'This is about giving people in Thurles and the surrounding areas opportunities,' Minister Harris

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris visited Tipperary this week to announce funding for the development of two connected campuses in Tipperary.

The project will see two sites in Thurles and Clonmel, host further and higher education students in science, IT, health and wellbeing, energy efficiency and sustainability.

In Thurles, this will mean expanding the Technological University on the Shannon (TUS) campus on the Nenagh road to build an integrated further education site.

The vacated military barracks site in Clonmel will be developed into a new college. Minister Harris told the Tipperary Star in Thurles that the project is about creating opportunities.

“This is about giving people in Thurles and the surrounding areas opportunities, no matter how they want to learn or stage of their learning they are at, to be able to come here to the university campus here in Thurles.

“I think this is going to provide so many chances, pathways opportunities for local people, and I think it’s a really exciting day for Thurles and for Tipperary, said Minister Harris.

Minister Harris said thefurther development of regional university towns was essential for regional development.

“This is a brilliant day for Tipperary. Clonmel has been chosen as one of ten locations to proceed to develop a further education College of the Future.

“These two investments will allow for an expansion of further and higher education in County Tipperary.

“ I want to state my strong appreciation for the unstinting work by both the Higher Education Authority and SOLAS in bringing these collaborative projects, in particular, to the next stage for each of these capital programme calls; with the learner central to all plans and actions,” said Minister Harris.

He said a partnership between further and higher education means students have more access to different kinds of third-level education and that Tipperary is leading the way in this new model.

“It’s a vision I have for the rest of the country, and it’s actually happening in Tipperary, so let’s not take it for granted because what I really believe is we are here with a huge sense of purpose.

“Everyone is putting on that county jersey rather than the institution jersey, the regional aim rather than their own aim,” said Minister Harris.

Learners First
TUS President, Professor Vincent Cunnane, said this project reflects the ethos of TUS, partnership and benefiting communities.

He reflected on the first anniversary of the establishment of TUS as a university which passed in October, saying to make Thurles and Clonmel university towns has far reaching implications.

The connected campuses he said, will be good for both students and the region.

For the students, he said they will have greater access to education, the ability to develop careers and stay in the region.

For the region, it means skills stay where they are needed, and communities are better served.

“This announcement represents a new future for an integrated Further and Higher Education system in Ireland.

“The Thurles Connected Campus is the first of its kind and signifies the physical manifestation of the state’s policy ambitions.

“The project reflects a true partnership approach between TUS and Tipperary ETB.

“But the ultimate winners in this are the students, who will experience a unique and fully integrated system,” said Prof Cunnane.

Prof Cunnane said the progress on this plan announced on Monday is the physical manifestation of the Government’s education commitments and policy.

Prof Cunnane thanked the Chief Executive of Tipperary ETB, Bernadette Cullen and her team for their work in bringing the project from conversations in an office to life.

Ms Cullen echoed the TUS president’s comments saying Monday’s announcement was a significant step forward for education in Tipperary.

“Today is an important day for Tipperary ETB and our partners TUS and Tipperary County Council.

“We really believe that the development of the College of the Future in Clonmel and the expansion of facilities in Thurles to include FET learners will provide a quality environment for FET and HE in Tipperary.

“ As connected campuses, both Clonmel and Thurles will provide learners with a vibrant college experience in their own county,” said Ms Cullen.

She said the project will have positive impacts for generations in Tipperary to come.

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Partnership
Ms Cullen said that the partnership started in Thurles with the PLC at Coláiste Mhuire in Thurles and the increased need for diverse pathways to third-level education, particularly for mature students.

She said there is a ‘true partnership’ between Tipperary ETB, TUS and Tipperary County Council, which puts the learner first.
CEO of SOLAS, Andrew Brownlee, said:

“This College of the Future is part of a larger shift towards distinct, integrated colleges of FET around the country, which will serve as a beacons of community-based learning excellence.

“ As we continue to deliver cutting-edge campuses that showcase the very best of FET, we will start to change the hearts and minds of Irish society with regard to school leaver and lifelong education options.

“A warm congratulations to my colleagues in Tipperary Education & Training Board and all of the potential learners in Tipperary and surrounding areas on what is an inspiring day for both the region and the sector.”

Accomodation
Third-level education in Ireland has many challenges both on and off campus.

At Monday’s announcement, Minister Simon Harris spoke about the Government’s plans to tackle the student accommodation crisis.

He said his department was funding the technological universities to bring forward their plans for student accommodation.

“I genuinely believe and accept there is a lot of work to do that 2023 can be the year we together can develop plans for student accommodation in Thurles and perhaps Clonmel, in Athlone in Limerick across the remit that you serve, and we will work every step of the way with you in relation to that,” said Minister Harris.