Third level could face overhaul after review

A COMPLETE overhaul in the number, structures and course provisions of the country's third-level colleges could be ordered arising from a major higher education review announced yesterday. Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe has appointed leading economist Colin Hunt to lead the steering group being set up to produce a blueprint for development of the higher education sector over the next two decades.

As well as examining the funding mechanisms and accountability of how the €2 billion annual budget in the sector is spent, proposals may also be made on how to meet extra funding requirements in light of the economic difficulties likely to continue in the medium term.

The minister is expected to bring separate proposals to Cabinet by early April on funding sources, which could include the possible return of tuition fees.

The steering group is expected to set out a vision for Irish higher education for the next 20 years but with more focused targets within the next five years.

The steering group will be required to:

• Set out the number and roles of colleges needed to deliver that vision.
• Recommend any changes needed in oversight and accountability systems.
• Determine funding and staffing required and examine how effectively current resources are being used.

Another key part of their work will be to "identify any potential for rationalisation or change to maximise the use of those resources".

There is a strong belief among some figures in higher education that the duplication of specialist courses in a number of universities and institutes of technology might be wasteful. However, others question whether worthwhile savings would be achieved by moving staff and equipment, or requiring some students to travel greater distance to study their chosen discipline at a single college.

Announcing the strategy group membership and terms of reference, the minister said a reinvention of approaches in higher education are needed to meet the challenge of economic renewal and to improve Ireland's innovation performance.

"We need to examine how well our higher education system is performing, how it ranks internationally, how well existing resources are being used, and how the system can be reconfigured to meet the challenges we now face," he said.

"The development of this strategy offers a critical opportunity to advance performance across the system, and provide important impetus to our efforts for economic renewal," he said.

The strategy was first mooted by his predecessor Mary Hanafin in 2007, and follows a review of the system by global think-tank the OECD five years ago.

The steering group will seek input from interest groups, and its 15 members, including representatives of two third-level colleges; Union of Students in Ireland; the Higher Education Authority; senior civil servants from the Department of Education and three other departments; senior business figures and two international experts whose participation is subject to confirmation.