Tipp FM Photo @Tipp FM The Minister for Further and Higher Education says the designation of Limerick and Athlone Institutes of Technology to Technological University Status will be a major boost to Tipperary. The move means Thurles and Clonmel are to become university towns. All students graduating from the facilities from next year will receive university qualifications – however it hasn’t been decided when the two ITs will become a technological university. Minister Simon Harris says the change will be positive for Tipperary on a number of levels. “It’s a really important day for Higher Education but alongside that it’s a really important day for regional development.”