South East to finally get University by end of the year: Minister

The Government has reiterated its committment to the creation of a Technological University for the South East (TUSEI).

Speaking at the new Regional Engagement Advisory Group attended by the presidents of Institute of Technology Carlow and Waterford Institute of Technology, Higher Education Minister Simon Harris said: “It is a significant priority for Government, myself as Minister and my Department that the South East attains technological university status this year.

“This region is the only one without any university presence and that is a situation that is not good for the region and which must and will be rectified.”

The TUSEI Regional Engagement Advisory Group has been established by the presidents to support the development of the University.

President of IT Carlow, Dr Patricia Mulcahy, said: “TUSEI will be of, and for, the South East, but with a national and global perspective and reach. Our local stakeholders have been a key part of our story to-date and will remain so.”

WIT President, Prof Willie Donnelly, added: “The members of the advisory group will help us succeed in the final stages of achieving what has been a long-held ambition here in the South East – to establish a university of international standing.”