Students reimbursed as Cork breaks link

A private college in Cork, which was in discussions with the University of Exeter over degree validation, has returned the deposits of 50 applicants for places on diploma and degree courses.

The Irish Institute of Higher Education said in its literature that it expected degree validation from Exeter in November 1996. The institute grew out of a small business and education college that had been in operation for several years and had awarded its own diplomas.

It opened discussions with the University of Exeter about validation of some conversion courses but, according to one of the directors, "misunderstandings" had occured and the talks had ceased.

The promotional literature had caused some confusion to potential students who contacted the Irish department of education about recognition of the college and whether or not they would be entitled to teach in Irish secondary schools if they obtained a degree from the University of Exeter.

The university confirmed to a Dublin newspaper that it had been in negotiations with the college about to a conversion course to a BA in psychological studies and a conversion course to a BEd but added that no validation agreement had been signed.

The university added that "we have only just heard that the college has entered into a separate amalgamation agreement with another institution. We have had no discussions with the new body and have no knowledge of the academic implications of that amalgamation. We are awaiting further information from Cork on that matter".

One of the IIHE directors said they had returned the deposits to the applicants who could re-apply for diploma courses awarded by the "Irish Academic Council". This little-known council seems to have been set up in the summer and so far has only one reported member - the IIHE itself. The spokesperson was quoted as saying that it was considering opening discussions with other United Kingdom universities adding "and, believe me, there are many interested".

* The National Council for Educational Awards is to be reconstituted, the Irish education minister Niamh Bhreathnach announced.

The council was the subject of a highly-critical draft report from a team of consultants, who claimed that it was neither efficient nor cost-effective. Ms Bhreathnach announced that it is to be reconstituted as a sub-board of a new body, the Irish National Certification Authority, which will supervise and certify all non-university third-level, further and continuation education and training programmes.