Published on: Saturday, 04 February 2012

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENTS AND CHAIRS OF THE GOVERNING BODIES OF CORK INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY TRALEE AND LIMERICK INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH THE MUNSTER TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Munster is synonymous with excellence and success, nationally and internationally.

Three Institutes of Technology in the region are coming together to create the Munster Technological University (MTU), a new university which will draw on, and enhance, this reputation by providing world class education and research, and supporting the development of enterprise across the region.

The proposal by Cork Institute of Technology (CIT), Institute of Technology Tralee (IT Tralee) and Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) to establish the Munster Technological University will form the largest higher education institution in the region with campuses in Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Clare and Tipperary and an initial enrolment of over 24,000 students.

Since the publication of the Hunt Report (National Strategy for Higher Education) in January 2011, the Institutes of Technology in Kerry, Limerick and Cork have been working together towards the establishment of the MTU. The Institutes have developed the model for the new University in consultation with international experts who have experience in establishing and managing multi-campus universities.

The MTU will build on the strengths of LIT, IT Tralee and CIT to create a large, effective and innovative University with the scale and level of activity which will allow it to make a significant contribution regionally, nationally and internationally.

We are confident that the MTU will meet the criteria for Technological University status and, once the process for application is determined, we intend to seek designation at the earliest opportunity.

Building on the existing expertise and excellence of CIT, IT Tralee and LIT, the MTU will continue to have provision at all levels up to and including PhD (NFQ levels 6-10) and across a broad range of disciplines including business, humanities, health sciences, visual and performing arts, science and engineering. The MTU will enhance the opportunities of our current and future students and our graduates.

At the heart of the Munster Technological University mission will be the relationship with enterprise and the extension of the University campus across the region and into the community. The University’s distributed presence across the region will reinforce its ability to work in partnership with local businesses, industry and the professions. It will also enable the provision of education programmes and applied research to be focused at the point of need. The MTU will be at the centre of a cluster of relationships involving universities, further education colleges and regional agencies and organisations, designed to maximise its ability to deliver on its mission.

The new University will be able to make a major contribution nationally and its activities will assist in economic growth, innovation and job creation. The creation of this University will help to reinforce Ireland’s attractiveness and suitability as a location for establishing enterprises indigenous and multinational, large and small, across a range of sectors. The MTU will also have a significant international profile and will build productive international partnerships with institutions across the globe. These international links will provide significant economic, social and cultural benefits to the region and the country as a whole.