Carlow College, St. Patrick’s and Institute of Technology Carlow welcome the announcement todayby Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh T.D. and Minister of State with responsibility for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell O’Connor T.D., of funding for their collaborative consolidation project. This funding is allocated on foot of an application madeunder the Higher Education Authority 2019 call for submissions for higher education landscape restructuring, consolidation and collaborative projects.
The National Strategy for Higher Education provides for substantial and appropriate restructuring, consolidation and co-operative approaches within the landscape of Irish higher education. The HEA, with the support of the Department of Education and Skills, has recognised that such reforms carry additional costs and has provided for a fund to support consortia engaged in implementing reforms of the higher education landscape.
Following on from the recent formal signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the aim of strengthening their existing relationship, the two Carlow higher education institutions will work together to maximise the benefits from our mutual interests in translating areas of existing collaboration into practice. The MoA has specified areas of collaboration as including institutional alignment; collaborative provision; academic collaboration; research; learner engagement; facilities and resources and community engagement. The funding provided will support the implementation of activities in these areas.
In responding to the announcement, Dr Patricia Mulcahy, President of Institute of Technology Carlow said: “This funding recognises the potential of the collaborative relationship between the two institutions. It will support the future development of our joint initiatives for the benefit of our many outstanding students, graduates, faculty, staff and stakeholders.”
Looking forward to the collaborative project, Fr. Conn Ó Maoldhomhnaigh, President of Carlow College, St. Patrick’s said: “This announcement recognises the value of the collaboration between our two institutions. It will further enhance the provision of a first class educational experience for our current and prospective students and strengthen our inter-institutional relationship”.
