The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Science and Innovation Simon Harris TD has today announced a Technological University is to be established in the South East in the 2021/2022 academic year.
A joint application was made in April on behalf of WIT and IT Carlow (known as the TUSEI consortium) under the Technological Universities Act 2018.
At a meeting of the South East Oireachtas members, chairs and presidents, the Minister said that all parties were working toward the new technological university opening its doors by May 1st 2022.
Minister Harris said:
"This is a really exciting day for higher education in the South East region, signaling the establishment next year of a multi-campus university presence across the region.
Years in the making
The campaign for a university in the South East has been ongoing for decades with the issue raised locally and nationally consistently by lobby groups, politicians and other stakeholders in the region.
As recently as October, Independent TD for Waterford Matt Shanahan tackled An Taoiseach Míchéal Martin in the Dáil on the issue of a university for the South East, accusing the government of dragging its heels over many years.
Tech university to bring "enhanced opportunities"
Commenting further, Minister Harris said "the new technological university will become a reality next year, and the South East can look forward to it increasing higher education access, driving enhanced regional development and increasing opportunities for students, staff, business and enterprise, and local communities across Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford... Students graduating in the current academic year will be the first to do so in the region with locally sourced university qualifications.”
The Minister offered congratulations and thanks to the "very many people from the two Institutions including their management, governing bodies, staff, students and the wider regional and community stakeholders who have enabled today’s announcement and who can now look forward to an exciting future for this new university."
Plans to establish a governing body
The Department of Higher Education will shortly be inviting expressions of interest for the roles of chairperson and two external members of what should become the first governing body of the new TU.
Welcoming the announcement, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar TD said: "This is really excellent news for the South-East. It will make it easier for the IDA to secure foreign direct investment for the region and is sure to become an incubator for new Irish businesses which will become major employers in their own right. University of Limerick had a transformative effect on the city and Mid-West region. I believe the same can happen now in Waterford and the South-east."
Expansion of the Campus footprint
The establishment of TUSEI during the current academic year will include an expansion of the footprint of the current Waterford IT campus, Waterford Senator John Cummins said following a meeting with Higher Education Minister Simon Harris today.
It has yet to be announced where the HQ of the new TU will be based.
WIT reaction
President of WIT Willie Donnelly said, “Today is a hugely significant day for the staff and students at IT Carlow and WIT, our many stakeholders, and the future generations who will be empowered by a university degree while living at, or near, home. We have long promised we would deliver a university of international standing for the region. Thanks to the hard work and ambition of our staff and students, we are on the crest of creating the first university for the region.
"Of course, the student and their families and communities are at the heart of everything we do. Our new status will help positively transform the South East, making it even more attractive to indigenous SMEs and foreign direct investment by linking knowledge, research, education, innovation and international collaboration. We will remain focused on the delivery of a university of international standing and look forward to an exciting future for this new TU and the region it will serve.”
Chair of WIT Governing Body Jim Moore commented, “I am delighted to see the great effort undertaken by both institutes culminate in today’s announcement in relation to the creation of Ireland’s newest TU.
"The university will inspire and serve its students, staff and the region with dedication and distinction, futureproofing higher education across the South East through learning, research and engagement. The future is indeed bright, and we can now look forward to starting this new chapter in our story.”
