WIT/University News [Article]

Bards

Some more Independent weight behind University of the South East... can only be good news


From Today's Examiner
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07 March 2007

Need for Ireland to develop universities in the regions

By Niall Murray
IRELAND will fall behind other developed countries unless more universities are created in the regions, an international education expert has warned.


Speaking at a forum hosted by Waterford Institute of Technology, Professor John L Davies said the Government must realise the importance of such action to develop research and development, and to aid economic growth.

His advice comes as another international expert continues an assessment of WIT’s submission seeking university status. The report of Dr Jim Port is expected to advise Education Minister Mary Hanafin on the merits of the application, but it is not clear when she will make any announcement.





But Prof Davies said yesterday that recent Central Statistics Office statistics showing that average disposable income in the southeast was 8.8% below the national average clearly points out the need for a University in this region.

“The fact that Dublin, Kildare, Limerick and Cork are the four counties with disposable incomes above the national average can be in part attributed to the fact that each has a University,” he said.

Prof Davies is a consultant to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and leader of a national report on higher education in

Finland, widely acknowledged as having developed the world’s best education systems.

He referred to regional universities and findings from OECD reviews of higher education in other countries, and said they stimulate and promote economic, social, and cultural development, particularly in the area of lifelong learning.

“Higher education systems should also allow for the evolution of institutions to universities and allow distinctive types of universities to develop,” he said.

The submission from WIT is being considered by Dr Port, taking account of national strategy for the development of Irish higher education, implications for regional development in the south east in the context of the National Spatial Strategy and any likely implications for the overall structure of higher education in Ireland.

He was appointed by Ms Hanafin last November but it is unclear when she will make any announcement on granting university status to WIT.

mike65

Article in Waterford Today follows same line with thoughts of economist Jim Power

Mike.

merlante

Great to see.

Don't like this talk about 'more universities needed in the regions' though, implying that more than one university is on the cards. Only one more university is being proposed or is required in Ireland.