Limerick IT and Athlone IT are becoming a Technological University.
Students graduating from 2022 onwards will do so with a University qualification.
It'll be the third TU in the state, following TU Dublin in 2019 and Munster TU this year.
A new Technological University for the midlands and mid-west
➡️increases higher education access
➡️drives enhanced regional development
➡️builds opportunities for students, staff, enterprise & local communities.
🙌A lot of hard work by @AIT__LIT @AthloneIT @LimerickIT @hea_irl pic.twitter.com/lSbFGAGJ79— Department of Further and Higher Education (@DeptofFHed) May 5, 2021
Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris says:
"I would like to warmly congratulate and sincerely thank the very many people from the two Institutions."
"Including their management, governing bodies, staff, students and the wider regional and community."
"Stakeholders who have enabled today’s announcement and who can now look forward to an exciting future for this new university and the regions it will serve."
Minister of State for Further Education Niall Collins says it gives Limerick and Athlone IT additional options:
"In terms of raising funds from foreign students."
"Also it will be allowed borrow it's own funds to build and provide student accommodation."
