‘We will be in a position to deliver a Technological University’ for the South East’ – IT Carlow President

The President of the Institute of Technology, Carlow is confident a resolution to the Technical University of the South East of Ireland issue will be found soon but admits there are still some challenges that remain to be overcome.

Dr Patricia Mulcahy, President of IT Carlow, has given an update on the joint application between her college and Waterford Institute of Technology regarding TUSEI.

It comes in the wake of the confirmation of the establishment of the Munster Technological University last week, the project undertaken by Cork Institute of Technology and the Institute of Technology, Tralee which will see the new university come into effect next year.

In 2018, the Government confirmed the establishment of Technological University, Dublin, the merger of the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), IT Tallaght, and IT Blanchardstown.

Despite ongoing talks between IT Carlow and WIT, agreement on moving the project forward has not yet been reached, but Dr Mulcahy confirmed talks are continuing.

“I can assure you,” Dr Mulcahy said in a letter to staff at IT Carlow, “management of both Carlow and Waterford are further encouraged to overcome the challenges that are currently facing our South East consortium to ensure the delivery of a TU for our regions.

“As with most things in life, the availability of sufficient economic resources can impede or slow down progress on key strategic initiatives.  In the case of TUSEI the financial challenges are significant, both in addressing legacy issues and integrated university academic models.

“During the current academic year, representations have been made to the Higher Education Authority and the Department of Education and Skills, and meetings have taken place with stakeholder representatives, in order to move the project forward.

“Dialogue is also ongoing within our own Institute in identifying potential solutions to address these challenges.  I am confident that with the support of the incoming Government, the Department of Education and Skills and the HEA, as well as all stakeholders within the institutes and regions, that we will be in a position to deliver a TU,” Dr Mulcahy concluded.

The IT Carlow President’s remarks come at a time when it is understood there is an urgency among local politicians in both Carlow/ Kilkenny, Waterford, and the South East as a whole to find a solution to enable the creation of the South East’s own University, an institution which has been mooted since the turn of the millennium.