The Higher Education Minister's urging students and staff to volunteer for a rapid antigen testing programme.
His Department is rolling it out across college campuses nationwide.
It includes Trinity, UCC, NUI Galway and UCD.
While it will also include saliva-based PCR testing and wastewater surveillance.
The Higher Education Minister Simon Harris says over 8,000 people will participate in the study.
He hopes this will give additional resources in the fight against COVID-19.
"This pilot project will help us learn more about different types of tests.
"How effective they are and if they can or should be used in higher education settings."
“None of these replace the public health advice."
"But they could be additional weapons in our fight against COVID-19."
"Over 8,000 will participate in the study."
"It is of course optional but I really would encourage staff and students to participate."
Minister @SimonHarrisTD is urging students and staff at four universities to sign up for Covid testing systems. Project UniCoV will carry out large scale analysis of testing technologies at NUI Galway, Trinity, UCD and UCC. Visit https://t.co/QkuEXGRCX5 https://t.co/OsphmjEMDz pic.twitter.com/ifg01tcMbB
— Department of Further and Higher Education (@DeptofFHed) July 12, 2021
Professor "Very Happy" To Teach In This Environment
Meanwhile, Trinity Professor Kingston Mills says he’s confident this will be effective.
"The combination of vaccinating everybody and rapid testing."
"That would be a very effective way to resume safe teaching in the autumn."
So he says he'd be "very happy" to teach a class where everyone's had their jab.
"Or if those who aren't vaccinated had a twice-weekly rapid test," he says.
