Multi-million euro funding for MTU

One of Cork’s third level institutions is to benefit from a multi-million euro funding boost, which was announced earlier today by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris.

Two projects at Munster Technological University (MTU) are advancing to the next stage of development through the Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund (TSSPF), the minister said.

The investment in MTU Cork will involve the upgrading and extending of the existing Blocks D and Blocks A to provide teaching facilities in the areas of business, humanities, engineering, science, health and wellbeing, tourism.

The project aims to enable MTU Cork to enhance the learning offerings at the Bishopstown campus, in terms of both numbers of learners and disciplines provided. The new infrastructure will also be instrumental in addressing skills shortages in current sectors.

The minister made the announcement while visiting Kerry MTU’s North Campus. The Tralee campus proposal is the development of a student learner centre with the potential to serve 2,000-3,000 students.

Speaking in Tralee, Minister Harris said: “We are investing tens of millions of euros across the country to ensure each student benefits from the highest quality of education.

“I am delighted to announce that two MTU proposals have been approved to progress under the Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund," he said.

“This means MTU can now work towards appointing design teams to get the ball rolling on each of these transformative projects for MTU. It is with these multi-million euro investments that we will truly change the learners’ experience for the better, providing the highest quality of infrastructure.

“These are significant investments, providing funding to the tune of €130m for a number of projects that have been successful at this stage of the programme, of which MTU Cork and Kerry are two of those projects," he added.

President of MTU Professor Maggie Cusack welcomed the announcement. “Today’s announcement marks a real vote of confidence in MTU and will enhance further and higher education opportunities across the southwest region for generations to come.

“Added to the recently opened state-of-the-art MTU Arena on our Bishopstown campus, as well as the buildings we currently have under construction and renovation – including a new Learning Resource Centre in Bishopstown, these new capital projects will enhance MTU’s reputation as a great place to study and work and a first-choice university in Munster,” she added.