€5m boost to help make dream of first ever University for South East a reality
An extra €5.1 million has been provided to help make the Technological University of the South East (TUSEI) a reality.
The funding comes after it was recently claimed the region’s first ever university will be established on January 1, 2022.
It is part of an overall €34.33 million package announced by Higher Education Minister Simon Harris to help higher education institutions to attain Technological University status.
The Technological University of the South East will be allocated €4.41 million in the coming weeks, with the final payment drawn down early next year.
Welcoming the funding, the presidents of Waterford Institute of Technnology (WIT) and IT Carlow said in a joint statement: “As presidents of the institutes of technology we welcome the allocation of €5.1m to the TUSEI consortium from the Technological University Transformation Fund and express our appreciation to the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the HEA for their support.
“This substantial funding comes at a pivotal time for the TUSEI project as we move into the final key stages of developing the university.”
Kilkenny TD John Paul Phelan also welcomed the development, adding: “The creation of the Technological University of the South East is more important than ever in the current climate. It will ensure our brightest and best students can study and live in the region and find work here into the future. Far too many leave this area for a university education, never to return.
“The establishment of the TUSE is a key commitment within the Programme for Government and will deliver significant advantages to local and national priorities in relation to Higher Education access, research-informed teaching and learning, as well as supporting enterprise and regional development.”
