“The Minister of Education has heard that an amalgamation between St Angela’s College in Sligo with the proposed new technological university for the north west makes more sense than continuing the link with NUI Galway …” (more)
[Ocean FM, 15 January]
“A Freedom of Information request by the Waterford News & Star suggests that IT Carlow were not consulted on the appointment of Mr Tom Boland in advance of his assignment by Minister for Higher Education, Simon Harris on July 28, 2020 …” (more)
[Darren Skelton, Waterford News & Star, 2 January]
“As Barry O’Connor steps down as president of Cork Institute of Technology, he is confident that the college is in a secure and healthy position. Yesterday saw the establishment of the Munster Technological University (MTU). The consortium of Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and Institute of Technology Tralee (ITT) has six campuses in Co Cork and Co Kerry, and a student body of 18,000 …” (more)
[EchoLive, 2 January]
“Today marks the formal establishment of the Munster Technological University (MTU), and the beginning of a new dawn for the region. This is only our second technological university in the country, and is a major step forward in ensuring each region in the country has access to a university …” (more)
[Simon Harris, Irish Examiner, 1 January]
“The creation of Ireland’s newest university, Munster Technology University (MTU), has been hailed as a historic development for both the education sector and the economy. MTU is formally created today through the merger of Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and Institute of Technology Tralee (ITT) …” (more)
[Ralph Riegel, Independent, 1 January]
“… the development of the proposed TUSE between WIT and Carlow IT will be a tremendous political challenge. Many people here are afraid of a shabby political betrayal. A recent Zoom meeting between the heads of WIT, Carlow IT and staff from both institutions, facilitated by Tom Boland, demonstrated the extent to which Carlow IT has been allowed to dominate the proceedings although it is by far the smaller institution …” (more)
[Waterford News and Star, 21 December]
“The Munster Technological University (MTU) will be inaugurated on January 1st 2021, exactly two years on from the establishment of TU Dublin. Currently, three other consortia of Institutes of Technology are preparing their submissions for TU designation. A structure is now in place and a momentum has built up with the potential to transform Irish higher education …” (more)
[Barry O’Callaghan, Irish Times, 20 December]
“Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the technological university resources will now be rebalanced to align with the aspirations of Project Ireland 2040 to support regional growth given that the university sector has grown by 40% since 2000 and the institute of technology sector has grown by 3% which is feeding the perception that Dublin, with its multiple universities, is sucking the life out of the rest of the country …” (more)
[Dáil written answers, 15 December]
“Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that approximately €1.7 billion has been spent in the university sector and that less than 1% has been delivered to the south east, which accounts for 10% of the student population; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the south east has experienced a pronounced decline in that period; if he is satisfied with the current capital allocations process; his plans going forward to manage the process, ensuring it is delivering fair and equitable direct value equally to the regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)
[Dáil debates, 15 December]
“Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the development of the Munster technological university; his views on the areas in which technological universities will fit in the further and higher education landscape in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)
[Dáil debates, 15 December]
“Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the way in which the new Munster technological university will benefit the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)
[Dáil debates, 15 December]
“The Higher Education Minister says he’s expecting the application to set up a Technological University for the South East in April. Simon Harris says he’s briefed the cabinet on the latest news on the merger between IT Carlow and Waterford IT …” (more)
[Domhnall Doyle, KCLR FM, 14 December]
“Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD has announced the appointment of Professor Maggie Cusack as the first president of the Munster Technological University. Professor Maggie Cusack, currently Dean of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, will be the first president of the Munster Technological University with effect from 1 January 2021 …” (more)
[DFHERIS, 10 December]
“Munster Technological University (MTU), a consortium of both Cork Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology, Tralee has announced its first President. Professor Maggie Cusack will become the university’s inaugural President once MTU is officially established on January 1 next year …” (more)
[Steven Heaney, Irish Examiner, 10 December]
“… Even as I write, the background chorus of nervousness about the future of WIT is gaining ground. Government Oireachtas members, Butler, O’Cathasaigh and Cummins tell us that we must accept the ‘only game in town’ and that WIT and Carlow IT must merge to form the TUSE and get the word ‘university’ over the door in some form in Waterford? Even Sinn Fein’s David Cullinane is at it …” (more)
[Waterford News and Star, 8 December]
“Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a further eligibility criteria sample process review report was prepared by auditors for the Munster Technological University consortium after 28 May 2019 (details supplied); if so, if he will make the report available; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)
[Dáil written answers, 3 December]
“Munster Technological University (MTU) will officially be instated from January 1, 2021 after Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris signed an order to dissolve CIT and IT Tralee on Wednesday. Posting on Twitter Mr Harris said: ‘It’s official! I have just signed the order to dissolve CIT and IT Tralee and establish the new Munster Technological University effective from January 1 2021 …'” (more)
[Roisin Burke, EchoLive, 2 December]
“The €110 million funding breakthrough for the North Quays development delivered some badly needed pre-Christmas cheer for the people of Waterford. Combined with the prospect of a Covid-19 vaccine, it opens up all sorts of possibilities in 2021 at the end of what’s been the ultimate annus horribilis …” (more)
[Richard Finnegan, 26 November]
“The final steps have been taken for the Munster Technological University (MTU) which is to be established on 1 January 2021. The passing of necessary legislation has ensured that the State’s second Technological University can be established with the merging of the Cork Institute of Technology and the Institute of Technology Tralee to establish the Munster Technological University on 1 January …” (more)
[Maeve Lee, EchoLive, 25 November]
“An application for technological university status is expected from GMIT, Sligo and Letterkenny, by the end of the year. Last month, €5.7 million was allocated to the Connacht Ulster Alliance consortium in a bid to assist with the application for the designation …” (more)
[Galway Bay FM, 23 November]
