A New University for the West and North-West, a Step Closer
The West and North-West have taken a step closer to establishing a new university for the region.
The Connacht Ulster Alliance (CUA) of GMIT, LYIT and IT Sligo today (Friday 21st May 2021) submitted a formal application to the Minister for Further & Higher Education, Simon Harris TD, for designation as a Technological University (TU).
This is a significant day for all CUA students, staff and stakeholders, and marks the culmination of several years’ work. The proposed TU for the West and North-West will be one of the largest multi-campus universities across the island of Ireland.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD has today (Friday) confirmed he has received an application from the Connacht Ulster Alliance (CUA) comprising the Institute of Technology Sligo, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology and Letterkenny Institute of Technology.
The application is seeking the establishment of a Technological University in Connacht/Ulster in accordance with the prescribed legislative requirements of the Technological Universities Act 2018.
Speaking today, Minister Harris said: This is an important day for the West and North West and for higher education generally with the submission of a fifth application for Technological University designation.
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Previously signed in 2016, this formal MoU builds upon a long history of collaboration and an
established partnership between the two institutions.
The resigning of the Memorandum of Understanding by Paul Hannigan, President LYIT and Anne McHugh, Chief Executive Donegal ETB, will greatly benefit the North West region with both organisations continuing to build on collaborations.
The overall objective is to provide for enhanced progression opportunities and pathways for learners consistent with the National Further Education and Training Strategy, 2020-2024.
New progression routes and pathways have been developed over the past 5 years that provide opportunities for those living and working in the region and facilitates more seamless progression routes between programmes provided by Donegal ETB and LYIT and has identified gaps in provision and opportunities for new programmes linked to recognised national and regional skills needs.
Over 350 Transition Year students have signed up for a new tourism and hospitality skills training programme in Donegal.
The programme was drawn up by Fáilte Ireland and the Irish Hotels Federation, in partnership with Letterkenny Institute of Technology. The pilot project is intended to train local transition year students for part-time roles ahead of the summer season.
Joan Crawford of Fáilte Ireland says a labour supply has been identified as a challenge for the tourism and hospitality industry by the Donegal Destination Recovery Task Force.