3 minute read
Minister Simon Harris Launches ATU
from ATU Magazine
by ATU Sligo
Minister Simon Harris Launches Atlantic TU
On April 4 2022, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, launched the new Atlantic Technological University (Ollscoil Teichneolaíochta an Atlantaigh.)
At midnight on March 31, we said goodbye to GMIT, IT Sligo and LYIT and hello to Atlantic TU. The excitement was palpable across the west and north-west region. Staff and students gathered on April 1 on all eight campuses as the Chair of our new governing body, Maura McNally, SC, and our new President, Dr Orla Flynn spoke to us for the first time.
On Monday, April 4 we welcomed guests from all walks of life into our campuses to celebrate our new technological university and to witness Minister Simon Harris launch Atlantic TU.
The launch was anchored in the Knocknarea Arena on the Sligo campus of ATU, with live virtual contributions from campuses in Donegal, Mayo and Galway.
Minister Harris called the launch a landmark day and said that ATU would become a ‘powerhouse’ in the region and would play a pivotal role in the strategic regional development of the west and north-west.
The formation of Atlantic TU creates university campuses in counties Donegal, Sligo, and Mayo for the first time while giving Galway city a second university option. It also offers students in surrounding counties the option of a university education.”
He said: “The establishment of Atlantic Technological University, the fourth TU in the State, is a significant occasion for higher education in Ireland and in particular for the west and north-west regions. I know today is a day of mixed emotions as we dissolve GMIT, IT Sligo and Letterkenny IT but it should be a day of immense pride too to the management, governing authorities and staff of the three institutions.”
He added: “Both Orla Flynn as President of the new TU, and Maura McNally as Chair of the Governing Body bring exceptional experience to the roles. I know they will work together to deliver real change and reform.”
ATU President Dr Orla Flynn said: “Today is the beginning of an exciting journey for our entire Atlantic TU community, and I am looking forward to the challenge of bringing us together as one university to serve the needs of our unique region.”
ATU Governing Body Chair, Maura McNally SC sees Atlantic TU as an opportunity to counter-balance the emigration experienced in the west and north-west.
Ms McNally said: "ATU will give people an education here and as they are educated that will assist the region in growing and allow for the sustainability that we all aim for.”
Speaking on behalf of the new ATU Students’ Union, Colin Kearney said: “Most of our students chose to study in GMIT, LYIT or IT Sligo because of small classes, friendly atmosphere and the applied learning that Institutes of Technology are famous for. I’m confident that these will be defining features of Atlantic TU but with even more opportunities.”
