"This is a red letter day for the South East."
Ireland's newest university is set to open its doors ahead of the Leaving Cert this year.
Simon Harris, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Science and Innovation, Simon Harris,
announced that the new technological university for the South East would open on 1 May.
Former Provost of Trinity College, Dr Patrick Prendergast, is set to serve as the first chairperson for the university.
“After decades of debate, the technological university for the South East is finally a reality," Minister Harris said.
“Today, I have formally granted designation status to the fifth technological university in the state.
“This is the first university presence in the region and marks a truly historic moment in higher education for staff, students, regional stakeholders and local communities in the South East.
"We will continue to invest in this new university, with new campuses in Wexford and Waterford, so that the footprint of the technological university will benefit the whole region."
“I would like to sincerely thank and warmly congratulate the very many people from the two institutions, including their management, governing bodies, staff, representative bodies and, of course, the students themselves, as well as wider regional and local community stakeholders, who have delivered this TU to the region following a decade of effort," he concluded.
https://twitter.com/DeptofFHed/status/1495729743039287296?s=20&t=UBzffq-kjTY96snYLqj3DA
Institute of Technology Carlow (IT Carlow) and Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) jointly applied for technological university (TU) designation on 30 April 2021, under the Technological Universities Act 2018.
Following a rigorous assessment process, the application was approved and first announced
three months ago.
Current IT Carlow and WIT students will graduate in 2022 with university qualifications.
"This is a red letter day for the South East," Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said.
“I’ve been campaigning for this day for many years, and I heartily congratulate the colleges and Minister Harris for getting us to this point. This new university will help us to secure more economic investment for the region.
“Indeed, I think some of the new IDA jobs we secured for Waterford and Kilkenny in the past year were spurred by the assurance that this would happen. The new university will also lead to more indigenous businesses being founded in the region fostering more job creation.
“Crucial to making an economic success of Ireland’s South East region is retaining and attracting talent and creating well-paid jobs. It’s a virtuous circle. Making higher education accessible to all is the best way to make Ireland a country of equal opportunities," he added.
