HEA Publishes Roadmap For Higher Education Reforms

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) today published a series of papers that set out a roadmap for implementing significant reform in Irish higher education, following on from the recommendations of National Strategy for Higher Education.

A key objective of the measures, now published, is the creation of a more coherent system of higher education institutions, coordinated by the HEA to deliver the complementary range of institutions and academic programmes needed by individuals, society and the labour market. High levels of inter-institutional collaboration will be required so that specialisation at institutional level does not lead to diminished opportunities and choices for students at regional and national levels.

The papers published are 'Towards a Future Higher Education Landscape' which provides a basis for institutions to review their mission and how the institution would fit into the coherent system now being developed; 'Process and Criteria for Designation as a Technological University'; and 'Guidelines on Regional Clusters' which sets out how clusters of institutions are to be formed to serve regional needs.

In a letter accompanying the papers, the CEO of the HEA, Mr Tom Boland asks each institution to make a submission to the HEA within six months setting out its strategic intentions as to where it proposes to position itself in the Irish higher education system. Submissions are to cover such areas as the institution’s distinctive mission, its preferred institutional type and structure having regard to current strengths, its institutional alliances and its involvement in regional clusters and any other matters relevant to its future strategic development. In addition, the HEA also indicate that they will address such areas as funding for performance, unnecessary duplication of course provision, the future of small publicly funded institutions and the role of private higher education providers.

Mr Boland said: "The publication of these guidelines and frameworks mark the beginning of an intense period which will, by the end of this year, see the HEA advising the Minister on an appropriate structure, or blueprint, for the Irish higher education system for the years ahead."

(CD/GK)