University town status for Athlone?

Athlone IT could be part of a new technological university which would become the largest educational institution in the State, catering for over 27,000 students. It emerged this week that discussions are at an advanced stage between the five institutes in the Border Midland and West region (BMW) in relation to the establishment of a technological university within the next three to five years. A steering group comprising the presidents and senior staff of Athlone Institute of Technology, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), Letterkenny Institute of Technology, and Institute of Technology, Sligo, are directing the negotiations. Speaking this week, President of Athlone IT Ciarán " Catháin stressed: "We are not trying to recreate the old, traditional university, what we are doing is new and dynamic... We will focus on science and technology from level six to ten working with industry and applied research." He said discussions took place between the institute and GMIT in wake of the publication of the Hunt Report last year. Those talks later broadened out to the other institutions in the region. The report commissioned by the Government advised against the creation of any further universities in their current form, but did envisage amending the definition of a university to allow for technological universities. Now, the group is waiting to see the Government criteria for the creation of a technological university which is due to be published in mid-February before moving to the next stage of making an application to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) after collaboration work and detail of how the merger would actually work is cemented. "The beauty is that we already have 12 years of collaboration with the institutions through the Líonra programme," said Prof " Catháin. "There is a strong history since 1999 of collaboration across research, course provision and engagement. The others simply don't have that," he added, referring to discussions between some of the Dublin IT, IADT Dún Laoghaire, IT Blanchardstown and IT Tallaght who have expressed their desire to merge and a possible merger between Carlow IT and Waterford Institute of Technology. Given Government approval, a Border Midlands West Technological University (BMWTU) would create the largest higher education institution in the State with 27,000 students. And it would be hugely welcomed in the midlands. When asked whether the five institutes coming together was workable in the long-term, the AIT chief pointed out that DIT was an amalgamation of six different institutes, University of Ulster operates over four separate campuses and there are good working models already in place in Scotland and Eastern Finland, which cover a similar geographical area and populations to the BMW region. "We are looking to create a differentiated institution, one that will be known for the excellence of its teaching and learning, and for its close collaboration with industry. "Such a technological university will be much more than the sum of its parts, it will be a powerful agent of change in higher education for all the communities and stakeholders involved." He continued that it behoves the leaders of the colleges to do the best for the BMW region and not to be left behind as other institutes move to secure technological university status. With the expectation that an additional 70,000 students will come into third-level between now and 2020, he said they hope to drive on-line learning and video-link lectures, up-skilling, professional learning and facilities for mature students between the five educational institutions. Questioned on the employment implications of any merger for Athlone IT, the college head explained while they would be looking at some levels of specialisation and a greater purchasing power between the group in terms of services which could result in some savings, he stressed it wasn't an economic imperative that was driving the possible merger. Rejecting the argument that funding for third-level facilities is already stretched without new universities coming into being, he said while the HEA had agreed a technological university would cost money to set up, of the institutes are living within constrained resources at present. "In terms of the number of staff that is not changing. If anything we will be looking at growth to meet demand," he commented, adding that the technological university could come into being in next three to five years, or faster if the Government fast tracked the process and the necessary legislation. Prof " Catháin wouldn't be drawn on where the headquarters of the new university would be based or who would be President, citing it as an irrelevancy. What's more important in the process is whether it is working for students and industry, not where any headquarters is based, he stressed. Former Education Minister Mary O'Rourke this week welcomed the news of a possible new technological university for the BMW region. Ms O'Rourke, who was chairman of the board of the college between 1974 and 1979, said: "I'm absolutely delighted at the initiative and as always the college in Athlone is once more becoming a beacon of hope for, not just Athlone, but the Midlands and Ireland, and particularly the West of Ireland."