Sir, - I am writing to you in relation to the report on The Future Development of the Technological Sector (May 7th). From reading and listening to the coverage which this got, it was very easy to construe that we in Cork RTC had got what were we looking for and that our campaign had reached a successful conclusion. However this is not the case. If anything, the publication of this report has put us further back than we were three months ago. The terms of reference of this group were clearly stated in early February i.e. to advise on the criteria which would be applied to redesignation of colleges and the most appropriate means of independent evaluation. However, instead of carrying out these relatively simple tasks, they delved into other areas which when taken as a whole are very frightening for the students and graduates of my college.
If the recommendations of this report are implemented it would have far reaching consequences for the non university sector of Irish education. The proposed new national accreditation framework the National Institute of Technology - is particularly worrying as this will take a considerable amount of time to get full international recognition, especially if this as proposed will be based on the model in the University Bill 1997 which has already been widely criticised in education circles.
By all colleges being redesignated there is, in effect, no real change. The proposal to have "regional" attached to the new names is particularly worrying especially as this is the second time this has been suggested in a major Irish educational report, having previously been proposed in the Report of the Steering Committee on the Future Development of Higher Education. The attachment of the word "regional" does not reflect the national and international recognition which is be stowed on our institution.
Taking into consideration the above factors we find ourselves with no alternative but to continue with our campaign of direct action for this issue to be satisfactorily resolved once and for all.
We are doing this primarily through my colleague Matty O'Callaghan continuing his campaign as an Independent Candidate in Cork South Central, but we are also using every other medium available to us, to ensure that this issue remains on top of the political and educational agenda. Yours, etc.,
Vice President,
Student Union,
Cork RTC,
Rossa Avenue,
Bishopstown,
Cork.