University status a step closer as AIT and LIT make TU application

A new technological university for the midlands and mid-west is on course for September 2021, following confirmation that the AIT-LIT Consortium has formally submitted its application to government.

The institution is expected to comprise a student population of up to 15,000 and a staff complement of approximately 1,200 people across six campuses in Athlone, Limerick (2), Clonmel, Ennis, and Thurles.

An economic impact study commissioned by the consortium has found that the combined impact of the two institutions on the Irish economy is close to €420 million in economic output, while they support more than 800 jobs in addition to their own staff complement.

The consortium – which formally commenced in October of 2019 – has targeted a date of September 1 next year for the new university to open and is also embarking on a broad consultation process to name the new technological university.

Academic unions in both AIT and LIT have voted overwhelmingly in favour of measures contained in the technological university project plan.

President of AIT Professor Ciaran Ó Catháin said: "This is a transformational development for the midlands, and once it comes to fruition, it will provide significant social and economic benefit to communities across the region and beyond.

"Becoming a TU will broaden access to higher education and create opportunities in areas that have previously been underserved with respect to apprenticeships right through to PhD.

"I am immensely proud of the progress that have been made since the formation of the AIT-LIT Consortium a little over a year ago and of our staff, who have worked together in the spirit of common purpose to share knowledge and expertise.

"This has culminated in us reaching and surpassing the substantive TU metrics set out by government and increasing our research capacity. Our commitment to our technological mission is resolute and will result in a talent pipeline of professionally and technically skilled graduates capable of propelling regional and national growth."

President of LIT Professor Vincent Cunnane added: "We are on a pathway to deliver a unique new technological university that will cross regions and transcend geography. While this will be an institution of scale, it will retain the familiarity of local campuses across two significant regions.

"This enables us to act as a regional development powerhouse into the future, delivering education and research that will benefit students, educators, communities, business and industry in a strategic way. Our approach is based on partnership and consensus, and is indeed underpinned by consultation with staff, students and other stakeholders. The consortium has a strong set of shared values and a shared ethic that provides a firm foundation to deliver on our future strategy."

Professor Tom Collins, AIT-LIT Consortium project facilitator, congratulated the "management, staff and students of both institutes, who in a short time and through all the challenges of the current year, have re-imagined the future of the two institutions around a compelling vision for a new technological university in the Irish midlands and mid-west."

Troy welcomes application for TU status for AIT

Minister of State and TD for Longford Westmeath has welcomed the application to establish a new technological university in the midlands and mid-west from Athlone Institute of Technology and Limerick Institute of Technology.

"This application follows considerable work on behalf of the college over a number of years and is a realisation of long-held ambition – which I have been fully supportive of. The application is a vindication of quality of excellence provided by staff of AIT.

"It is good news for Westmeath and a positive move for the midlands region. A technology university would mean many students from the area would opt to stay locally to study at a university. It would also attract new students to the midlands.

"The TU status uniquely provides higher education programmes across all levels of the National Framework of Qualifications, from apprenticeships to doctoral degrees. It brings with it many opportunities for students, staff, employers, enterprise and for the wider local and regional communities.

"I want to thank the president and staff of AIT for all they have done so far to deliver this application. The leadership and commitment to world class education is to be commended.

"The creation and development of a network of TUs nationally is a strong commitment in the Programme for Government showing our strong desire for regional and balanced growth benefitting communities across the midlands," said Minister Troy.

Another step closer to university status

Minister Peter Burke, Fine Gael TD for Longford Westmeath, has welcomed the announcement from his colleague Minister Simon Harris on the official application from Athlone IT to establish a new technological university in the midlands.

Minister Burke, who has been lobbying his colleague Minister Harris and former Minister Joe McHugh on this issue since his election, said it is another key step in the process to grow and enhance Athlone IT.

The application seeks the dissolution of both Institutes and the subsequent establishment of a new university.

“This is fantastic news for Athlone, for Westmeath and for the midlands. We have seen AIT go from strength to strength, and TU status will mean that we can truly offer world class education in key fields on our doorstep here in Westmeath.

"This will be a huge development for our region, and will mean more and more students and graduates can continue their studies in this locality, without having to travel to Dublin or sacrifice any element of their learning in the process."

Minister Burke said that Minister Simon Harris expects to meet the president of AIT today.

“This key development has been years in the making and is due in no small part to the management of AIT and the committed staff who voted to apply for TU status.

"Management in AIT have been so ambitious over the years, and we have seen this in the offering of courses they now provide in a wide range of subjects and the top quality teaching on display in the college.

"Graduates from AIT are highly sought after from employers all over the country and this new status will strengthen this employability even more.

“Regional balance continues to be a key core principle of this government, and this is reflected in the development of the TU network which will be spread across the country equitably so that every student, no matter where they live, can avail of a top class, globally recognised education.

"This will have a knock on effect for local employment and attracting highly paid jobs to this region to avail of the specialist graduates AIT continues to produce.

“Again, I commend the management, staff and students of AIT and I look forward to this status being in place in the very near future."

Clarke offers her congratulations to AIT-LIT consortium

Deputy Sorca Clarke, Sinn Féin TD for Longford Westmeath today welcomed the announcement that the AIT-LIT consortium has submitted its application to the government to become a techological university.

The institute is expected to comprise a student population of up to 15,000 and a staff complement of 1,200 across six campuses in Athlone, Limerick, Clonmel, Ennis and Thurles.

“I would like to offer my congratulations to the AIT-LIT Consortium and the staff in both Institutes for their hard work since October 2019," said Deputy Clarke.

"Considering the extra challenges this year has brought, to be on course for a September 2021 opening as Ireland’s next technological university is a remarkable achievement.

"I note the consultation process to name the new technological university commences this week and I look forward to discovering the outcome.”