Munster Technological University
Plans for a new Munster Technological University have been given the go-ahead.
The decision by the government will grant TU status to the consortium made up of Cork IT and IT Tralee.
A momentous day for @CIT_ie and @ittralee as #MTU officially announced today. Looking forward to January 2021. #MTUBetterTogetherhttps://t.co/fKjOHTuXcO pic.twitter.com/2AvKj6jCgA
— MTU (@MTU_ie) May 26, 2020
Munster Technological University will cater to students, from apprenticeship level right up to post-doctoral level.
Following approval by both Houses of the Oireachtas students graduating in the 2020 - 2021 academic year will do so with university qualifications.
Congratulations to all our colleagues at the new Munster Technological University. All of us at @UCC look forward to continued partnership as we work together to reboot and renew our economy @MTU_ie @CIT_ie @ittralee pic.twitter.com/SCWWFFKPFD
— Pádraig Ó Sé 🇪🇺 (@osheaucc) May 26, 2020
An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD said:
“This is an important day for higher education in Ireland and for the South West."
"The Government has a very clear ambition to expand and consolidate higher education facilities, to boost economic development across the country and to attract research funding."
"Technological Universities are central to delivering on this."
"The establishment of the Munster Technological University will stimulate a more balanced growth of population and employment across Ireland."
"It will make it easier to secure foreign direct investment and provide quality jobs in the region."
"This new TU in Munster will be a driver of regional development, and it will help to make higher education more accessible."
"Above all else it will provide more opportunities for individuals, enterprise and the community."
"I want to thank both Institutes, their staff, students and management."
"I congratulate in particular Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor who has been driving this change.”