Q&A - Athlone's university designation: What will it mean?

A look at some of the implications of today's AIT - LIT technological university news:

So what happened today?

Higher Education Minister Simon Harris this morning announced that Athlone IT and Limerick IT have been jointly designated as Ireland's next technological university. AIT has had the ambition of attaining university status for more than a decade. That goal has now been achieved.

When will this new technological university come into effect?

An opening date of September 1, 2021, had been targeted, but it might be slightly later this year before the legislation establishing the new university has been passed by the Oireachtas. Nevertheless, AIT and LIT students who will be graduating in the 2021-2022 academic year are expected to do so with university qualifications.

What will it mean for student numbers in Athlone?

Student and staff numbers are expected to grow in the years ahead, but it's difficult to say by how much. "We're expecting that our student numbers will increase, we're expecting our research to increase and we're expecting that our international profile will increase," said AIT President, Professor Ciaran Ó Catháin, today.

The technological university is expected to have an overall student population of more than 14,000, and approximately 1,200 staff, across six campuses in Athlone, Limerick (2), Clonmel, Ennis and Thurles.

So it's very much a 'Shannonside' institution?

Indeed. The announcement pointed out that the River Shannon linked AIT and LIT, and that the new university would border nearly half of Ireland's 26 counties, providing "unprecedented levels of access" to higher education.

Are economic benefits expected?

Yes. It's hoped that the 'university' label will help attract more foreign direct investment to Athlone and alongside the other campuses in Limerick, Clare and Tipperary.

"We will have that university standing, and I think that changes the dynamic of a town and a region," commented Professor Ó Catháin.

Who will be the president of the new technological university?

That hasn't yet been determined. The president is expected to be appointed this summer. Professor Ó Catháin, who has been at the helm in AIT for more than 20 years, has indicated that he's likely to apply for the role. "Having brought Athlone to where it is today, I would certainly like to bring it further in terms of the whole TU, but that will be up to a panel to decide," he said.

What will happen to the AIT students union?

It's merging with the students union in Limerick. The current AIT students union president, Áine Daly, has been elected to lead the new joint organisation.

Is this the first technological university in Ireland?

No, it's the third. However, it is the first cross-regional university in Ireland, spanning two provinces.

The two existing technological universities are TU Dublin, established on January 1, 2019, and Munster Technological University, or MTU (formerly Cork IT and IT Tralee) established on January 1, 2021.

Others are being planned, including a Connacht-Ulster Alliance involving GMIT, Letterkenny IT, and Sligo IT. Sligo IT, incidentally, has an Athlone native, Dr Brendan McCormack from Bonavalley, as its president.