1. Towards a Future Higher Education Landscape
2. Process and Criteria for Designation as a Technological University
3. Guidelines on Regional Clusters

The roadmap provided by these papers now gives higher education institutions an unprecedented opportunity to review their mission and present their strategic intentions to the HEA within 6 months. 

 ‘It is well established that the overall strategic intent of the two Institutes of Technology in the South East at Carlow and Waterford is to partner with each other to create a multi-campus Technological University for the South-East. Both institutes have consistently supported the creation of a new type of entrepreneurial Technological University for the region based on the overwhelming evidence to support the case’ says Mr. John Moore, Chairman of the Governing Body of Institute of Technology Carlow (ITC) “ITC looks forward to the exciting work with WIT leading to the establishment of the Technological University of the South East to serve and enhance the region, its industry and community.”

‘Both Institutes of Technology in the South East at Waterford and Carlow when seeking a multi campus Technological University for the region will present a strong case to the HEA outlining their complementary missions, their strong national and international alliances, their distinctive research activities, their unrivaled commitment to lifelong learning and their proven agility and responsiveness to business and community needs’ says Dr Donal Ormonde, Chairman of the Governing Body of Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) ‘The creation of a University for the South East will be an important driver of sustainable economic development and WIT look forward to a productive partnership with ITC in this process’

The two South East Institutes of Technology welcome publication of the process and criteria for designation of Technological Universities and look forward to demonstrating their collective capacity and performance in meeting the criteria as part of the designation process.  Both institutions have been engaged in high level discussions geared towards implementing the Programme for Government commitment to exploring the establishment of a Technological University in the South East which is clearly differentiated from existing Irish Universities.  In relation to future steps in the process the institutes look forward to the drafting and early preparation of the appropriate legislation which will enable the establishment of a Technological University and implementation of the criteria and associated process.

The two South East Institutes of Technology have established a strategic planning group to lead and co-ordinate activities associated with the establishment of a new multi-campus Technological University.  The group comprises the Chairpersons of Governing Bodies, Presidents of institutions, as well as Professor John Davies (Professor Emeritus of Anglia Ruskin University), Mr Michael McGrath (former CEO of the Irish Universities Association) and Professor Patrick Fottrell (President Emeritus, NUIG) who Chairs the group.

“The three lectures were very well attended and included a follow-up opportunity for questions-answers with the speakers and offered a valuable real-world adjunct to college education,” said Joseph Collins, Head of Department of Humanities, IT Carlow.

PJ Rudden, President of Engineers Ireland recently visited IT Carlow’s Engineering Department.  PJ wrote about his visit in his blog at http://apresidentsblogbypjrudden.blogspot.com/2012/02/civic-welcome-to-carlow.html

In his blog, PJ Rudden writes "We then proceeded to Carlow IT to be greeted by the Head of Engineering David Denieffe who conducted a tour of the school assisted by Edwin Landzaad Head of Built Environment Department and Eugene Carbery Head of Electronic, Mechanical and Aerospace Department which included a visit to the Aeronautical Research Centre. The Student Centre also houses an extremely impressive range of sporting and leisure facilities for students. Carlow IT is hoping to join with Waterford IT to form a South East Technological University. It was the first IT in Ireland to get accreditation of its Engineering course from Engineers Ireland."

Photo:  In the Aerospace Department of IT Carlow, David Denieffe Head of Engineering IT Carlow, Roddy McNamee Lecturer in Aviation, John Carley Director of Carlow County Council, PJ Rudden President of Engineers Ireland and Damien Owens Registrar Engineers Ireland.

The aim of the competition is to provide an environment where undergraduate students can collaborate and work together to enhance, develop and embed their knowledge and understanding of health and safety in construction.  The challenge involved the selection, procurement and installation of a complete MRI Modular Unit, and all associated site preparatory and interface works within an existing hospital. The project also included the design and specification of any necessary internal reconfiguration works required to be carried out to the hospital. Central to the brief was to minimise all risks to the safety and health of patients, staff, and construction workers arising from the installation works.

Chairperson of the Authority’s Third Level Education Group, Dr. Anne Drummond, said, “This competition goes beyond the boundaries of the classroom  and brings together students who may not yet have interacted at an undergraduate level and yet, will work together as professionals. The approach to the competition is based on problem-based learning which resembles professional life far more than many more traditional methods of assessment.    The feedback from students and their lecturers is that the engagement of working together with their colleagues on the competition is a rewarding and enjoyable part of their learning experience.”

Joanne Harmon, Education Manager with the Health and Safety Authority said, “This competition is in its third year and it’s great to see the level of engagement from students and their lecturers as well as the continual high standards and creativity on display.  I would like to congratulate the winning team, IT Carlow and other finalists and thank everyone else who took part.  We kept the brief as real as possible so that students had to be creative in their solutions but are also as likely to come across similar scenarios in their future working life.”

“Health & Safety has long been an important element of our Built Environment courses at IT Carlow.  The staff and students of the Department of the Built Environment are exceedingly proud of this outstanding achievement by the three IT Carlow teams who have excelled at this high level in competition with other renowned third level institutions.  Congratulations to our students, Rosslare man Noel Conalty, Carlow man Henry Hickey and Kildare man Robert Downey for achieving first place in the competition” commented Martin O’Neill, Built Environment Lecturer, IT Carlow.

From Carlow, Dr Mulcahy attended Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal and Presentation College in the town before studying Science at IT Carlow and attaining her Degree and PhD in Biochemistry at NUI Galway.  Following research positions with BioResearch Ireland at NUI Galway and Dublin City University, Dr Mulcahy returned to IT Carlow, first as a lecturer in biotechnology, and then subsequently as Head of Department and Head of Development.  She maintains a strong presence in the field of bioscience research and has been widely published.

Dr Mulcahy’s appointment comes as IT Carlow enters a pivotal and formative stage in its development.  In addition to an on-going capital development programme, which will add a new Research and Development Centre to the campus in 2012, the Institute is currently ramping up its academic provision, applied research activities and enterprise supports, as well as positioning itself as a substantial player in the ongoing negotiations for a multi-campus Technological University of the South East in line with the Programme for Government.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr John Moore, Chairman of the Governing Body of IT Carlow said “The Governing Body is delighted to confirm that it has ratified the appointment of Dr Patricia Mulcahy to the role of President of the Institute.  We are sure all staff and students will join us in welcoming her to the role. The President’s office will, over the next year, oversee decisive progress towards the establishment of a multi-campus Technological University of the South East.  The Governing Body commit to working hard to support the President in every way as she takes the reins of this exciting project”.

Dr Mulcahy adds “IT Carlow has increased its provision and reputation year on year since its establishment. At the heart of our success is our focus on academic achievement within the strong and supportive environment provided by our dedicated and welcoming staff.  This will remain a priority as we progress our plans for the establishment of a multi-campus Technological University of the South East incorporating the Institutes of Technology in the South East Region.  This new type of University will further emphasise the practical and applied approach to education and research that has been the cornerstone of the Institute of Technology Sector to-date, while also building on additional important elements that will enhance the flexibility and employability of graduates both nationally and internationally.  The new type of Technological University envisaged will also be designed to considerably enhance its supports for indigenous enterprises, the creation of new high-potential start-up companies and the attractiveness of the region for future foreign direct investment.  I thank the Governing Body of IT Carlow for my appointment and look forward to the possibilities and challenges ahead.”

The appointment comes as the Higher Education Authority of Ireland prepares to publish the criteria for Technological University designation.  Once the criteria are published, the South East Institutes of Technology will then proceed with their plans to increase their collective capacity and performance in line with the published criteria.  Ultimately, their joint application for multi-campus Technological University status will be subject to independent expert review.  “We do not underestimate the work and challenges ahead as we progress towards this goal,” says Dr Mulcahy, “the opportunity to learn and further develop from national and international expert feedback through robust peer review processes is welcomed by us as we embark on this path.”

Photo:  Dr Patricia Mulcahy (President of IT Carlow) and Mr John Moore (Chairman of the Governing Body of IT Carlow) at the recent opening of the new Barrow Student Services Centre at IT Carlow

For the first time, all the vital student services are now located in one easy-to-find, one stop shop.  Facilities include the health centre with dedicated staff nurse, meditation room and Chaplain, access service, accommodation officer, careers service and counselling service, as well as all Student Services staff and the Student Union, with extended recreation space. 

Photo: L-R Antony Friel, Aindreas Doyle, Mr Phil Hogan TD, Minister for Enviorment, Community and Local Goverment, Kate Acheson, George Beattie & Gary Flannery at the Institute of Technology Carlow's Official Opening of new Student Services Building