"UCC most successful of Irish universities in attracting disabled and disadvantaged students"
In the course of his quarterly presentation to staff at University College Cork today, the President, Dr. Michael Murphy, highlighted some of the key successes of the University as well as a range of continuing challenges.
Remarking that the University’s decision three years ago to tackle its cost base aggressively, committing to eliminate historical deficits, notwithstanding the extraordinary reduction in support from the exchequer, has now delivered dividends. Similarly, the decision to reduce staffing levels by 8% or more rather than the 6% cuts demanded by government has left the University in a position to renew and refresh its academic and support staff. Past financial prudence and tough decisions on staffing levels have enabled UCC to recruit up to 50 new staff in the next year and through, the appointment of fourteen new professors, renew the academic leadership of the University. He warned, however, that while these figures may sound impressive, they pale into insignificance compared with the options available to similar universities in the developed world with which we have to compete for staff and talented students. UCC has eliminated its current deficit which stood at €14m in 2007 and reduced its capital deficit from €49m to €13m in 2011.
Dr. Murphy expressed the hope that the new government will exhibit a more enlightened understanding of the factors that determine the success of universities based on international experience. Contrasting the headlong rush to micro management by the Irish state in recent years with the approach now embraced by Germany which has concluded that all international evidence points to the autonomy of universities to manage their own affairs, while accountable to the state for the expenditure of tax payer’s money as a key ingredient for success. He also cited evidence from the United States that the universities with the greatest freedom to manage their own affairs have been the most successful in converting research investment into tangible benefits for society. Ireland will continue to ignore this evidence at its peril, he said.
The President went on to congratulate the academic and administrative staff charged with opening UCC’s doors to students from schools in disadvantaged areas and to students with disabilities. While he acknowledged that the targets set by the state for inclusion are very challenging, and perhaps unattainable in current economic circumstances, he expressed pride in the fact that UCC is now the most successful of the 7 universities in attracting disabled and otherwise disadvantaged students. He expressed the gratitude of the University to the many donors who have provided philanthropic support amounting to over €2.5m over the past 8 years, targeted at supporting specialised staff, enabling technologies and promotion programmes in the schools in the Munster region.
Dr Murphy concluded by celebrating the balance that has been achieved between measures of academic success and excellence in extra curricular activities not least the winning of the centenary Sigerson Cup in football, the Collingwood in soccer and, of international significance, the retention of the Ultimate Frisbee intervarsity trophy!
Photo: Dr Michael Murphy, President, University College Cork
