Two Of Ireland's Most Popular Creative Colleges May Merge

The merging of the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) in Dún Laoghaire and the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) in Dublin is in the works according to a report that’s being published later this year.

Both colleges are two of the most well-known creative art institutions in the country, and the merging of the two will hopefully bring some much needed funding to the colleges.

The report which is backed by the Higher Education Authorities, states that the two third level education institutions should merge and form a ‘University of creative arts’.

This would boost IADT’s standing, as it would bring them from an institute to a University, where-as NCAD is already a University and a recognised college of UCD (formerly NUI).

The over-all expected output from this report is that creative arts in Ireland will be promoted by the HEA, as well as the two colleges themselves.

With 1600 students in NCAD, and 2,500 in IADT, this merger will bring a lot more opportunity to the colleges. Although, among themselves, students from either colleges have always had an unofficial feud going on between them, and whether or not the merger will go down well is unsure.

So a lecturer in NCAD authored a report in 2016 suggesting NCAD and IADT should merge? Fuck right off. I applied to IADT for a reason. It has it's faults but give me IADT over NCAD any day of the week.

— Bubble Alchemist (@amyplify) June 8, 2018

Speaking to The Irish Times, a spokesperson from NCAD said: “We are aware through ongoing discussion with the HEA about a number of potentials that have been proposed, but as we have not received the specific report you refer to, we cannot comment.”

Speaking to The Irish Times, Dr. Annie Doona, president of IADT, said: “Anything that enhances IADT’s reputation as the leading provider of third-level education in the creative, art and design sectors is welcomed.”

Both colleges have been sent a copy of the report to discuss.