The Connaught Ulster Alliance has called for the establishment of a new technical university in the west and northwest.

Next year Ireland may have another tech university that will be of crucial importance in the western and northwestern parts of the country.

An application for technical university status has been submitted by the Connach Ulster Alliance, which includes the Sligo Institute of Technology, the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology and the Letterkenny Institute of Technology.

The proposed technical university will bring together about 20,000 students across eight campuses in Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Lightrim and Donegal.

“The establishment of this new University of Technology is crucial for the future development of the region,” said Drs. Orla Flynn, Paul Hanigan, Drs.

« [It will offer] Academic depth to attract, teach, nurture and retain talent in the West, North-West and border areas. “

Martin Cronin, chairman of the Alliance Steering Group, added that a strong tech university would “enhance the sector’s ability to thrive in a growing technology-intensive world.”

“Institutions of Radical Change”

Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Minister Simon Harris TD confirmed that he had received an application from the Alliance Group.

He described it as an “important day” for higher education in western and northwestern Ireland in general.

He added that such a technical university has the potential to stimulate higher education and regional growth in the western and northwestern regions with strong cross-border ties.

The Minister will now appoint an Advisory Committee to assist in reviewing the request. If the application is accepted, it is likely that the three institutes of technology will be dissolved and a new technical university will be established in early 2022. It will allow students graduating from the 2021-2022 academic year to pursue a university degree.

“Unions are revolutionary institutions of higher learning,” Harris added. “They anchor in their areas and stay in touch with local businesses, businesses and community actors.”

This is the fifth application for the status of a Technical University in Ireland since the criteria were defined in 2018.

The first Technical University in Ireland was announced in 2018 and launched next year, with the Dublin Institute of Technology, IT Tag and IT Blanchardstown for TU Dublin.

The Cork Institute of Technology and the Institute of Technology Trolley jointly inaugurated the Technological University of Munster in early 2021.

Earlier this month, the Athlon Institute of Technology and the Limerick Institute of Technology were given the green light to establish a university of technology in the Middle East. Presented by Carlo to the Waterford Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology.