SETU Governing Body hosts HEA Leadership for discussions on university development

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) leadership joined the South East Technological University SETU Governing Body for a comprehensive discussion on the University’s development to meet the evolving needs of the South East region.

Representing the HEA were Dr Alan Wall, Chief Executive; Orla Nugent, Deputy CEO, Systems Funding, Capital Programmes and Systems Governance; and Pearl Cunningham, Head of Finance. Dr Wall spoke of role of the HEA and the importance of the performance agreement recently signed with SETU, with contributions from his colleagues on other critical topics.

Key discussion points raised by the Governing Body members included:

• Senior Vice President posts: Senior Vice President posts were applied for in April 2024 and the letter of sanction to proceed to appointment was just received this week. These posts are crucial to the next phase of SETU’s development.
• The Technological University Sector Strategy Project Fund: Progress in capital funding for the development of the Waterford and Wexford sites was discussed.
• Student accommodation: SETU Students’ Union President highlighted the pressing need to develop student residences. While the Governing Body noted that student accommodation falls under the remit of the Department and not the HEA, the matter remains a priority.
• Veterinary and Pharmacy Programmes: The endorsement of SETU’s proposals for these programmes was recognised as a transformative step for the South East region.
• Research and Academic Career Grades: Professor Marie-Christine Ho Ba Tho emphasised the role of research as an essential function of the university. She stressed that SETU’s potential in research needs to be incentivised by the career paths available (professorial grades).

In concluding the Chairperson of SETU Governing Body Professor Patrick Prendergast thanked the HEA for their engagement and openness to the views of the Governing Body.

Prof. Prendergast highlighted the importance of the Strategic Plan CONNECTING FOR IMPACT, and welcomed the collaborative relationship with the HEA in striving to achieve common goals for students and the social and economic development of the South East overall.