Debate Over Plan to Create New Irish University

The presidents of Ireland's existing universities are objecting to a plan to create a new, technologically oriented university, but they are also denying that they are elitists, The Irish Times reported. The proposed new university would combine smaller technology institutes, and proponents say that the plan would improve the education provided to students. But the current university presidents say that the new institution would lack important characteristics of universities, such as major doctoral programs.