The Connacht-Ulster Alliance has warmly welcomed the designation of the Technological University in the North-West and West.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, TD announced today that GMIT, LYIT and IT Sligo have together been approved for designation as a Technological University (TU).
This is an historic day for the three institutes as the eight campuses of the CUA collectively take a step closer to becoming a TU in the region stretching from north Donegal to south Galway, with many of those locations set to become university towns for the first time.
The new TU will offer almost 600 academic programmes from pre-degree to doctoral level to a student population of 20,000+ students supported by over 2,200 staff.
Welcoming Minister Harris’ announcement, the three presidents, Dr Orla Flynn, President of GMIT, Paul Hannigan, President of LYIT, and Dr Brendan McCormack, President of IT Sligo, said: “The new TU will transform the educational landscape of our region, building talent, driving innovation, research and development and propelling us onto an international stage.
“Working with stakeholders in the region, cross border and beyond, the new TU will support the needs of enterprises, especially SMEs across the region, though employee education and research, to enhance economic, social and cultural prosperity. It will also deepen collaborative partnerships with national, cross-border and international further and higher education institutions as well as organisations in the public and private sectors.
“In due course Minister Harris will formally announce the name and designation day of our new Technological University, and thereafter the appointment of the Chairperson and President. The TU will commence operating as a multi-campus university from designation day”.
Dr Seán Duffy, CUA Executive Project Lead, said: “Today’s announcement is the culmination of many years of work by students, staff and stakeholders across the CUA. It is a testimony to the calibre of our staff and the spirt of collaboration that has developed between CUA colleagues which will serve us well as we prepare for the next phase of the TU development”.
Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, has also welcomed the designation of the Technological University in the North-West and West.
Commenting on the designation, Ibec North-West Regional President Seamus Hughes, said: “The establishment of a Technological University is an immensely positive achievement that will underpin the regions’ future economic and social progress. It is a testament to all involved in delivering a university of scale for the North-West and West regions.
“The University will support more balanced regional growth and will be a key enabler for the regions to realise their potential for growth.
“A dynamic Technological University in the region will build the talent pipeline and significantly increase sustained investment in innovation and R&D. It will unleash the potential of the region to act as an anchor for innovation and high-tech skills development and will enable the region to develop, attract and retain talent, sustainable enterprises and high-quality jobs.”
