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SETU — a regional gamechanger
SETU
— a regional gamechanger
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“Now for the first time a university stands in the South East. This new university can build on the enormous strengths of both institutes and really put a mark on the quality of higher education, employment, enterprise and skills creation, expanded research, socio-economic and regional development in the vibrant South East.”
– Minister Simon Harris
“The South East Technological University is great for Waterford and the wider region. It now provides the opportunity for our students from across the South East to attend university rather than go elsewhere.”
– Cllr. Joe Kelly, Mayor of Waterford City & County
“Education, skills, research and innovation are all central to regional economic development and the establishment of the South East Technological University is a hugely significant step forward for our region.
The current Regional Enterprise Plan to 2024 is aligned as closely as possible to the new Technological University and has been written with significant input from its stakeholders. It is now imperative that SETU receives the level of funding and state support required to ensure it can be genuinely transformative for industry in the region.”
– Patsy Carney, Chair of the South East Regional Enterprise Plan
“I now have the honour of being a past pupil, lecturer, rent-paying tenant and Co-Founder of a spinout of SETU! I have also worked with many IT Carlow staff who embraced Crystal Valley Tech and saw its potential. Well done to all these amazing staff and students.
Now that we have moved into a different gear, Institute to University, let SETU continue to trailblaze and make the impossible possible just like WIT and Carlow have done for many years.”
– Elaine Fennelly, CEO, Crystal Valley Tech
“Government has placed significant emphasis on the ability of the new South East Technological University to radically improve our third level offering in the South East region. The amalgamation process was never the preferred option for WIT but Government and the Higher Education Authority strongly communicated that amalgamation was the only game in town.
The process is now practically completed and we will have to wait to see how this new partnership works. It may not be easy at the outset but what is abundantly clear is if Government do not provide the requisite pro rata funding to deliver significant capital expansion to the South East Technological University, this whole exercise will be nothing but a branding change and will take years to either undo or revert-energise.”
– Matt Shanahan TD
“The 1st of May 2022 was a landmark day for Waterford and the entire South East Region. Our city is now a university city and the new SETU is one of the largest higher-level institutions in the country.
I would like to put on record my thanks to outgoing President Willie Donnelly and all the management, staff and students for their tireless work over many years to arrive at this exciting point.
I believe our new university will develop and respond to the ever changing needs of industry and foster deeper relationships with the community it serves. The acquisition of additional land to expand the footprint of the Waterford campus has been a top priority of mine since being elected to Seanad Eireann and Minister Harris has confirmed that ringfenced funding is in place to ensure this is realised. I very much look forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure the new SETU is a significant catalyst for growth within our city and region.”
– Senator John Cummins
“The establishment of SETU will be significant in reversing the brain drain trend we witnessed previously. I firmly believe that the educational future for young generations to come has now been secured as Waterford is now officially a University City.
SETU will bring with it more investment in Waterford and the South East. Further backing will be necessary for the expansion of the campus here to ensure that we build on this progress and provide more courses for more students.
I will also push for more funding for investing in research here in Waterford. There is huge potential and opportunity to develop the relationship between the new university and our business community.”
– Mary Butler TD
“The future is bright for Waterford and the South East with the ratification of SETU, not only for our students and young people, but as it further cements Waterford as a great place to live, it is a win for all.
This technological university will open doors for so many here in Waterford and will attract further investment to our city. I would like to congratulate everyone that has worked so hard in getting it to this point. I would also like to welcome Professor Veronica Campbell as President and look forward to seeing the university grow from strength to strength under her leadership, we truly are in exciting times.”
