Academics in the UK are showing an interest in moving to Ireland because of Brexit, but there is an urgent need to substantially increase investment in Irish third level education, Oxford University vice-chancellor Prof Louise Richardson has said. However, she said the Government needed to make a “financial settlement” – especially in light of recent economic growth – and restore third level in the State’s universities if Ireland is to benefit from the opportunities. The lack of education funding was evident, with Irish universities falling in global rankings, she told the conference, which sought to identify ways to increase co-operation in research and higher education post-Brexit. World-class researchProf Richardson said her message to the UK government was that universities were vital to economic growth. She said it was essential that the UK had the strongest possible relationship with the EU and retained the ability to undertake world-class research, attract the best academics and ensure “freedom of movement”.

Source: The Irish Times May 10, 2018 20:37 UTC