The Minister for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell O’Connor T.D. today (1 January 2019) welcomed the formal establishment of Technological University Dublin.

Minister Mitchell O’Connor said “I am absolutely delighted that after years of hard work by a wide array of people and institutions including the staff and students of the three institutions now merged into this new Higher Education Institution, the Houses of the Oireachtas and relevant Government Departments, this first day of the New Year of 2019 marks the start of a new era in Irish higher education, with the formal establishment of the first technological university in the State, Technological University (TU) Dublin.

The Minister said: “The emergence of the first technological university is a landmark day for Irish education. New Higher Education Institutions such as TU Dublin will be distinguished from traditional universities by an ethos that is more closely aligned with, and which builds upon, the mission and focus of Institutes of Technology from which they stem.

As such, they will have an emphasis largely – though not exclusively – on programmes at Levels 6 (higher and advance certificates) up to Level 8 (honours bachelor degree) on the National Framework of Qualifications, and on industry focused research. TUs will also play a pivotal role in facilitating student access and progression particularly through their relationships with the further education and training sector. I very much welcome this aspect because in my view if the student is not at the heart of any HEI, then we are failing in our duty and mission as educators and legislators for the best education possible”.

TUs will also have a regional development mission and focus on research, innovation and knowledge-transfer particularly in partnership with Small and Medium Enterprises. They will forge close links with business, enterprise and local and regional communities.

Minister Mitchell O’Connor noted “This is the first TU to be established in the history of the State. However, it did not emerge fully formed but is building on some 175 years of proud higher educational history between Dublin Institute of Technology and the Institutes of Technology Blanchardstown and Tallaght. This milestone new unitary institution, the largest now in the State, spread across three main campuses and with a “virtual” campus, comprising some 28,000 students and over 3,000 staff, will, I am sure, build up and record an equal history of service excellence to its students and hopefully over a similar time period and beyond”.