Commenting on the official initiation of Reform of Irish Higher Education by the Higher Education Authority this week, President of IT Sligo, Professor Terri Scott, said that it is the ambition of IT Sligo to be part of a Technological University in the Border Midlands and Western Region.
“The Higher Education Authority is now starting to implement the National Strategy for Higher Education which was published at the start of last year,” Professor Scott explained.
“A new model of higher education is planned for Ireland, which will include a more coherent, complementary system of higher education. This will require greater collaboration and clustering amongst institutions to bring about greater efficiencies.”
Part of the model proposed is the establishment of a small number of Technological Universities. President Scott and Senior Management at IT Sligo have had detailed discussions with other Institutes of Technologies in the BMW region (AIT, GMIT, LyIT, and DkIT) going back some months now, and it is the ambition of the five Institutes to achieve Technological University status for the region.
“Each higher education institutions will initially become part of a cluster, the makeup of which has yet to be finalised. This clustering arrangement will mean enhanced cooperation, but each Higher Education Institution will retain its autonomy,” Professor Scott explained. “Ultimately a small number of Institutes of Technology who, when teamed together, meet required criteria in areas such as research output and student levels, will be re-designated Technological Universities. We want to be part of a grouping that achieves that for the BMW region.
“The provision and access to top quality higher education is essential to deliver investment, enterprise creation and regional development. Our ambition to be part of a Technological University is grounded on a track record of achievement in supporting industry and the professions for the past 40 years. To build on our strengths, the time has come for us to form strategic alliances to benefit Sligo and the wider region,” she concluded.
Image Caption: President of IT Sligo, Professor Terri Scott