“Breakthrough moment” for the TU sector says Technological University Association
Wednesday 17th December 2025: The Technological University Association (TUA) welcomes the Government’s announcement on the introduction of Professorships for the Technological University sector, describing it as a “breakthrough moment”.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, announced the introduction of a full Professorship grade in Ireland’s TUs for the first time, approving up to 50 professorships, with an initial 25 positions to be rolled out across the system.
Speaking on behalf of the Presidents and Chairs of Ireland’s Technological Universities, Interim Chairperson of the TUA, Professor Vincent Cunnane, said: “The introduction of Professorships for the TU sector has been a long time coming, and this is one of the fundamental needs since the establishment of Technological Universities. The announcement is a good first step towards full implementation of the OECD report on academic career pathways across TUs. This is a breakthrough moment in the evolution of the sector, while we continue to deliver on the Government’s ambitions as set out in the Technological University Act 2018
“There are outstanding key issues in relation to this news, and we look forward to engaging with the Government on a resolution that reflects the importance of this senior academic position.
“We would like to thank Minister James Lawless and his department, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), for their recognition of this need within our sector and the singular pursuit of achieving it.”
In 2022, a review by the OECD recommended that a modern career framework, including senior academic grades and contracts, was an urgent reform essential for the TU sector.