THE SEVEN university presidents have convened a special meeting to consider outline Government plans for a reshaping of the sector. The Government has let it be known that it favours a tighter, more efficient university network and, critically, one where there is less duplication and more focused areas of expertise.
Minister for Education and Science Batt O’Keeffe wants to transform the current situation where most colleges offer a broadly similar mix of disciplines to one in which each university has a particular expertise or specialisation. Much closer alliances between colleges and even mergers have not been ruled out.
At this juncture, no specific proposals are on the table. These are likely to be fleshed out by the forthcoming – and long delayed – national strategy on higher education. The current initiative appears to be driven by two factors: the belief in Government that rationalisation will deliver better cost efficiencies, and some concern about the performance of the sector. Only two Irish universities, Trinity and UCD, are inside the world 200 in rankings compiled by the Times Higher Education Supplement. The Government clearly takes the view that there are too many higher education institutions and that they are punching below their collective weight.
Are there too many higher education institutions? Although seven universities might seem generous, it compares favourably with the likes of Scotland where there are more colleges per head of population. The crux of the issue in the Republic is the manner in which many of the universities jealously guard their own patch. Collaboration between them is still underdeveloped although many are forging closer links with the institutes of technology in their region. There is also the not insignificant cost to the taxpayer of seven universities and 14 institutes of technology, each with their own management structure and bureaucracy. In the current economic climate, there must be scope for rationalisation and significant cost-savings.
What about the performance of our higher education sector? In many respects, the world rankings of Trinity (49th) and UCD (108th) represent a considerable achievement given the relative lack of investment in higher education. The Government may point to record levels of spending, notably in research funding, but this is only part of the picture. The stark reality is that Irish universities have muddled through on funding levels only about 50 per cent of those available to comparable colleges in Britain and in Scandinavia. While there has been much progress, the level of teaching, learning and student facilities across most Irish colleges is well below that expected elsewhere.
That said, the Minister has initiated an important and timely debate. He is seeking a “more effective concentration of expertise and investment”. Given the perilous economic situation, universities can no longer expect to provide a full range of disciplines. They need to build their own specialisations. They can help the entire sector also by identifying areas and structures which are ripe for rationalisation.