Presidents of CIT and IT Tralee Welcome the Announcement of the First Technological University
On Tuesday 17th July, An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD, announced Ireland’s first Technological University at DIT’s new campus at Grangegorman. This new university will see the merger of Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), IT Tallaght and IT Blanchardstown. A significant milestone in Irish higher education was reached earlier this year with the enactment of the Technological Universities Bill 2018.
Cork Institute of Technology and the Institute of Technology Tralee have been working towards achieving Technological University designation and the creation of the Munster Technological University (MTU) since 2013. Both Institutes are committed to achieving Technological University status and have as their objective the registration of students into the new regional multi-campus Technological University in September 2019.
Welcoming the announcement at Grangegorman Dr Oliver Murphy, President of IT Tralee, said: “We welcome today’s announcement and congratulate DIT, IT Tallaght and IT Blanchardstown in reaching this historic day. The creation of the Dublin Technological University paves the way for further Technological Universities who are committed to transforming Irish Higher Education. Similarly, the creation of the MTU will help to position Munster and the South West as the next major region outside of Dublin, significantly boosting and enabling regional growth and development. The MTU will build on the unique strengths of both founding Institutions and will be a catalyst for the development of the Irish Higher Education system”.
Dr Barry O’Connor, President of CIT, added: “We believe Munster Technological University presents an exciting platform to facilitate an evolution in Irish Higher Education that will enrich and improve the social, academic and economic fabric of both the Munster region and nationally. Attaining the designation of ‘Technological University’ will be due recognition of the continuous upwards trajectory in the sector which has been developed through the dedicated commitment of our staff. The success and highly regarded contribution of our graduates within enterprise, business and the community generally is clear testament to the status already achieved by both CIT and IT Tralee. The planned-for designation as a TU will further enhance this reputation nationally and internationally“.
Resources and structures have been put in place to successfully deliver the programme of change required to make the MTU a reality and the project has received dedicated funding from the HEA to facilitate this work.
Further queries to: Anne Looney, Communications & Change Management Project Leader (MTU); 066 7191994 or anne.looney@staff.ittralee.ie
