Proposal to merge ITB with city colleges

kenon

Just read that one of the Bórd Snip Nua suggestions was that Institute of Technology Blanchardstown (ITB) should be merged with the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) and the Tallaght IT to form a single third level college.

Article here.

Drodan

All for it.

kenon

D.2 Rationalisation of third level institutions
At present, Ireland has 7 universities, 14 institutes of technology and over 20 other third level
educational institutions feeding into the CAO, many of which are comparatively small by
international standards. Given the size and population of the country, there is scope to reduce the
number of third level institutions. The Group proposes the following rationalisation measures:

3. Amalgamation of DIT and two Dublin-based IoT’s
The Group is of the view that two IoTs based in Dublin (Tallaght and Blanchardstown)
should be amalgamated with the existing Dublin Institute of Technology to achieve
economies of scale. A single large IoT in Dublin would reduce the risk of duplicate
investments in research infrastructure and teaching staff. The amalgamation would also
offer the opportunity of restructuring the delivery of teaching Programmes and promote
specialisation of high-quality teaching.
The cost of central administration and services for a sample number of IoT’s amounts to
between 10% and 11% of overall costs. The Group targets a 50% saving in the administration costs of the two smaller institutes involved, which would yield savings of €2m annually.

The more efficient use of infrastructure as a result of the amalgamation of the institutions
e.g. using the surplus lands at Tallaght (which is well-served with transport links) would
lead to additional savings.

I'd be surprised if its done.

Gonzo

This is madness if it happens, please dont let this be true.

Tom Dunne

kenon wrote: »

I'd be surprised if its done.

Gonzo wrote: »

This is madness if it happens, please dont let this be true.

It actually kinda makes sense.

There is some duplication between the three, not just from an academic perspective, but from an administration perspective.

I think ITB and ITT would be the losers here, though.

kenon

Bord Snip wrote:

The Group targets a 50% saving in the administration costs of the two smaller institutes involved, which would yield savings of €2m annually.

I don't know if €2m saving is enough to justify implementing this one.

It seems like a "drop in the ocean" compared to the budget and I know hard times and all but I really can't see this one happening.

Godge

1. Blanchardstown campus will remain open
2. Ditto Tallaght and more modern city centre locations.

Savings will be on back-office e.g. finance, HR, admissions etc. Other savings will be on rationalisation of provision. maybe you won't be able to do business in the future in blanch, maybe no science in Tallaght etc.

KonFusion

Tom Dunne wrote: »

I think ITB and ITT would be the losers here, though.

+1