A lobby group has been formed in Waterford to fight for a 'University of substance' for the region.
The Friends of the University for the South East, or FUSE for short, is made up of business leaders and those concerned about the direction the university issue is going in.
The group is demanding proper funding, the headquarters to be located in Waterford and for the new School of Business to be built here.
One of the group's founders Richard Finnegan said "If this is the only show in town, we need to get the best deal for Waterford".
Fuse say "failure to deliver a university of substance to the South East will not be tolerated. This is the one issue that has united all people, from all backgrounds, across the entire region. The electorate of the region are well-informed about how this decision will be made and they are under no illusion as to the fact that this is entirely political in nature. A government that fails to deliver the requirements of those who elected them will not be returned to power – make no mistake. Any movement made, must be made appropriate to the status of our existing institutes. Existing excellence, track record, and capacity be capitalised upon not diminished. Deliver our university, deliver our future!"
The South East has suffered incredibly from 'brain drain'. Generations of students have left due to the absence of a university offering. How will the proposed TUSE actually address this and give students an equitable experience when details are so unclear? #fuse #AskQuestions pic.twitter.com/5mtFfjEmAX
— thefusecampaign (@thefusecampaign) February 1, 2021
For more information check out www.thefuse.ie