National Institute for Higher Education
Encyclopedia
A National Institute for Higher Education (NIHE) was a category of higher education
institution established in the Republic of Ireland
to provide higher level technical education above the standard of the then established Regional Technical College system but at university
level. Higher level technical Education in the Republic of Ireland
was seen to be an area that was poorly served until the advent of these institutions.
The plan was to see degree
level education mainly. The first institution was set up in Limerick, where there had been long-standing demand for a university, in fact a "University of Limerick" was proposed inter alia in the late 1960s by the Lichfield Report. The institution at Dublin was to be the unified campus of what later became Dublin Institute of Technology
, but instead a new institution was developed similar to Limerick.
In the 1970s it was expected that the institutions would be recognised colleges of the National University of Ireland
, in time this status been raised to constituent college status. Initially this did occur for a short time (1976–1977), however the institutions had all degrees conferred by the National Council for Educational Awards
after 1977, this continued until university status was achieved.
The institutions were de-facto universities from the start, and were elevated to the level of university in 1989 after the International Study Group on Technological Education presented its recommendations in the late 1980s to the Irish Government
on their status. The original brief of this report was to investigate the creation of a single National Technological University, however the study group found that this title would not be appropriate considering that non-technical disciplines were offered and that one university might limit the innovation which had become the trademark of the two separate institutions.
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
institution established in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
to provide higher level technical education above the standard of the then established Regional Technical College system but at university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
level. Higher level technical Education in the Republic of Ireland
Education in the Republic of Ireland
The levels of education in Ireland are primary, secondary and higher education. In recent years further education has grown immensely. Growth in the economy since the 1960s has driven much of the change in the education system. Education in Ireland is free at all levels, including college , but...
was seen to be an area that was poorly served until the advent of these institutions.
The plan was to see degree
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
level education mainly. The first institution was set up in Limerick, where there had been long-standing demand for a university, in fact a "University of Limerick" was proposed inter alia in the late 1960s by the Lichfield Report. The institution at Dublin was to be the unified campus of what later became Dublin Institute of Technology
Dublin Institute of Technology
Dublin Institute of Technology was established officially in 1992 under the but had been previously set up in 1978 on an ad-hoc basis. The institution can trace its origins back to 1887 with the establishment of various technical institutions in Dublin, Ireland...
, but instead a new institution was developed similar to Limerick.
In the 1970s it was expected that the institutions would be recognised colleges of the National University of Ireland
National University of Ireland
The National University of Ireland , , is a federal university system of constituent universities, previously called constituent colleges, and recognised colleges set up under the Irish Universities Act, 1908, and significantly amended by the Universities Act, 1997.The constituent universities are...
, in time this status been raised to constituent college status. Initially this did occur for a short time (1976–1977), however the institutions had all degrees conferred by the National Council for Educational Awards
Higher Education and Training Awards Council
The Higher Education and Training Awards Council , the legal successor to the National Council for Educational Awards , grants higher education awards in Ireland in the extra-university system...
after 1977, this continued until university status was achieved.
| Former Institute | Current University | Announced | Opened | University Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick | University of Limerick University of Limerick The University of Limerick is a university in Ireland near the city of Limerick on the island's west coast. It was established in 1972 as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick and became a university by statute in 1989 in accordance with the University of Limerick Act 1989... |
1969 | 1972 | 1989 |
| National Institute for Higher Education, Dublin | Dublin City University Dublin City University Dublin City University is a university situated between Glasnevin, Santry, Ballymun and Whitehall on the Northside of Dublin in Ireland... |
1971 | 1980 | 1989 |
The institutions were de-facto universities from the start, and were elevated to the level of university in 1989 after the International Study Group on Technological Education presented its recommendations in the late 1980s to the Irish Government
Irish Government
The Government of Ireland is the cabinet that exercises executive authority in Ireland.-Members of the Government:Membership of the Government is regulated fundamentally by the Constitution of Ireland. The Government is headed by a prime minister called the Taoiseach...
on their status. The original brief of this report was to investigate the creation of a single National Technological University, however the study group found that this title would not be appropriate considering that non-technical disciplines were offered and that one university might limit the innovation which had become the trademark of the two separate institutions.