A southeast miracle

IN DECIDING TO upgrade Waterford RTC, the Minister for Education is implementing the recommendations of the reports of the two committees that examined the state of third level education and reported in 1995 - the interim report of the Technical Working Group of the Higher Education Authority's Steering Committee, and the committee's final report. She has already announced a new RTC for her Dun Laoghaire constituency and, only weeks ago, a new Blanchardstown RTC in west Dublin both also recommendations of the reports.

Cynics may see it as another pre election announcement, but in Waterford and the southeast it is regarded as nothing short of small miracle.

The region was alone in the country in not having an institution of university level - the eastern region has four, plus the DIT, and there are university campuses in Cork, Limerick, Galway, Derry and Belfast serving the other regions.

One of the consequences, because of the distance and cost of a university education, has been a significantly lower degree admission rate for the region - 18.5 per cent, below the national average and well below Dublin, the southwest, midwest and western regions, which all come in at between 22 and 25 per cent of school leavers.

Waterford is perhaps the most progressive RTC in the State, with 4,500 full time third level students - 1,800 on 15 different degree programmes and 1,500 in part time and continuing education; it is the only one with on campus accommodation.

That Waterford was upgraded while other RTCs weren't is not and should not be the issue. The southeast has no university type institution within easy reach, and it is in this regional context that the decision should be seen. Indeed, it is certain that the campaign for a university for the southeast to be located in Waterford would never have been started had there been such an institution.

This particular decision should not been seen as denigrating the status and work of RTCs. They are highly desirable and necessary institutions, bearing in mind the growing needs of industry and services for specifically trained people with certificate and diploma qualifications, as well as for those with degrees.

WATERFORD PEOPLE have believed that the city, and the region as a whole, have lost out because of the lack of a university. The process of looking for a higher third level institution began as far back as 1977 - seven years after the RTC opened. The movement of top quality students out of the area has amounted to a regional brain drain. Some major industries also seem to have been unwilling to locate in the region because of the absence of such an institution and the concommitant research facilities that would be available especially relevant for the electronics and information technology sectors. In addition, senior executives desire such an institution in their area that their children can attend.

The social and economic benefits that will flow from the new institute of higher education - will be enormous, if one bears in mind the additional staff and students it will attract; the value of an RTC to an area is reckoned conservatively at £10 million a year.

Niamh Bhreathnach will long be remembered in the southeast for what she has done. It's a shame if she is to be damned by the other RTCs for making a good decision, in line with the best expert advice available to her.