From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris has announced a significant milestone in respect of moving towards the proposed integration of St. Angela’s Colleges into Atlantic Technological University during a visit today for St. Angela’s College.
Approval has been given to allow the strategic case for capital investment to further facilitate the integration of St Angela’s College into the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) to progress to the next stage under the Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund Framework, (TSSPF).
Minister Harris said:
"Today is an important day for St. Angela’s and ATU for our shared vision for integration of these two higher education providers here in Sligo and the North West. I am pleased to see that significant progress has been made in advancing the proposed incorporation of St. Angela’s into our new higher education powerhouse in the West / North West - Atlantic Technological University.
"The St Angela’s/ATU integration capital investment proposal has been successful in the first part of a strategic assessment process, and now moves to the next phase of the process which will see the development of a Preliminary Business Case.
"This will build momentum as the final stages of the incorporation agreement are nearing completion. I know all the parties are committed to ensuring a successful outcome in terms of the final agreement.
"My department and I are committed to capital investments that will significantly modernise and upgrade TU infrastructure and that will enable the ambitions of the TU agenda to be fully realised.
"The Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund forms part of a wider programme of strategic capital investment programmes in the HE sector.
"The strategic capital investment proposal seeks to facilitate the integration of the St Angela’s College programmes into the ATU. It is envisaged that capital investment would deliver improved student experience and learner access with enhanced campus facilities and online provision.
"It anticipates increased research and innovation capacity and activity. Investment would also assist in improving estates efficiency and sustainability while also improving teaching facilities and staff working environments; and greater learner access to higher education through online provision.
"St. Angela’s College, Sligo has long been an important provider of initial teacher education and home economics, both in the West / North West and nationally, providing higher education across a range of other disciplines, too, including food and nutrition, health sciences, nursing, disability studies, textiles, fashion and design, science, biology and business.
"The capital investment proposal as envisaged will be a key enabler to facilitate the successful integration of St. Angela’s into ATU in due course leading to an enhanced overall Higher Education system in the North West with a more complementary range of choices for learners."
Dr. Amanda McCloat, President of St. Angela’s College said:
"St Angela’s College has significantly expanded its student numbers in response to market demand, particularly in the fields of Home Economics, teacher education and nurse education.
"Consequently, we are delighted that the Minister has approved the progression of the joint strategic submission for capital investment to advance to the next stage of the TSSPF Framework which will provide much needed capital facilities on the campus to support this, and future growth, in student numbers.
"As we celebrate 70 years of education, we are excited about the next chapter in our journey with the integration of St Angela’s with ATU, one of Ireland’s largest Universities."
Dr Orla Flynn, President of Atlantic Technological University said:
"In ATU we have been working very closely with the team from St Angela’s for quite some time, making progress on a whole range of initiatives including the proposed incorporation.
"ATU is already one of Ireland’s largest Universities, and capital development across all our campuses is needed and welcome. We are delighted to hear that our joint strategic capital submission has been cleared to progress to the next stage of the TSSPF framework, and we look forward to making further progress in the months ahead."