IT Tralee agrees deal with others to form university
TRALEE'S Institute of Technology has agreed a deal with ITS in Limerick and Cork, which could see the three colleges amalgamate to form a major new technical university.
IT Tralee, LIT and CIT have proposed joining forces to create the Munster Technological University (MTU) which would be the largest higher education institution in the region with campuses in Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Clare and Tipperary and an initial enrolment of over 24,000 students.
If the amalgamation, which would require State approval, goes ahead it would likely mean greater course options for Kerry students, an increase in student numbers in Tralee and an expansion of the college campus. Any increase in student numbers would provide a boon for businesses and rental property owners in the county capital.
It would also greatly assist the college in its efforts to attract foreign students, already a major source of income for the institute.
Since the publication of the Hunt Report in January 2011, the Institutes of Technology in Kerry, Limerick and Cork have been working together towards the establishment of the MTU.
In a joint statement the three Institutes said they have now developed a model for the new University in consultation with international experts who have experience in establishing and managing multi-campus universities.
However while an initial deal on amalgamation has been agreed IT Tralee President Dr Oliver Murphy said that completing the process will take several years.
The three ITS will have to seek further advice from international experts before any formal application for university designation from the Higher Education Authority can be made. It's expected this process could take up to three years.
Dr Murphy said that while exact arrangements for the management of the proposed MTU have not been decided he was confident the amalgamation would not see any "dilution" of IT Tralee's position.
"We haven't gotten into the exactitudes of how the university would be run. There are many options that will be examined," he said.
"I see this as a fantastic opportunity for IT Tralee especially when it comes to recruiting fee-paying international students," said Dr Murphy.
"Another big opportunity comes on the research side of things. University status would allow us to compete for European funding and we could build on the strengths of each constituent campus," he said.
- SIMON BROUDER
