Ireland Universities Out Of The Top 100

No Irish universities have made it into the top 100 of the influential Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings. The list is compiled using the views of over 17,000 academics around the world.

This comes as a blow to the State’s international reputation in education, particularly as it seeks to gain an increased share of the international education market.

Last night, Phil Batty of the Times Higher Education publication said Ireland, given its fine tradition in higher education, would be disappointed with its failure to make the list.

“Many nations see having a top 100 institution not just as a source of national pride but also a symbol – encouraging inward investment for attracting the best brains in the world,” he said.

The ranking of Irelands two largest universities have fallen dramatically in recent years after a 6% cut in staff and increased pressure on resources.

In 2007 Trinity College was within the top 50 and University College in the top 100.

Today’s list will raise renewed questions about a long-term funding base for higher education. But university presidents say even this will not be enough as their budgets are only about 60 per cent of those available to comparable colleges in the UK and the rest of the EU.

(H)