The President of the Letterkenny Institute of Technology has warmly welcomed today’s announcement that €2.5 million funding will be granted to progress LYIT’s drive for university status.
President Paul Hannigan said that the investment is a strong endorsement for the LYIT as it deepens partnerships in the Connacht-Ulster region and on a cross-border level.
The funding was announced by Minister Joe McHugh, who said €2.5M was a “phenomenal level of financial backing for further and higher education in the north-west”.
Some €2m is being made available to progress the Connacht Ulster Alliance.
Another €500,000 is being invested in LYIT as part of its deepening links with Ulster University and the North-West College.
Mr Hannigan said: “LYIT is delighted with the funding announcement today from Minister McHugh.
“Two weeks ago the Minister launched our Strategic Plan 2019-23 which clearly articulates our ambitions to achieve technological university status with our partners in IT Sligo and GMIT and also shows our commitment to cross-border collaboration within the North West City Region with Donegal ETB, North West Regional College and Ulster University.
“This funding is a strong endorsement of the Institute’s strategic direction and will help us continue the significant momentum evident in both initiatives at this time.”
Mr Hannigan outlined how the funding means that LYIT will be at the centre of many future developments in education: “The €2m for the Connacht Ulster Alliance will allow the Institutes to continue their drive towards achieving the criteria for technological university. The announcement in Budget 2020 that €90m will be committed to technological universities over the next three years has shown the Government’s commitment to the development of this sector and LYIT will be at the heart of these developments.”
He added: “As the BREXIT negotiations continue, the necessity to support successful cross-border initiatives has never been more important. The cross-border further and higher education alliance comprises LYIT, Donegal ETB, North West Regional College and Ulster University and has worked to ensure a seamless cooperation among these four bodies in the North West City Region.
“This allocation of €500k a really important statement in supporting this strategy and will support the social and economic development of this region.”