Ninth Level Ireland

“The President of Waterford IT says the Technological University for the South East has to happen within the next six to 12 months. The application from WIT and IT Carlow still hasn’t been submitted after a memorandum of understanding between both IT’s was rejected by the unions in Carlow …” (more)

[Eimear McKeown, WLR FM, 10 October]

“Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) has been ordered to review the way it responds to staff who complain about sexual harassment. The Labour Court issued the instruction when it awarded €10,000 compensation to a lecturer who was subjected to sexual harassment by male agricultural science students …” (more)

[Waterford Today, 3 October]

“A planning application has been submitted for a new multi-million euro building for Waterford Institute of Technology’s main campus. The proposed 12,800m² Engineering, Computing and General Teaching building is the largest of one of 11 state-of-the-art projects announced in 2017 as part of a Project Ireland 2040 investment in institutes of technology …” (more)

[Sinead Aherne, WLR FM, 1 October]

“A female college lecturer who was told male students ‘would do her’ in one of a number of incidents of sexual harassment has been awarded €10,000 …” (more)

[Gordon Deegan, Irish Times, 26 September]
[The judgment is here]

“A female college lecturer who was told how male students ‘would do her’ in one of a number of incidents of sexual harassment has been awarded €10,000. In the case, the Labour Court has ordered Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) to pay the €10,000 compensation …” (more)

[Gordon Deegan, Irish Examiner, 26 September]

“WIT lecturer Dr Ray Griffin talks to Julie Smyth about the upcoming budget, what Paschal Donoghue can do to boost the South East’s economy and why, as an academic working in the region he is frustrated with the Taoiseach’s reported ‘frustration’ regarding the formation of a Technological University for the South East …” (interview)

[Spreaker, 15 September]

“A planning application has been submitted to Waterford City and County Council for a new building for Waterford Institute of Technology’s (WIT) main campus on the Cork Road in Waterford. The proposed 12,800 square metre engineering, computing and general teaching building is the largest of one of 11 state-of-the-art projects announced in 2017 as part of a Project Ireland 2040 investment in institutes of technology …” (more)

[Waterford Live, 13 September]

“Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has spoken of his frustration with the protracted progress of the Waterford IT/IT Carlow submission to create a Technological University of the South East (TUSE) …” (more)

[Dermot Keyes, Waterford News and Star, 12 September]

“Waterford Institute of Technology paid out almost €400,000 – more than a third of which went on travel – without going through proper procurement, new accounts show. In 2017, three areas of expenditure totalling €397,708 were identified by WIT that did not comply with public procurement guidelines, according to the institute’s most recently filed financial statement …” (more)

[Jess Casey, Irish Examiner, 10 September]

“Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says he is very frustrated at the lack of progress in the establishment of a Technological University in Waterford. The application for the TU South East from WIT and IT Carlow has still not been submitted after a memorandum of understanding between both IT’s was rejected by the unions in Carlow …” (more)

[Sinead Aherne, WLR FM, 9 September]

“It’s been another difficult week for Waterford. The Government announced over €100m worth of funding for five colleges, IT Sligo, Maynooth University, University College Cork, NUI Galway and University College Dublin, as part of its 2040 strategy, but once again, WIT is left out in the cold …” (more)

[Darren Skelton, Waterford News and Star, 3 September]

“It seems talks to try and resolve problems around the Technological University for the South East are on hold. At the end of June TUI members in IT Carlow voted against an agreement that had been reached at the Workplace Relations Commission. It’s expected talks will resume in September after progress came to a standstill over a month ago …” (more)

[KCLR 96FM, 5 August]

“The Taoiseach says he’s confident the Technological University for the South East can be achieved within the next year. The application from WIT and IT Carlow still has not been submitted. It hit another delay last month when a memorandum of understanding agreed between management at both IT’s and the Teachers Union of Ireland was rejected by union members in Carlow …” (more)

[Sinead Aherne, WLR FM, 18 July]

“A second technological university project has been hit by a wrangle over who picks up the tab for outstanding deficits, debt and certain other costs when colleges merge to form a new entity. The proposed Technological University of the South East (TUSE) involves a merger of the Institute of Technology Carlow (IT Carlow) and Waterford Institute of Technology (Waterford IT) …” (more)

[Katherine Donnelly, Independent, 9 July]

“Plans to create a technological university for the southeast have hit a new setback. While Waterford Institute of Technology and IT Carlow are preparing a joint bid to merge and become a technological university, staff at Carlow voted down the latest step in this process …” (more)

[Eoghan Dalton and Carl O’Brien, Irish Times, 21 June]

“A blip on the journey to creating a technological university for the South. That’s how the President of WIT has described the rejection by TUI members in IT Carlow of proposals to progress the process. The WIT branch endorsed the proposed Memorandum of Understanding by 92.7% but the IT Carlow Branch rejected it by 60% …” (more)

[Liz Reddy, WLR FM, 21 June]

“Sinn Féin TD for Waterford David Cullinane has commended staff at WIT for their overwhelming support to move the Technological University of the South East a step closer. He said the extensive engagement between staff and management at the institute was constructive and has delivered a very strong outcome …” (more)

[Sinn Féin, 21 June]

“The Technological University for the South East is now a step closer. A memorandum of understanding has been agreed between IT Carlow, WIT and the Teachers Union of Ireland. The deal agreed at the Workplace Relations Commission will now be put to a staff ballot next week …” (more)

[Liz Reddy, WLR FM, 13 June]

“All colleges and universities are to be questioned over their links to spin-off companies involving members of staff amid concerns over financial issues surrounding some firms. The Dáil’s public accounts committee has agreed to take the step after discussions between it, Cork Institute of Technology, the University of Limerick and Waterford Institute of Technology …” (more)

[BreakingNews.ie, 30 May]

“James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the establishment of a technological university for the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil written answers, 14 May]