Press Statement Monday 23rd November 2020
From: Kieran O’Donnell TD
O’Donnell welcomes joint application for Technology University status from LIT and Athlone Institute of Technology
- Major step forward by LIT towards the establishment of new Technology University for Limerick, Tipperary, Clare and Region
Limerick City Fine Gael TD Kieran O’Donnell has greatly welcomed the joint application to establish a new technological university(TU) in Limerick/Mid-West and Midlands from Limerick Institute of Technology and Athlone Institute of Technology.
The application is being made under the 2018 Act, where two or more Institutes of Technology may apply to the Minister for Higher Education for the making of an order granting TU status subject to their jointly meeting prescribed eligibility criteria and approval of the houses of the Oireachtas. In practice, this involves the dissolution of both Institutes and the subsequent establishment of a new Technology university. LIT and Athlone IT together have a student population of almost 14,000 and some 1,300 staff.
LIT and Athlone Institute of Technology consortium have been allocated €7 million to date in Exchequer funding under a Transformation fund provided to assist the creation and development of these new types of technologies universities.
“I greatly welcome this joint formal application to the Minister for Higher Education, Simon Harris TD by LIT and Athlone IT to establish a new Technology University. This is a major initiative and step forward by LIT towards the establishment of a new Technology for Limerick, Tipperary, Clare and the region. I wish to commend LIT President Vincent Cunnane and all his staff for their hard work in progressing this Technology University application.
“LIT has been highly successful in linking with business and industry locally and nationally to provide highly educated graduates, from apprenticeships to doctorates, with the necessary cutting edge shills to meet the demands of a constantly changing world. This new Technology University application will further enhance this significant contribution LIT is already making to third level education for students and indeed will be of enormous benefit to Limerick, Tipperary, Clare and the region overall.
“I look forward to continuing to work with LIT to progress this TU application as quickly as possible.
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