Abstract:

The National Strategy for Higher Education published in 2011, proposed that a new model of university was needed for Ireland – a Technological University. A number of Institutes of Technology in Ireland explored the possibility for amalgamation including three institutions in the Dublin region; Dublin Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown and Institute of Technology, Tallaght (DIT, ITB and ITT), this project became collectively known as the TU4 Dublin. These institutions have collaborated to jointly seek designation as a Technological University with a focus on teaching and learning that is ‘practice-based and research-informed’ (https://www.tu4dublin.ie/).

The context of the educational sector in Ireland is important in relation to the role of the Institutes of Technology in supporting applied learning models and the challenges in transitioning to a Technological University. The Irish government have produced a Technological Universities Bill 2015 which, at the time of this abstract is awaiting adoption as legislation. It is intended that this legislation when adopted will ‘provide for the establishment of technological universities’ (Technological Universities Bill 2015:11). The functions of a Technological University (TU) are defined by the 2015 Bill and the differences between the proposed functions of a TU and the role of the Institute of Technologies in the Irish context will be explored in this research. According to the Hunt report 2011:105.

‘A technological university will be distinguished from existing universities by a mission and ethos that are faithful to and safeguard the current ethos and mission focus of the institutes of technology’

The vision of the TU4 Dublin alliance is to ‘build a modern, vibrant university that provides cohesive and differentiated technological education in Dublin, deeply embedded in the economic, civic, social, creative and cultural life of the city region’ (TU4Dublin Implementation Plan 2014:7). This research will explore the perceptions and challenges from a tripartite perspective from the academic staff, management and students in two of the three Dublin Institutes (DIT and ITB) who are on track to be the first TU in Ireland. A quantitative study will use questionnaires to explore the perceptions and potential challenges of moving from an Institute of Technology to a Technological University in DIT and ITB. It will examine the potential impact on higher education and more specifically on the experiences of staff and students in two of these Institute of Technology. The research will ask is a TU a better model, what are staff/ student perceptions of a TU and what is their views on the differences between Institute of Technology and a TU? Is this model driven by resource implications or is it a better model of a higher education institution? This research will explore the challenges associated with transitioning to a Technological University.

References:
[1] Dublin Technological University Alliance TU4Dublin Implementation Plan (2014) http://www.tu4dublin.ie/contentfiles/publications/TU4Dublin%20Implementation%20Plan%20(5).pdf accessed 3/11/16
[2] National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 – Report of the Strategy Group (the Hunt report) (January 2011)
[3] Technological Universities Bill (2015), Government Publications: Dublin

Keywords:

Dublin Technological University.