Wikipedia

South East Technological University

South East Technological University (SETU; Irish: Ollscoil Teicneolaíochta an Oirdheiscirt)[3] is a public technological university located in the South East region of Ireland.[4][5][6][7] It was formed from the amalgamation of two existing institutes of technology in the region – Waterford IT and IT Carlow. Following years of discussions and planning,[8][9][10] its formation was announced in November 2021[11] and was formally established on 1 May 2022.[12] It is the only university in the South East of Ireland.[13]

South East Technological University
Ollscoil Teicneolaíochta an Oirdheiscirt
The logo of South East Technological University consisting of a large U drawn where the arc is drawn by construction lines accompanied by the name the name of the university in both English and Irish
Logo of the university
Other name
SETU
TypePublic technological university
Established1 May 2022; 23 months ago (2022-05-01)[1]
Affiliation
ChairPatrick Prendergast
PresidentVeronica Campbell[2]
Address
Cork Road
,
Waterford
,
Munster
,
X91 HE36
,
Ireland
Colours  Slate grey
Websitewww.setu.ie

Background edit

In 2013 the Irish government signed off on a plan to set up the first technological universities (TU) in Ireland.[14] One of these TUs was to combine Institute of Technology Carlow with Waterford Institute of Technology. Waterford Institute of Technology had opened in 1970 as a Regional Technical College and adopted its present name on 7 May 1997.[15] It first made an unsuccessful application to become a university in 2006, under the Universities Act 1997.[16] Similarly, a third level institute was founded in Carlow in 1970, under the name Regional Technical College Carlow, which adopted its Institute of Technology, Carlow title in the '90s. Although this TU proposal was strongly supported by the southern region's Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy,[17] development was temporarily delayed in 2014.[18]

Timeline edit

IT Carlow had been planning a joint application with Waterford IT for the formation of a Technological University for the South East region since the mid-2010s.[19][20][21] A vision document, "Technological University for the South East" (TUSE) was published in 2015, and a memorandum of understanding was signed in 2017.[22]

In May 2018, a spokesperson for the Higher Education Authority (HEA) expressed a belief that a formal application will be made in Autumn 2018, with an approval expected in spring 2019.[23] At the launch of TU Dublin in July 2018, the Taoiseach expressed regret that this TUSE bid had not progressed sufficiently following the Technological Universities Act 2018.[24][25] The TUSEI bid was due to be submitted in September 2018.[26] In November 2018 Dr. Patricia Mulcahy, President of IT Carlow described the goal for TUSEI as "a leading European technological university recognised for regional connectedness and global impact".[27][28]

Plans were being compiled in February 2019,[29] and were awaiting financial clarification in May 2019.[30] Staff of Carlow IT rejected the proposal in June 2019,[31] and WIT staff rejected it in April 2021.[32] In 2019 the Department of Education and Skills rejected requests to cover budget deficits in WIT.[33][34]

In July 2020, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris appointed Tom Boland, of the HEA to lead the TU merger bid.[35][9][36] A formal application was lodged in May 2021.[37][38][39][10][40] Finally, after an international review, the South East Technological University was established in May 2022.[41]

 
SETU Waterford campus
 
SETU Carlow campus

Campuses edit

SETU is located in five towns in the South East of Ireland. The two largest centres are in Waterford and Carlow. In Waterford it has five sub-campuses while in Carlow it has three.

There are also campuses in Wexford town, Rathnew, County Wicklow and Kilkenny.[42] [43][44]

Research edit

The university has concentrated research activity in certain dedicated areas in both Waterford and Carlow. In Waterford, the centres include:

  • Walton Institute for Information and Communication Systems Science
  • Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre
  • South Eastern Applied Materials Research Centre
  • Centre for Information Systems and Techno-culture
  • Eco-Information Research Centre
  • Nutrition Research Centre Ireland.[45]

In Carlow, there are five Centres of Research Excellence (CORE):

  • Bio-environmental Technology (enviroCORE)
  • Advanced Software and Networks (compuCORE)
  • Design Innovation (designCORE)
  • AdvancING Technology (engCORE)
  • Enhancing Professional Practice (SocialCORE)

and two developing centres of research:

  • Men's health
  • Rehabilitative Sciences.[46]


References edit

  1. ^ Byrne, Padraig (2 November 2021). "Establishment of Technological University of the South East confirmed for May 2022". Wexford People – via Independent.ie.
  2. ^ "Prof Veronica Campbell designated as South East Technological University's first President". South East Technological University. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  3. ^ "South East Technological University is recruiting its first President, a leader with strategic vision". tuse.ie. 11 February 2022.
  4. ^ Donnelly, Katherine (3 July 2018). "Ireland's first tech university gets official backing". Irish Independent. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  5. ^ Marren, Aisling (12 October 2018). "HEA Invests €800,000 in Four Institutes of Technology". The University Times. Trinity College Dublin. Archived from the original on 12 October 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  6. ^ Hassett, Darren (16 October 2018). "Pharma company MSD to create 170 new jobs in Carlow with second manufacturing facility". CarlowLive.ie. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  7. ^ Walsh, Kieran (28 March 2019). "South East Must Pull Together". MunsterExpress.ie. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  8. ^ "Home". TUSE.ie.
  9. ^ a b "Minister Harris announces appointment of person to spearhead new Technological University for the South East". Gov.ie (Press release). Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. 28 July 2020.
  10. ^ a b "Application for TUSE lodged". MunsterExpress.ie. 4 May 2021.
  11. ^ Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science [@SimonHarrisTD] (2 November 2021). "After years of debate and discussion, hard work by so many, today we announce a Technological University for the South East. This is a major moment for access to higher education in the region & transformational for future generations" (Tweet) – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ "A new era for the south east of Ireland". South East Technological University. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  13. ^ Heaney, Steven (2 November 2021). "Merger of Waterford and Carlow ITs into Technological University for South-East confirmed". IrishExaminer.com.
  14. ^ Ahlstrom, Dick (30 March 2013). "Cabinet signs off on plans for three new technological universities". The Irish Times. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  15. ^ Regional Technical Colleges Act 1992 (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 199 of 1997). Signed on 7 May 1997. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 8 March 2021.
  16. ^ Whelan, Noel (22 March 2008). "Waterford and the idea of a university city". The Irish Times. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  17. ^ "'Red flags everywhere': Areas 'crucial' to Waterford's development omitted from strategy". WaterfordLive.ie. 14 March 2019. Archived from the original on 8 May 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  18. ^ Brophy, Daragh (23 October 2014). "The Education Minister gave the head of Waterford IT a "tough" talking-to this morning". The Journal. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  19. ^ "Technological University for the South East". Waterford IT. 31 May 2013. Archived from the original on 20 July 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  20. ^ "South East Technological University moves Closer to Becoming a Reality". Waterford IT. 3 October 2013. Archived from the original on 17 December 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  21. ^ Keyes, Dermot (31 October 2018). ""Ireland's Oldest Brand" renewing itself, says Minister". MunsterExpress.ie. Archived from the original on 4 November 2018.
  22. ^ "Timeline". Technological University for the South East Ireland. 2018. Archived from the original on 20 July 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  23. ^ Aylward, Bobby (TD) (1 June 2018). "Last week at the Public Accounts Committee I asked the Higher Eduation [sic] Authority for an update on the status of a technological university for the South East". Retrieved 20 July 2018 – via facebook.com.
  24. ^ "Announcement by An Taoiseach". Dublin Institute of Technology. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2018 – via facebook.com.
  25. ^ Technological Universities Act 2018 (No. 3 of 2018). Enacted on 19 March 2018. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 18 July 2018.
  26. ^ Kane, Conor (23 July 2018). "Carlow and Waterford ITs to submit joint university bid". IrishExaminer.ie. Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  27. ^ Ganly, Conor (2 November 2018). "Laois praised as Institute of Technology Carlow celebrates 2,700 graduates". LeinsterExpress.ie. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  28. ^ Hassett, Darren (1 November 2018). "Graduation a joyous occasion because campus is 'filled with hope', says IT Carlow president". CarlowLive.ie. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  29. ^ Kelly, Justin (15 February 2019). "Sinn Féin TD says investment needed in IT Carlow for Technological University". CarlowLive.ie. Archived from the original on 17 February 2019.
  30. ^ "IT Carlow updates on the Techological University for the South East application status". 8 May 2019.
  31. ^ Dalton, Eoghan; O'Brien, Carl (21 June 2019). "Plan to create technological university for southeast hits setback". Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  32. ^ Dalton, Eoghan (23 April 2021). "Waterford IT staff reject terms for proposed technological university merger". IrishExaminer.com.
  33. ^ Donnelly, Katherine (9 July 2019). "Another tech university project hit by wrangle over €26m issue". Nature. doi:10.1038/news.2009.394. ISSN 0028-0836. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  34. ^ Hassett, Darren (14 October 2019). "Questions about progress on tech university in South East over €26m debt and payroll costs". WaterfordLive.ie. Archived from the original on 31 May 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  35. ^ "Waterford councillors demand action on Technological University for the South East". WaterfordLive.ie. 6 July 2020.
  36. ^ Curran, Faye (4 August 2020). "Former HEA Chief Tom Boland May Be Just What TUSE Needs to Get Off the Ground". UniversityTimes.ie.
  37. ^ Donnelly, Katherine (28 April 2021). "Technological universities expected to get the green light to build their own student accommodation". Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  38. ^ Doyle, Domhnall (14 December 2020). "Minister says application to set up TUSE expected in April". KCLR96FM.com.
  39. ^ "Minister Harris reaffirms commitment to deliver Technological University for the South East as new regional advisory group meets". Gov.ie (Press release). Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. 28 January 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  40. ^ "TUSEI Joint Governing Body Steering Group Meeting No. 30" (PDF). Technological University for the South East Ireland. 23 April 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 January 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  41. ^ Byrne, Padraig (2 November 2021). "Establishment of Technological University of the South East confirmed for May 2022". Wexford People – via Independent.ie.
  42. ^ "As it happened: Cabinet signs off on development plan". RTÉ News. 4 October 2021.
  43. ^ "CONFIRMED: New university for South East region". TipperaryLive.ie.
  44. ^ "Campuses". South East Technological University. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  45. ^ "Research centres". SETU. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  46. ^ "Research". IT Carlow. Retrieved 12 January 2024.

External links edit

52°14′46″N 7°08′19″W / 52.246063°N 7.138733°W / 52.246063; -7.138733

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