ATU president appeals for ‘spirit of generosity’ in months ahead



An appeal has gone out today for everyone in the north west of Ireland to use, support and promote the new Atlantic Technological University that was officially launched earlier by Higher Education Minister Simon Harris.

An amalgamation of IT Sligo, Letterkenny IT and Galway Mayo IT, it will consist of eight campuses — nine when St. Angela’s College joins — across Donegal, Sligo, Mayo and Galway, encompassing 2,250 staff and over 20,000 students enrolled.

Speaking at today’s launch event, Minister Harris began by acknowledging the more than a decade of work and effort that has resulted in the new university for the west and north west.

But if Minister Harris spoke of a sense of achievement at today’s launch event , the chairperson of the board of governors of the new university, Senior Counsel Maura McNally, emphasised that today is only the beginning.

And she said it is only right that the north west should have such a facility.

Now that the new university is formally established, there is — and will be — much work to be done across the region to ensure it grows and flourishes.

University President Dr. Orla Flynn had this message for all involved.

For former EU Commissioner, Tanaiste and Minister, Sligoman Ray MacSharry, today’s launch of the new university was an emotional occasion.

Mr MacSharry was the first chairman of Sligo Regional Technical College, the predecessor of IT Sligo.

 



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