Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris has confirmed a major new investment in the Atlantic Technological University Galway campus.
This investment will provide for the addition of a living laboratory encompassing cross-disciplinary facilities focussed on sustainability and a digital technology suite, including classrooms to vastly increase the capacity to design and deliver online/blended learning.
The project, announced on Monday, is part of the Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund (TSSPF).
The Minister made the announcement while visiting ATU’s Galway Campus which will be the location of the project.
Speaking in Galway, Minister Harris said, “We are investing tens of millions of euros across the country to ensure each learner benefits from the highest quality of education.”
“The funding will allow ATU Galway to enhance the digitalisation capability, especially in relation to more flexible offerings such as micro-credentials, serving the needs of a dispersed learner population in the region they serve.”
“ATU is transforming education for its region. It is expanding its presence, growing its student numbers and making a significant impact here and abroad.”
“This project ensures it continues to be a driver of regional and national development,” Simon Harris said.
President of ATU Dr. Orla Flynn welcomed the announcement saying, “We are delighted to hear that we can progress to the next stage of our proposed new Future Living Lab.
“This cross-disciplinary new facility will build on global themes of sustainability and digitalisation. It will also address significant space constraints on our Galway City campus, in relation to space and quality of infrastructure for teaching and learning.
“We are extremely grateful to the Minister, to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and the Higher Education Authority, for their support in bringing this project to fruition.
“My thanks also to everyone across ATU who work collegially on this project, and we look forward to work commencing as soon as possible.”
