hogan has expressed disappointment with the shift in policy by the Board of Waterford IT in the pursuit of a university for the south east. The Fine Gael Frontbench spokesman, who has been a long-term supporter for the establishment of a university for the south-east, has criticised WIT’s new policy to pursue linking with Cork IT …” (more)
[Kilkenny Advertiser, 28 January]
“Moves to link Waterford IT and Cork IT could sound the death knell for aspirations held by IT Carlow that it would become central in a much-anticipated university for the south-east …” (more)
[Carlow Nationalist, 18 January]
“The currently contemplated merger of Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) makes sense only financially …” (more)
[Daniel O’Carroll, Cork Student News, 19 January]
“The institutes of technology in Limerick and Carlow could be moving towards a technological university application after signing a collaboration deal …” (more)
[Niall Murray and Anne Lucey, Irish Examiner, 19 January]
“A partnership between third-level colleges in the south to form a technological university has been described by one college leader as a strong option …” (more)
[Conor Kane and Niall Murray, Irish Examiner, 18 January]
“@vonprond What do you think of this ‘will to merge’ that our universities and IoTs have gotten caught up in? Bigger yes, but less agile.” (tweet)
[Norman Wyse, Twitter, 17 January]
“@krismacdotcom But its one thing having a Dub Tech Uni in a cluster but what benefit does CIT and WIT gain from merging?” (tweet)
[Diarmuid Angland, Twitter, 17 January]
“Letterkenny Institute of Technology authorities will meet next week to debate the contents of the National Strategy for Higher Education report which could see the college benefit from a University merger on a cross-border basis …” (more)
[Paddy Walsh, Donegal Democrat, 13 January]
“AIT head Prof Ciarán Ó Catháin has not ruled out a possible merger this week with another institute or university to bring the institute up to a newly-proposed Technological University status in the years ahead …” (more)
[Westmeath Independent, 12 January]
“A number of institutes of technology are already discussing possible mergers which are to be urged in the long-awaited higher education strategy being published this morning …” (more)
[Niall Murray, Irish Examiner, 11 January]
“Four Institutes of Technology have announced their desire to merge and become a technological university. Dublin Institute of Technology, Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, the Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown and the Institute of Technology in Tallaght have held meetings together …” (more)
[TheJournal.ie, 10 January]
“Smaller colleges should be encouraged To merge or form alliances, according to a long awaited report on third level education to be published on Tuesday …” (more)
[Pat Leahy, Sunday Business Post, 9 January]
“Four Dublin colleges are coming together in a bid to become the country’s first technological university …” (more)
[John Walshe, Independent, 10 January]
“Last week the Hunt report was leaked, and it will be formally launched tomorrow (I can’t say I’ve received an invitation to the event); but yesterday it was already being implemented by a number of institutions who have let it be known that they intend to make a joint bid for recognition as a new ‘technological university’ …” (more)
[Ferdinand von Prondzynski, University Blog, 10 January]
“Four institutes of technology in Dublin are to make a joint bid for redesignation as a new-style ‘technological university’ …” (more)
[Seán Flynn, Irish Times, 10 January]
“Plans for a merger of four Dublin institutes of technology into a new ‘Technical University of Dublin’ are expected to be announced in the coming days, the Sunday Tribune has learned …” (more)
[John Downes, Sunday Tribune, 9 January]
Ninth Level Ireland 