Timeframe for new University of South East finally unveiled

The formal establishment of the long-awaited Technological University of the South East of Ireland (TUSEI) will begin on January 1, 2022, it was confirmed this morning.

The annoucement was made by the governing bodies and the presidents of Waterford Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology Carlow in a briefing note to business and other community leaders.

The two educational facilities have a combined student body of 18,500 and around 1,800 staff.

After ongoing talks between the two educational facilities, it was announced the institutes are now in the final stages of establishing the TU. The colleges confirmed both institutes will apply to the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research and Innovation Simon Harris in late spring/early summer 2021 for an order to formally establish the university.

This application will set off a series of steps, including a review by a panel of international experts. A formal decision on the university will be made by Minister Harris next summer. A period of time will then be required to prepare fully for establishment day and to appoint a president for the new university.

Both colleges announced a range of structural changes to drive the project. These include the establishment of a Project Office with a dedicated Project Executive Director, as well as “wide-ranging staff engagement”. A Joint Governing Body Steering Group will oversee the project.

The briefing note says: “Our objective is that, on 1 January 2022, the Minister will establish the university. We have a high level of confidence that we will achieve TU status within this time.

“Our confidence is based upon the commitment of our staff and students, who have already contributed so much to its achievement, and to the support directly and indirectly of our most valued stakeholders,” the statement concludes