New independent expert appointed to speed up University for the South East
A university for the South East is “absolutely vital” and is a priority for the government according to the new Higher Education Minister.
Late yesterday, Minister Simon Harris announced that the former CEO of the Higher Education Authority, Mr Tom Boland had been appointed as an independent expert to speed up the process of the joint application for the Technological University of the South-East.
The plans have been in limbo since staff at the Institute of Carlow voted against plans to merge with Waterford Institute of Technology last year. Since then two Technical Universities have been or are in the process of setting up, Technological University of Dublin and Munster Technological University.
While making the announcement about Mr Boland’s appointment, Minister Simon Harris said the delivery of a Technological University for the South-East is a priority for this government. The Minister is expecting progress by the end of the year.
The Minister believes it is an essential project for the region and said: “I see this a huge opportunity for the South East, not just for a technological University, but also an opportunity to draw down capital funding to further improve the infrastructure that’s already in Waterford and Carlow.”
“It’s absolutely vital we have one for the south-east as it’s the only region in the country that has no university.
“Today I’m very pleased to announce that we’re appointing an independent expert called Tom Boland, he’s a former CEO of the Higher Education Authority to work with the Institutes in getting their application ready to submit to me as quick as possible to form a Technological University, so I see today as a milestone in ensuring that we deliver a Technological University for the South East.” he concluded.
