The formation of the Connacht Ulster Alliance – a merging of GMIT, Letterkenny IT and IT Sligo – has taken a step forward.
Minister Simon Harris confirmed to Senator for Roscommon-Galway Aisling Dolan today that the Alliance is hoping to have their application for its formation submitted in March.
Minister Harris will then appoint an advisory panel in relation to the establishment of the alliance and a report will be submitted to the Higher Education Authority.
“The expansion of TU’s will be a game-changer as it will create dynamic campuses focused on research and innovation which will drive investment to our region,” said Senator Aisling Dolan this afternoon.
“I am delighted to hear that the international independent review of the Technological University with Athlone IT and Limerick IT has recently been completed and this report will be due at the end of March.”
She said that the Connacht Ulster Alliance are due to submit their application at the end of March and this will cover five campuses including GMIT in Galway city and Mountbellew Agricultural College.
“I welcome the Minister’s commitment to a cohesive single research strategy and key agency objectives to support the Higher Educations Institutes and Technological Universities,” added Senator Dolan.
