In May 2022, the Irish Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) launched a “policy vision for a more unified tertiary education and research system…as part of the mission to develop Ireland’s higher and further education and research and innovation systems, to ensure they are capable of meeting the diverse needs of all people.”

 Tom Boland and Ellen Hazelkorn were appointed to advise the Minister and his Department. As part of our work, we are writing several thought-leadership papers, which will feed into a Tertiary Education Strategy for Ireland.

Paper 1 has just been published (26 October 2023).

Paper 1 sets out the context for why a unified tertiary system is being discussed and promoted now; examines the current Irish post-secondary education and training system – successes and challenges – and considers the implications for skills, the economy, and society. It does this while placing Ireland’s experience within the context of trends, developments and policy-making, internationally. It outlines, at a high level, what a well-functioning unified tertiary system might look like and the risks and challenges achieving this outcome presents. It concludes with some prompts to further and deeper discussion by way of questions to think about as we move forward.

The next papers will look at:

·  Governance, regulation, and funding of a unified tertiary education and training system, based on strong institutional autonomy, including more effective inter-institutional collaboration, and maintenance of institutional diversity and missions.

·   Regional Research and Innovation Ecosystems including place-based and place-responsive collaboration between different parts of the tertiary education system (further education and training FET, technological universities, and research universities), enterprise, and civil society.

Read Paper 1: Progressing a Unified Tertiary System for Learning, Skills and Knowledge ; https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/274674/55b61db6-b366-48f8-9a13-549b61d726d6.pdf#page=null

For further information about the Irish government initiative: https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/4d5cb-unified-tertiary-system/#reports