ITC-WIT Southeast University Debacle

oscillating wildely wrote: »

WIT are referencing a report that was subsequently pulled due to errors, not exactly good academic practise.

That report was widthdrew because of political pressure because the politicians did int like what it said , not because it wasn't correct or inaccurate

oscillating wildely wrote: »

It is about the big picture folks and the bottom line is that a Technical University in the South-East would be a huge advantage for the area and everyone, including politicians, should put aside their bias and do what is best for the region. It would also help if people grew up a little and accepted that improvements can always be made and when areas of possible improvement are highlighted that people take this on-board instead of feeling slighted - suppose to be third-level not primary level.

Nobody is deigning that a technological university wouldn't be a good thing the region , but the point needs to be made that its not just the case of WIT and ITC merging and we get a magical shiny TU.
There is a set of criteria that need to be reached and then tested by an international panel and the crux of this whole problem is WIT doesn't think the Criteria on research can be reached in a reasonable time if ever after merging with ITC.
Its not about bashing Carlow or WIT being better or worse than Carlow and the fact that this merger is been pushed for political reasons rather than academic reasons.

The fear in Waterford is we waste years of time and lots of money striving for a TU and then fail to reach our goal because current levels research in Carlow are at the same level as they were in WIT in 1998( WIT are about to release a fact sheet on this and it will show in figures backed by the HEA and EU research commissioners office the levels of research in WIT and the gap to the true levels of ITC research which are miles away from the ITC assertion that it will only take three years to get up to speed.)

So it takes balls to take on all the political and interest groups on this, it would be easy to sleepwalk into a merger that would ultimately fail at the cost of lots of money , WIT are putting up their hand and staying stop and it will hurt the institute going forward as Waterford will probably never be a university now but at least they have the courage of their commitments

I see in the media recently that ITCarlow have a plan for 100m to upgrade and create new facilities a lot of which is self funded.
http://www.independent.ie/regionals/carlowpeople/news/100-million-being-invested-in-development-of-it-carlow-34183294.html
On the other hand WIT has a massive running deficit and other has cash flow issues in relation to the sports campus and campus services debacle and has barely enough money to keep operating at a day to day level.( as evidenced by the IT breakdowns and the general state of parts of the campus)
So way would Carlow want any part of that, I'm sure the government would be very happy for Carlow to pay WITs debts as they move to become one institution. Carlowit has being growing at a great rate so why risk that good financial position and growing student numbers for a merger that is not guaranteed to be a success and is not going to receive any extra funding as stated by the government.

invara wrote: »

I wonder is there any views from Carlow about the state of play post election? I know things get passionate on this tread, so I should declare myself as a WIT-head. The talk in Waterford is that with Labour and Howlin on the margins most of the push will be gone out of the SE TU project in its current shape. Dublin is likely to proceed, but under a heavily revised bill. Any thoughts, views ?

The TU true agenda has been revealed, its all about cost savings and consolidation. I hope everyone in Carlow realizes they have been sold a pup and the dysfunctional TU process would damage both Institutes .The spotlight has changed to CIT now who are coming out in arms about the Tralee merger and recently the city council voted not to support any merger .
With CIT in the constituency of the leader and finance spokesman for Fianna Fail, no clear way forward for government and with the TU legislation not passed , the whole process and in particular the merger rule is on very shaky ground.

Hmm ITCarlow may need to take down that "building a technological university " sign they have out front of their new building

Micheál Martin
“The Minister’s attempt to force mergers and consolidation is a cost saving measure pure and simple. There are absolutely no academic or logical reasons that just because an IT merges with a neighbouring IT that it should be any more, or less eligible, to be given University Status.

“Fianna Fáil will not support the Technological Universities Bill in next Dáil. We support the establishment of Technological Universities however we believe that ITs should be eligible to apply for Technological University status on their own without the necessity of a merger. ITs should not be forced to merge,” said Deputy Martin".