THE composition of the expert group to advise on the evaluation and possible redesignation of the State's regional technical colleges was announced last night by the Minister for Education, Ms Breathnach.
The group will advise the Minister on the criteria to be applied to the redesignation of an RTC as an institute of technology, as well as the most appropriate way to evaluate those criteria independently.
Prof Dervilla Donnelly, who chaired the National Education Convention, has been asked to chair the group. She is a former associate professor of organic chemistry in University College Dublin and was the first woman president of the Royal Dublin Society. She is currently chairwoman of both the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies and the Custom House Docks Development Authority.
The other individuals who have been invited to participate in the 10-person group are Mr C. Noel Lindsay, chairman of the Higher Education Authority; Mr Dick Langford, chairman of Teastas, the new national certification authority; Dr Mary Upton, chairman of the National Council for Educational Awards; Dr Sean McDonagh, chairman of the council of directors of RTCs; Mr Joe McGarry, secretary of the council of directors; Ms Alice Prendergast, president of the Teachers Union of Ireland, and Mr Colman Byrne, president of the Union of Students in Ireland.
Ms Breathnach also plans to add two further educational experts to the group.