University Agenda Revealed! “Colleges told: merge or die”, Indo 29th April
Colleges told: merge or die
Major shake-up ahead for third-level system, Irish Independent, Thursday 29th April
Tom Boland has signalled that huge changes are on the way
By John Walshe Education Editor
Thursday April 29 2010
IRELAND has too many universities and colleges that must now merge to survive, the head of the State’s third-level funding body has warned.
In a landmark address yesterday, Higher Education Authority (HEA) chief executive Tom Boland set out a reform agenda for the biggest ever shake-up of the country’s third-level system.
The proposals are certain to form a key component of a new national strategy currently being prepared for the Government.
The strategy will recommend merging colleges and courses, sources said last night.
The Irish Independent has also learned that the strategy group is also considering the provision of new employment contracts; ending a number of programmes and courses; and more effective monitoring of academic staff. (more)
