Tipperary university lauded for innovation as new department officially launched

A Tipperary university has been lauded for its contribution to the Mid West at the official launch of a new department this week.

The newly established Business and Accounting Department was launched this week at Mary Immaculate College's (MIC) Thurles campus by Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke.

The new department will see over 500 students studying to be post-primary Business or Accounting teachers on five of the concurrent BA in Education programmes at MIC Thurles.

President of MIC, Professor Dermot Nestor said that the new department ties into MIC Thurles' heritage of innovation.

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"This is a department that is about people and where people are considered the most valuable resource. the real wealth, the true capital, is the people who work here and those individuals, organisations, and industries across the community that they will collaborate with and support.

"This is a future focus that ensures graduates are not simply responsive to changes in our society, but are the drivers of that change. I have every confidence that the ambition, the commitment, and the effort of this department will speak for itself," Prof Nestor said.

Speaking at the launch of the new department, Dr Rebecca Purcell, Head of the Department of Business and Accounting said that the  department “has a bold, ambitious vision—one that will shape the future of business and accounting education in Ireland”. 

"It is a statement of intent about what we value and what we strive for. And most importantly, it creates a dedicated space for students, faculty and industry partners and collaborators to drive innovation, research and teaching excellence.

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"It is about shaping future leaders, educators and innovators who will build and support our domestic economy in the face of increasing uncertainty and increasing protectionism in global economic policy, but who will equally contribute in a meaningful way to our society," Dr Purcell said.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke said: "As a Chartered Accountant by profession and having studied Commerce, I am delighted to launch the newly established Business and Accounting Department at Mary Immaculate College (MIC).

"One of the key elements of my portfolio is enterprise innovation, so it is excellent to see that in response to the growing popularity and relevance of these subjects—particularly on the initial teacher education programmes in post-primary teaching here at MIC Thurles—that a dynamic new department was founded to take the lead in this area," he added.