National Institute for Higher Education

A National Institute for Higher Education (NIHE) (Irish: Foras Náisiúnta um Ard-Oideachas)[1] was a category of higher education institution established in Ireland to provide higher level technical education above the standard of the then established Regional Technical College system, at university level.

Higher level technical education in Ireland was seen to be an area that was poorly served until the advent of these institutions.

Initially this did occur for a short time (1976–1977), however the institutions had all degrees conferred by the National Council for Educational Awards after 1977, this continued until university status was achieved.

Hardiman, chairman of the Investment Bank of Ireland, whilst the deputy chair was Emeritus Professor of Business Administration at University College Dublin.

The original brief of this report was to investigate the creation of a single National Technological University:[2] However the study group found that this title would not be appropriate considering that non-technical disciplines were offered and that one university might limit the innovation which had become the trademark of the two separate institutions:[3]