€5.1million in funding has been allocated for the Technological University of the South East of Ireland (TUSEI) project.
The government is investing €34.33 million euro this year to assist the development and progression of technological universities across the country.
Minister @SimonHarrisTD has today announced of €34.33m in Transformation Funding for Technological Universities to deliver for regions and communities across the country.
Read More here: https://t.co/yVcA9MAtzl #HEA— Department of Further and Higher Education (@DeptofFHed) October 7, 2020
The allocation has been welcomed by the presidents of Institute of Technology Carlow and Waterford Institute of Technology.
The TUSEI project had applied to the multi-annual Technological Universities Transformation Fund (TUTF) for funding support in respect of the costs arising in working towards designation as a technological university, in line with the Technological Universities Act 2018.
The funding announcement from the Higher Education Authority (HEA) comes as the institutes have moved to the advanced stages of the process of establishing a technological university in the South East region.
The institute presidents issued a joint statement this afternoon:
"As presidents of the institutes of technology we welcome the allocation of €5.1m to the TUSEI consortium from the Technological University Transformation Fund and express our appreciation to the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the HEA for their support.
"This substantial funding comes at a pivotal time for the TUSEI project as we move into the final key stages of developing the university.
"It will underpin our commitment to the establishment of the TU on 1 January 2022 and demonstrates the confidence that the Minister and the HEA have in our commitment and our capacity to deliver a successful technological university for our region and Ireland."
The announcement of €5.1m funding from @hea_irl, @DeptofFHed, @SimonHarrisTD for the Technological University of the South East of Ireland (TUSEI) project has been welcomed by the presidents of @itcarlow and @waterfordit. https://t.co/yQvoIrLMna
— SETU Waterford (@waterfordit) October 7, 2020
Waterford Fine Gael Senator John Cummins says the creation of a University in the South East is of the utmost importance.
"Thankfully it now appears that momentum exists to realise the ambition of creating a Higher Education Institution of International repute here in the South East. The skills and talent to realise that goal has always been here but unfortunately the drive to ensure it happened has been lacking in some quarters. It is great that both institutes are working towards a defined timeline of designation in January 2022, with the application being submitted in late Spring/early Summer next year."
He added "A cross-party group of South-East Oireachtas members met with Minister Harris yesterday and a further meeting is being organised in early November with the Chairpersons and Presidents of both institutes, project lead Tom Boland and the Minister. The funding announced today is further evidence of the government's commitment to seeing this project delivered for the young people and businesses of the region."
Kilkenny's John Paul Phelan says the creation of the Technological University of the South East is more important than ever in the current climate.
"It will ensure our brightest and best students can study and live in the region and find work here into the future. Far too many leave this area for university education, never to return.
"The establishment of the TUSE is a key commitment within the Programme for Government and will deliver significant advantages to local and national priorities in relation to Higher Education access, research-informed teaching and learning, as well as supporting enterprise and regional development".
