Concern for future of IT Tralee
College may be amalgamated with Cork and Limerick ITs
I.T. Tralee's north campus at Dromtacker, Tralee. It is expected that the Hunt Report will propose I.T.'s re-branding as "Technological Universities" and the reduction of courses and the number of administrative staff from most institutes.
IT appears increasingly likely the Tralee's Institute of Technology is to be amalgamated with either Cork or Limerick Institutes of Technology in 2011.
Authorities at the college are currently awaiting the findings of the, so-called, Hunt report on reform of higher education until 2030.
It's expected that the report will recommend a complete overhaul of the entire institute of technology sector involving the amalgamation of several institutes, their re-branding as "Technological Universities" and the reduction of courses and the number of administrative staff from most existing institutes.
In a memo to all ITT staff, which has been seen by The Kerryman, outgoing President of the College Michael Carmody said he expects ITT will either be amalgamated with another institute or see the number of courses on offer at the college significantly reduced.
It is thought that ITT will be amalgamated with one or both of Limerick or Cork Institute of Technology with the combined organisation renamed as a single Technological University.
If this comes to pass it is expected, as is proposed under the amalgamation of the Kerry Education Service with education in services in Limerick, that a large number of administrative staff would see their positions scaled down or moved elsewhere.
Unions at the college have told The Kerryman they are "extremely concerned" about the contents of the Hunt report and its recommendations.
Current ITT President Michael Carmody announced just last week that he is leaving Tralee to take over the presidency of Galway Mayo Institute of Technology.
The Galway native, who has been President of ITT since 2007, told staff in the memo that it is his "firm opinion that ITT's best interests are served within a strong Technological University rather than as a stand alone institute of technology."
While the recommendations of the Hunt report have yet to be released senior management at ITT have commenced "tentative" talks with potential partners CIT and LIT.
These talks, which remain at an early and basic stage, are aimed at ensuring ITT forms an "integral" part of any new third level entity created following the Hunt report.
As yet no replacement has been named to takeover from Michael Carmody. It is unknown at this point if ITT would still have a president after any amalgamation or if it would be run by a manager answerable to the president of a larger institution.
- SIMON BROUDER sbrouder@kerryman.ie
