Ireland’s newest university is officially open for business

A bold new technological dawn for several regions.

Spanning six campuses across four counties, Ireland's first trans-regional university has officially opened its multiple sets of doors as of Friday, 1 October. The Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest – or TUS for short – comprises a student population of over 14,000 with a staff of approximately 2,000 full time and part time staff. The six campuses are housed in Athlone, Limerick (Moylish and Limerick School of Art and Design), Clonmel, Ennis and Thurles. The new university is set to drive development and investment across the midlands and midwest, aiming to offer a "more diverse range of research" and to award degrees in new areas of speciality.

TUS is the result of years of extensive collaboration between Athlone Institute of Technology and Limerick Institute of Technology, with the name derived from the English translation of 'tús' – standing as a new beginning for the combined regions and the students engaging in education there.

“As we emerge from an incredibly challenging period as a result of Covid-19, the future for our education sector and regional development has never been more positive and promising," said Minister of State for Skills and Further Education Niall Collins.

"The launch of TUS here today is a celebration of what can be achieved through collaboration and connectedness across regions which is key to growth and prosperity at a micro and macro level."