Europeanisation of Irish universities

Abstract

Europeanisation is defined broadly as the range of activities, initiatives, networks or programmes within Irish universities which are based on a European orientation or have some clear European (rather than solely Irish or other international) dimension.

This process of Europeanisation has impacted in a variety of ways on Irish universities ranging from the immediately visible student and staff mobility programmes (ERASMUS, ECTS), through the university - industry linkages programmes (COMETT) to participation in pre-competitive research programmes (BRITE, ESPIRIT). It also embraces the more low profile adjustments to curricula and subject content arising from a European dimension or focus, as well as administrative adjustments made.

The extent to which Irish universities have been affected by the various EC programmes is outlined and set in a relevant European context, where Ireland accounts for less than 1 percent of the EC's university student body.

An important theme in the latter part of the paper is the nature of the way universities themselves are changing (in Ireland and other EC countries). The focus on utilitarianism, lessening dependence on national governments for funding, greater dependence on the market and stronger links to industry are trends which are affecting Irish universities in common with those in other EC countries. This puts pressure on the humanities and the development of the so-called ‘vehicular’ disciplines within universities which reflect the essence of the critical influence universities should espouse. Universities should be the conscience of society and are in danger of losing their role as the ‘esprit critique’ of the social systems in which they reside. The focus on ‘relevance’ can threaten the independence which gives them a unique role in society. Universities (Irish and European) themselves will need to preserve the values which provided them with a millenium or more of sustained influence in European society against external threats.