Fees should be introduced for those who can afford them, says UCD head
Friday, July 23, 2010
Third level fees should be introduced for those who can afford to pay them, University College Dublin (UCD) president Hugh Brady has said.
Speaking at the MacGill Summer School yesterday, Dr Brady suggested less well-off parents are subsidising university education for richer families.
Using himself as an example, Dr Brady said he was able to afford to spend EUR6,000 to ensure each of his children attended a private secondary school.
"When they enter UCD [or another Irish university] in four years' time, they will have to pay a modest student services charge and will probably ask me to buy a car with the balance!"
"Meanwhile, the tax paid by less well-off parents will continue to subsidise university education for the better off, including my children."
He added it would be irresponsible of third level colleges to increase student numbers before the system is changed, because of cuts to academic staff, library opening hours and a shortage of research equipment.
Earlier this week, the Irish Times reported that a strategy group looking at higher education, chaired by economist Dr Colin Hunt, is expected to back new student charges when it publishes its report in September.
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Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
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