Major announcement believed to be imminent on NW technological university



A major announcement is expected in the coming days on the formation of a new technological university for the north west.

Ocean FM News understands a formal announcement may be made as early as tomorrow.

The application from the Connacht Ulster Alliance for a new technological university has been with Higher Education Minister Simon Harris since last May.

The new university, which is expected to be in operation by January, will comprise the IT Sligo, Galway Mayo IT and Letterkenny IT.

After receiving the application, Minister Harris was required to appoint an advisory panel, including international experts, to assess the application.

Agreement was also reached between St Angela’s College in Clogherevagh, IT Sligo and the Ursuline Union for the merger of the two Sligo-based colleges, with the ultimate objective of St Angela’s being part of the new university.

Ocean FM News understands an announcement is imminent that the new technology university is about to become a reality, and possibly in operation by January.

It will bring together almost 600 academic programmes for 20,000 students across eight campuses.

In addition to undergraduate and postgraduate courses, it will also offer upskilling and employee education, as well as supporting enterprises, especially SMEs.

The development would also be one of the most significant in generations for the north west, creating an opportunity for long-sought balance in regional growth across the north west and border areas.



Related