Application made to set up technological university

AN application has been made to establish a new technological university in the midlands and mid-west.

The application was made to the Department of Further Education by a group of institutes of technology. If given the green light, the plan would see the likes of the Athlone and Limerick institutes of technology brought under one TU banner for the region.

TU Dublin was the first technological university launched in the State, and an application for a second was made, seeking to dissolve IT Tralee and Cork IT to form Munster Technological University. The latter is expected to be set up on January 1, 2021, subject to approval in the Oireachtas.

Speaking of the application for a midlands/mid-west version of a TU educa

‘This is an exciting prospect for midlands’

tional infrastructure, Minister for Further Education Simon Harris said: ‘This is really welcome news. This is the third application to be made under TU legislation by a consortium of institutes of technology who are seeking to make the step change to a new type of higher education institution.

‘There is a formal legislative process to take place now but this is an exciting prospect for the midlands and midwest and can be regionally hugely transformative.’

Minister of State for Skills and Further Education Niall Collins TD said yesterday: ‘This is a significant step for the mid-west and the midlands and for the TU agenda in Ireland.

Mr Collins added: ‘Today, Minister Harris and I will meet with the presidents of AIT and LIT to discuss the application and thank them for the work in bringing us to this point.

‘I am also pleased to confirm the staff of both i nstitutions have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the TU.’