One Of The Most Famous Irish Colleges Is Fighting For University Status
The Royal College of Surgeons is appealing to the government to grant it university status. Currently the RSCI is something of an anomaly as the college is allowed to promote itself as a university abroad, but not within the state.
They believe that this loophole leaves them open to "potential reputational damage and accusations of misrepresentation".
The use of the term “university” is subject to the Universities Act 1997, which controls what institutions can call themselves universities.
In a statement, the RCSI confirmed it was eager to remove its “out of State only” caveat in regards to its use of the term “university”.
It’s not helpful. It limits our capability to attract students. We find it difficult to explain the restriction – and hence have been playing down the ‘university authorisation’ given to us.
The restriction is an unhelpful anomaly which inhibits the medical, educational, social and economic contribution we make to Ireland.
Obstacles that have been blocking the RSCI from being recognised as a university include governance arrangements and that it operates outside of public sector pay controls, although the RSCI maintains that although it is a primarily self funded college it is not a private institution.
H/T: The Irish Times