WIT Press Release
Title: Waterford Institute of Technology and Waterford College of Further Education formalise relationship
Release date: Wed, Jul 09, 2008
Waterford Institute of Technology and Waterford College of Further Education have ratified a co-operation agreement aimed at easing student transition from further to higher education in the southeast.
Under the agreement, the Institute will support the development of syllabi for Institute-approved modules to be completed by Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) course participants at Waterford College of Further Education aiming to continue their studies in higher education.
Speaking at the signing of the new agreement, Prof Kieran R Byrne said: "This is the latest in a series of measures being taken by this Institute to widen participation in higher education in the southeast where there has not traditionally been a high uptake of courses at third and, now, fourth level.
"Waterford College of Further Education builds on a proud tradition of diverse educational provision inclusive of all communities in Waterford. The College was established in Waterford as the Central Technical Institute 102 years ago. It makes a great deal of sense for us to cooperate ever more closely to ensure there are a minimum of obstacles facing students looking to make the transition from further to higher education."
For his part, Gerard Morgan, principal, Waterford College of Further Education said: "Many formal and informal links already exist between our College and the Institute. The agreement that we now enter in to will put a more formal structure on some of these ties and we look forward to seeing a growing number of our graduates go on to continue their studies at Waterford Institute of Technology which has earned a reputation as one of the country's leading higher education institutions.
"Access to higher education is a key issue as we look to up-skill the population so that Ireland may better face new social and economic challenges. This agreement is a step forward in this regard and will allow us best equip those of our students wishing to transfer to higher education on completion of their studies here."
Further information about courses at Waterford Institute of Technology and Waterford College of Further Education is available online at www.wit.ie and www.wcfe.ie respectively.
