This Government investment will help realise our vision for a new higher education institution of international standing, an organisation with a new emphasis, structure, and activities
Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) welcomes the Minister of State for Higher Education’s Budget 2020 funding announcement for third level education.
The Minister of State for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell O’Connor T.D., today (9th October 2019) announced an increase of over €153 million for tertiary education.
This funding will provide -
- For the launch of the Human Capital Initiative with €60 million in 2020
- €18 million to address demographic pressures, accommodating an additional 2,700 places in 2020
- A multi-annual fund of €90 million to assist the development and progression of Technological Universities
- Funding of €3.3 million to promote excellence in research
- Funding of €2 million for student mental health and wellbeing initiatives in the higher education sector
As a member of the Technological Universities Research Network (TURN) group, the institute is delighted with the announcement of a €90m multi-annual transformation fund for TUs.
This investment is an important statement of commitment from the Government in the new technological university sector. As partners in the Technological University of the South East project, SETU and Institute of Technology Carlow will seek to leverage the fund to support the development of the first university in the south east region. This Government investment will help realise our vision for a new higher education institute of international standing, an organisation with a new emphasis, structure, and activities.
The Budget 2020 tertiary education announcement is far-reaching and as a research-active institute we are heartened to see dedicated funding to promote excellence in research. Research and innovation are our main connection points with industry, commerce, enterprise and the community and an important facet in the future Technological University of the South East of Ireland.