Sir, - It appears that Mary Malone (February 11th) failed to listen to my replies during our Liveline debate on her trenchant criticisms of Cork RTC's campaign for designation as an institute of technology. As chairperson of the staff action committee, let me restate our broadcasted views on the upgrading of Waterford RTC: we congratulate our colleagues in Waterford on their well deserved success, and we wish them well in their expanded role within the south east region. We have been well aware of that region's longstanding public campaign for a university, and the various responses of Government to that demand.
For its part, Cork RTC has been seeking designation as an institute of technology for some time, with six submissions presented to Government within the last two years alone. Set against this background, surely Mary Malone can understand that the instant reaction in Cork to the Minister's announcement about Waterford was triggered, not by Waterford's success, but by her failure to even refer to Cork's aspirations.
Mary Malone also implies that Cork should be content with its university and RTC. The spontaneous support from businesses, industries, local media, local politicians and the wider community within the Cork region for the campaign to upgrade Cork RTC, says otherwise.
The success of our campaign is crucial for the Cork region, as upgrading of the college is more than a name change. Institute of technology designation will help bring to the Cork region industries and jobs that are currently flooding to the Dublin area, influenced to a great extent by the presence of four universities and a massive Institute of technology.
Furthermore, it will provide more college places in Cork for the many Cork students who have to travel elsewhere at considerable expense. Right now, points entry for Cork RTC is artificially high, due to the limit on places imposed by Government and the demand created by the widely acclaimed quality of its courses.
Finally, as Rea O'Neill highlights in the same issue (February 11th), the role of technological education, its contribution to our society and its value to the regions have not been properly recognised. The campaigns for change in Waterford, Cork and Dublin are symptoms of that lack of awareness. For our part, we will continue to work with our colleagues throughout the technological sector to change this perception. - Yours etc,
Chairperson, Staff Action
Committee,
Cork Regional Technical
College,
Rossa Avenue, Cork.