TCD expansion plan to cost EUR475m

For the first time in its 400-year history, Trinity College Dublin has launched a strategic plan for its future.

The €475 million five-year plan includes building projects, improved student facilities, a doubling of the number of students from disadvantaged areas and a drive to attract more international students.

Additional recurrent funds of €38 million per year will be required to fund the programme.

The Provost of TCD, Dr John Hegarty, described the plan as "very ambitious", but said that it was essential if the university was to compete on an international basis.

Education spending had to be seen as "an investment in the future, not a cost", he said. The Government would have to recognise the need to develop in order that there could be competition for staff with universities such as Harvard.

Funding for some 40 per cent of the plan had already been earmarked, Dr Hegarty said, and work would soon begin on a new self-financing sports centre. The remaining 60 per cent of funding would be sought from the Government mainly, but also from the private sector as well as from philanthropic individuals and organisations.

"We expect that the college will continue to be successful in securing competitive research funds from organisations such as Science Foundation Ireland, the Health Research Board, Enterprise Ireland, the European Union and others," Dr Hegarty said.

The college submitted its plan to the Higher Education Authority on Tuesday.

Dr Hegarty said that the plan was aimed at improving the scope of Trinity's research initiatives, the quality of teaching and the college's contribution to the city of Dublin. He wanted to see the number of students from disadvantaged backgrounds doubled to 5 per cent and he hoped that international students would soon make up 20 per cent of the 15,000-strong student population.

New facilities will include space for the research needs of post-graduate students and staff as well as a new student centre to house clubs and societies.

"The additional space requirements for the period of the plan are in the order of 40,000 metres squared and an additional 1,500 residential units for students," he said. "Ideally, all first-year students from outside Dublin and from overseas will be living in student accommodation organised and operated to enhance community experience and the college experience."

TCD is also looking at expanding along the "strategic corridor" between College Green and St James's Hospital, which has become a major hub for the college. A new dean of students is to be appointed under the plan to promote the greater involvement of students based in hospitals and off the main campus on College Green.

Under the plan, the college will concentrate on four research areas:

• Health sciences and health management;

• The information society;

• Social policy and globalisation;

• Culture and creative arts.

Dr Hegarty said that the college's goal was to become "the world reference point and leader" in at least one of these sub-themes in the next five to 10 years.

Benchmarking is to be introduced for all courses and all departments and a "root and branch" review of the college's allocation of resources is to take place.

Dr Hegarty said that the college was also keen to play a greater role in the development of Dublin city and was working on plans to "rejuvenate" the Pearse Street area.

However, the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, moved quickly to rule out any special funding for the development plan. "I don't foresee any special capital budgets," he said yesterday.

Noting that there was a tendency for people to decide they needed infrastructure "and that the taxayer needs to pay for it".

He said he hoped that TCD would be able to fund the plan out of the already large sums going into third level education.

MAIN POINTS

• A centre for academic practice and student learning will be established.
• Increased access will be provided for mature students and students from diverse ethnic groups.
• The number of disadvantaged students participating in the Trinity Access Programme will be doubled, depending on Government
support.
• Work on a new sports centre will begin later this year, followed by a student centre.
• The feasibility of 1,500 additional residences for students and staff will be examined.
• The number of students taking Masters and PhD degrees will be increased to about 2,000 and opportunities for part-time postgraduate teaching will be developed.
• Priority will be given to research programmes in the areas of health sciences and health management; the Information Society; public social policy and globalisation; culture and the creative arts.
• All existing staff policy will be reviewed, including the policy for staff on contract.
• Benchmarking will be introduced for all courses and departments and the college's governance structure will be reviewed.
• The rejuvenation of the Pearse Street area will be the first priority when discussions are held with Dublin City Council on the development plan.
• A Dean of Students will be established.