TUS has today (Wednesday, October 23rd) welcomed the announcement by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan TD, that the next phase of the development of the College of The Future in Clonmel has been given the green light.
The development will lead to the creation of a new kind of campus which will host both further and higher education students, the first of its kind in Ireland. The project is based on close collaboration between TUS, Tipperary ETB and Tipperary County Council who purchased the Kickham barracks site in the centre of Clonmel for this purpose.
Commenting on the announcement, Professor Vincent Cunnane, President of TUS, said: “Collaboration is in the DNA of TUS, and we share in the Minister’s delight at today’s announcement.
“This is a clear endorsement of the power of partnership in Further and Higher Education, and indeed is an historic juncture for Clonmel and for Further and Higher Education in Ireland, with Clonmel becoming the first home for a co-located Further and Higher Education campus.
“We look forward to the next phase in this exciting and pioneering development, which provides capacity to extend and develop our research and teaching activity. We look forward to continuing our work with our partners, Tipperary ETB, SOLAS and others.
“I would like to congratulate all involved in today’s development, which will be of great benefit not just in the Clonmel area, but far beyond.”
Jimmy Browne, Vice President, Campus Services and Capital Development at TUS commented: “Today is a landmark day for Clonmel, for TUS and for Higher and Further Education in Ireland. This project brings together a number of unique aspects, with the repurposing of a historic town centre site which was part of the fabric of Clonmel and Tipperary for generations now becoming an exemplar of a completely new approach to Education provision. This innovation will bring new life to this campus for decades to come.
“The spirit of collaboration and ambition among the project partners breaks down boundaries and multiplies opportunities for learners, businesses and the community.”