Atlantic Technological University – a significant milestone in the structural transformation of higher education in the State.

Posted: 4 April, 2022

Left to right – Dr Deirdre Garvey ATU, Dr Alan Wall CEO HEA, Justin Kerr ATU and Michael Gill ATU.

The establishment of the Atlantic Technological University is a significant milestone in the structural transformation of higher education in the State – merging three former Institutes of Technology into one Technological University.

This is according to the CEO of the Higher Education Authority, Dr Alan Wall, who visited the Mayo campus of the new Technological University in Castlebar this afternoon (Monday, April 4).

Atlantic Technological University is the fourth Technological University (TU) in the State and is a merger of the Galway-Mayo, Letterkenny and Sligo Institutes of Technology.

The new TU is a multi-campus institution with a presence in eight locations across the region, including Castlebar, Galway City, Killybegs, Letterfrack, Letterkenny, Mountbellew and Sligo.

During his visit to the Castlebar campus, Dr Wall congratulated all those involved in the enormous achievement and wished the staff and students of ATU all the best for the future.

“The establishment of the Atlantic Technological University represents a significant milestone in the structural transformation of higher education in the State and will bring a host of social and economic benefits to the West and the North-West regions,” Dr Wall said.

A report last week by the Northern and Western Regional Assembly said the new TU in the North-West will contribute €700m in economic output and support 3,100 jobs per year.

Technological Universities are expected to play a pivotal role in facilitating broader access and progression through higher education and to advance innovative, industry-focused research. ATU will be an anchor in the region, responsive to local needs and opportunities, while further developing and strengthening linkages and partnerships internationally.

ATU will offer almost 600 academic programmes from pre-degree to doctoral level to a student population of 20,000 students, supported by over 2,200 staff. The gender balance at the new TU is almost 50:50 among academic staff.

Dr Orla Flynn has commenced the role of the inaugural President of ATU, while Maura McNally, SC, is the appointed chair of its first Governing Body.

The establishment of South East Technological University (SETU) on May 1 will bring together Institute of Technology Carlow and Waterford Institute of Technology and create the fifth TU in the State.