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Drive for University of the South East continues – Institute chairman
Posted: Fri, February 20, 2009 |
The drive towards securing university designation for Waterford Institute of Technology is ongoing with the arguments for University of the South East only strengthened by the current economic downturn and resulting job losses in the region. That’s according to Redmond O’Donoghue, chairman, Waterford Institute of Technology.
Responding to media queries arising from correspondence between the Department of Education & Science and Waterford City Council on the issue, Mr O’Donoghue said that while the Institute would have wished to see further firm progress made at this stage, they continue to “actively engage” with Government and remain confident of a positive outcome.
“It has been a long road over the three years since we made our comprehensive submission to Government in February 2006 and events in the wider economy in the intervening time have only served to reinforce how important it is that the southeast have a university to act as a catalyst for social and economic renewal.
“We continue to actively engage with Government to move towards re-designation in line with the findings of Dr Jim Port in his 2007 Government-commissioned report assessing our case and the wider context. Given the current state of our public finances, it is important to note that Dr Port found the transition to University of the South East would be at least cost neutral with any additional expenditure more than offset by the clear economic benefits and additional tax revenues generated,” Mr O’Donoghue continued.
“The Institute has had considerable support from a large number of groups and individuals within and outside of the southeast with this drive and that ongoing backing is deeply appreciated and shows a clear recognition of how vital University of the South East is to this region’s future. We in the southeast can no longer hope to compete successfully with regions that have universities as socioeconomic driving forces generating the ideas and providing the graduates that will create and sustain future employment.
“The dream of university designation remains achievable. We continue to work night and day towards our goal. Until that day comes, there will be no rest.”
