The Dublin Institute of Technology should not become a university at present, but can become one within three to five years if it makes a range of improvements, an international review group has concluded.
The review group, whose report to the Higher Education Authority was published yesterday, says DIT should be established as a university "if and when" seven conditions are met.
First, there must be improvements in physical facilities, class sizes and the very high level of direct lecturer-to-student teaching. "Greater emphasis should be given to the promotion of self-directed and independent learning and to critical inquiry."
Second, DIT's research capacity should be improved. This is still "modest overall and unevenly distributed throughout the institute", says the review group, with low numbers of Ph.D.s and post-doctoral researchers. It recommends that DIT deepen its collaboration with Trinity College Dublin, to "develop the quality of its courses, particularly at postgraduate level".
TCD should continue to be represented on DIT's Governing Body, and should also be represented on its academic council. The group does not rule out DIT becoming a second college of the University of Dublin, although it notes DIT's concern that other universities "were not interested in a merger because the sheer size of DIT would overwhelm them".
Third, the proportion of academic staff with higher degrees should be increased, so that 35 per cent have doctorates and 55 per cent have master's degrees. The qualifications of staff teaching at sub-degree level should also be upgraded and academic staff should be further trained in research methodology and supervision.
Fourth, the group stressed the DIT should "develop and enhance" its existing strong subdegree and apprenticeship provision, and the institute's charter should reflect its commitment to the DIT's unique multi-level nature.
The Department of Education is particularly happy with this strong emphasis on sub-degree courses, which the institute's senior academics have not been enthusiastic about since it received degree-awarding powers last year.
Fifth, the DIT should ensure effective systems of monitoring standards. "The existence of an authoritative and self-sustaining system of monitoring research standards in the institute will be a sine qua non of the grant of university status," the group warned. "Specific attention is required now in relation to quality assurance and peer review processes in the postgraduate and research areas."
Sixth, there should be further development of DIT's access programme, which because of its dispersed city-centre location and multi-level nature, is particularly well-placed to serve mature and disadvantaged students.
Seventh, it should develop its existing strong links with industry, "paying particular attention to research into the evolving needs for skills at apprenticeship, craft and technician level".
The review group says these conditions "could reasonably be met within three to five years". Progress towards those targets should be kept under review by the Higher Education Authority, which, "when appropriate", would make a recommendation to the Minister for Education about the granting of university status.
The DIT president, Dr Brendan Goldsmith, welcomed the report, saying it was "a clear recognition that DIT is now in the final phase of its transition to a university and that the process can be completed in a short period of time". He felt confident the institute could complete the work programme within three years.