Government stumps up €2m to get South East University over the line
By COLIN BARTLEY
THE Education Minister has given the Technological University of the South East of Ireland (TUSEI) €2.06 million in funding in an effort to get the project over the line.
The money is being provided under the Higher Education Authority 2019 to assist the restructuring, consolidation and collaborative project which needs to be completed before combining the colleges of Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) and Institute of Technology, Carlow (IT Carlow).
The Government confirmed the two colleges are developing an application in order to gain technological university(TU) status, which it expects will be submitted in the coming months.
Education Minister Joe McHugh was in Kilkenny today to address the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals conference in Lyrath Estate Hotel, where he announced the funding package.
Minister McHugh said: “We all want to see institutes of technology and further education colleges deepen linkages and expand options for students to provide the skills they need for a changing world.
“This funding package will be significant for these third-level institutions to develop and align courses, push on in the field of research and ultimately progress to technological university status.”
Higher Education Minister, Mary Mitchell O’Connor believes the emergence of the technological university sector is the single most important development in the higher education landscape of recent years.
“The technological universities (TU) are pivotal in assisting in the delivery of national strategic priorities as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.
“TUs are anchors in their communities, acting as a catalyst for local and regional economies as employers, and also as incubators for industry and technology.
“Earlier this week as part of Budget 2020, I also announced an effective trebling of funding dedicated to TU development, and progression of €90 million over the period 2020 – 2022.
“In total, this will provide funding for TUs of over €120 million. This is a testament to the significant contribution which we know TUs can make to advancing regional development and socio-economic progress.”
