The announcement of a Technological University for the West/North West was welcomed this week by Michael Ring TD, who stated: "This a significant day for the West and North West and for higher education generally. TUs are step-change institutions in the higher education landscape.
"They are embedded in their regions with strong links to local enterprise, business and community stakeholders and provide research-informed and applied teaching and learning excellence in pursuit of more balanced regional engagement and development through expanded higher education access and pathways and lifelong learning progression.
"The three institutions have come together to make this application and in it the case for a new TU, with campuses encompassing Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal. 74 per cent voted in favour of the memorandum in Galway-Mayo IT branch, 86 per cent voted in favour of the memorandum in IT Sligo branch and 89 per cent voted in favour of the memorandum in Donegal College's branch.
"The potential for a TU in Connacht Ulster could drive the development of higher education and regional growth in the West and North West with strong cross-border links. Minister Harris is now required to appoint an advisory panel including international experts to assess the application and to be furnished with their report, the views of the Higher Education Authority on it and any other relevant information considered relevant before making his decision within legislatively prescribed timeframes."
