Carlow IT has said it is shocked and disappointed at a decision by Waterford IT not to go ahead with merger plans to apply to set up a technological university in the southeast.
Both colleges were due to submit a combined proposal to set up a university.
It is understood WIT believes the criteria for establishing a technological university would be met quicker if it goes it alone.
However, sources connected with the technological university process have said WIT is looking to change the rules of the game.
They said that while the process of merging resources is advancing among the two other applicant clusters, the WIT and IT Carlow bid stalled due to a lack of communication between the two parties.
The institute's governing body has met to discuss concerns about the process of delivering a university in the southeast.
WIT will meet the Higher Education Authority and officials from the Department of Education tomorrow morning to discuss its decision to pull out of a joint application.
It has decided to suspend all activities related to the merger with IT Carlow.
It is not known when the business plan will be submitted by WIT to apply for university status.
