TU4Dublin and HEInnovate

University Business Forum

5 March 2015Pat O’Donnell

Higher Education System in Ireland

• Binary system:• 7 Universities• 14 Institutes of Technology (IoTs)

• June 2011: New National Strategy:• Maintain binary system, but consolidation of IoTs needed • Merged IoTs may apply for designation as Technological Universities• Defined process, stringent criteria to be met

• TU mission: practice-led, research-informed; – emphasis on:

• levels 6 to 8 in science, engineering and technology• workplace learning• industry-focused R&I

– all provision at levels 9 and 10 by all HEIs to be delivered on a structured collaborative basis

Dublin’s IoTs

• Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) • Merger of technical colleges in 1992, 17,000 students• 37 locations around Dublin to one campus under way• 94th in Times HE “100 under 50”; (DCU 92nd)

• Institute of Technology Tallaght Dublin (ITTD)• Founded 1992, SW Dublin, 5,500 students, >30% p/t, industry

• Institute of Technology Blanchardstown (ITB)• Founded 1999, NW Dublin, 3,000 students

– All three: • Strong industry links, applied research

TU4Dublin Project

• Dublin’s IoTs merging and bidding for TU status• Ireland’s largest HEI, >25% Dublin student pop• Opted to create radical new unitary university on

3 campuses – transformation agenda• Transformation plan based on 9 Foundation

Themes, approved by International Panel Summer 14

• Bottom-up, workgroup-based approach• Mission not yet nailed down!

TU Criteria and Foundation ThemesCriteria Headings1. Mission2. Institutional Profile3. Student Profile4. Staff Profile5. Teaching, Learning

and Curriculum Development

6. Research7. International

Profile8. Leadership,

Management and Governance.

HEA - Process for Designation

Stage 1 Expression of Interest

Stage 2 Submit Implementation

Plan to HEA

Stage 3Evaluation of Plan

Stage 4 Application for

Designation as a TU

Stages

Timeline

Di Integration Day - Dm Merger Day - Du University Day

2014 2015 2016May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

Dublin’s Globally Engaged UniversityThe Enterprising University

• Two closely related Foundation Themes• Established workgroups to address both FTs on:

• Industry Engagement Workgroup• Civic and Community Engagement Workgroup• International Engagement Workgroup• To be established: New Revenues Workgroup

• Discovered emerging thinking matched HEInnovate concept of Entrepreneurial University closely

• Adopted HEInnovate as guiding framework, correlated work to HEInnovate dimensions

• Started to use HEInnovate to disseminate concept

Experience with HEInnovate

• Workgroups find HEInnovate dimensions, sub-headings and supporting material faithful to literature on Entrepreneurial University

• Have produced a set of principles to underpin the new TU, drawing heavily from HEInnovate

• Highly accessible and engaging (interactive) for the unfamiliar user, so very useful for dissemination of the concept

• Has helped influence leadership on mission and vision

Principles for an Engaged and Enterprising University 1-7

1. Collegiate and co-operative participation of all staff towards an agreed vision. 2. To be entrepreneurial in our:

– mind set – (Responsive, Agile, flexible, enabling, innovative, empowered, Can-do/will-do)

– skill-set (Support Systems, QA, Finance, HR, Co-ordination & Reporting); & our– delivery - responsive, flexible, innovative, proactive, impactful, and relevant to our

stakeholders needs3. The TU4D will be entrepreneurial in building its own autonomy through additional

revenue streams4. Develop deep and sustainable Inter-Relationships with Stakeholdersand to implement

the highest standards of Ethical practice and Corporate Social Responsibility.5. Create and deliver a highly engaged student experience6. Organisation based on Subsidiarity with Responsibility, Authority, Accountability, &

Transparency7. Built upon a strong discipline base with cross discipline systems /networks

Principles for an Engaged and Enterprising University 8-13

8. Promotion and fostering of Organic Networks (Staff & Co-Ordination Unit) both internally and externally

9. The creation of an Enabling Professional Services & Infrastructure10. To develop staff and students for a national and international context.11. The deployment of Specialist Entrepreneurial Engagement expertise:

– to promote co-ordinated engagement activity– to improve the visibility of engagement activities.– To develop appropriate data recording, management & reporting mechanisms,

providing accurate & timely business intelligence.

12. Engagement with our region for direct economic development and innovation

An ENGINE for enterprise creation and developmentA HUB of the Innovation Eco-systemAn INTEGRATOR of development services

13. Create a Risk Tolerant learning organisation

Plans to use HEInnovate more

• Need compelling evidence “engaged and enterprising” for TU application

• Convince an international panel meet criteria• Not quantifiable / measurable

• Plan: use self-assessment tool to provide evidence of perceptions of stakeholders of how entrepreneurial institutions are, and trajectory– International credibility of HEInnovate will add much weight

• Risks and sensitivities – need to design experiment carefully

Thank You