Ireland's newest university has been officially launched, with the institution's president saying it has the potential to be the most transformative initiative in its region in decades.
South East Technological University has over 18,000 students and more than 1,500 staff on its campuses and is the result of decades of education and research on campuses in Waterford and Carlow as well as Wexford and Kilkenny.
Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris was in Waterford today to perform the official launch of SETU and said that it is a university "designed by staff, students and the people of the south-east over decades" which can have a national and global reach.
At a ceremony in the SETU arena in Waterford, where he was joined by staff, students, and other interested parties, the minister declared that "the vision has become a reality."
I'm excited to help Ireland's newest university play a significant role in our higher education environment.
The university was founded on the ashes of the original regional technical institutions in Carlow and Waterford, which later combined to establish SETU.
According to university president Professor Veronica Campbell, "South East Technological University, our new university in the south east of Ireland, has the potential to be the single-most transformative undertaking in the region in several generations."
"SETU will centre knowledge generation and learning on the region, promoting regional development on all fronts—economic, social, and cultural."
She stated that the first strategic plan for the university will reflect "our objectives to be a premier European technology university, entrenched in the south-east and committed to working with, and delivering for, our partners and communities across the area, Ireland, and the world."
The strategic plan has already been the subject of internal university staff and student consultation; the next step will be to consult the outside community.
As the only institution in the southeast, Professor Campbell continued, "We are extremely aware of the expectations of all citizens in the region when it comes to our ambitions.
"Our university's future can be shaped by our industrial partners, research collaborators, schools, community groups, instructors, parents, alumni, and the general public."
Professor Patrick Prendergast, chair of the governing body at SETU, stated that the university will serve the south-east "through cutting-edge educational programmes, advanced research, and societal involvement."
At the SETU Arena on the western campus in Waterford and the Kilkenny Road campus in Carlow, there was an official SETU launch event that featured a schedule of speakers, panel discussions, and an exhibition.
