Oireachtas Members Urged to Support Connacht-Ulster Technological University Ambitions

Author: Press Office

Date Article Written: Friday, 21 September 2012

Almost 30 Oireachtas members from Connacht and Ulster attended a briefing held by the Connacht-Ulster Alliance in Dublin this week (Wednesday 19 September) about its ambitions to achieve designation as a Technological University.

The Connacht-Ulster Alliance - which is made up of Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), Letterkenny IT and IT Sligo - was officially launched by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny in July.

Briefing for Oireachtas members on Connacht-Ulster Alliance Pictured at a recent briefing for TDs and Senators in the Connacht Ulster region, hosted by GMIT, IT Sligo and Letterkenny IT, L to R: Michael Carmody, President of GMIT; Noel Grealish TD Galway West; Des Mahon, Chairman of GMIT; Michael Comiskehy TD, Leitrim; Dara Calleary TD, Mayo; and Frank Feehan TD, Roscommon.

Achieving re-designation as a Technological University will ensure that the region maintains a high standard of education provision within a soon-to-be restructured national higher education landscape. It will also provide stimulus for economic and social growth, the TDs and Senators were told at the briefing.

L to R: Eamon O’Cuiv TD, Galway West; Des Mahon, Chairman of GMIT; Michael Carmody, President of GMIT; Senator Fidelma Healy-Eames, Galway.

A decision will soon be taken by the Higher Education Authority and Government about which Institutes of Technology can go forward to work towards Technological University re-designation. Provision for the establishment of a small number of Technological Universities is provided in the Government's National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030.

L to R: Michael Carmody, President of GMIT; Noel Grealish TD, Galway West; Des Mahon, Chairman of GMIT.