The new name for the latest technological university has been revealed
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD has announced that the name agreed by the applicant institutes for the new Technological University for the West and North West region being established next year will be Atlantic Technological University (Ollscoil Teicheolaíochta an Atlantaigh).
He said it is anticipated it will open its doors officially on April 1, 2022.
The name chosen by the institutes of Galway-Mayo, Sligo and Letterkenny Institutes of Technology follows a comprehensive survey commissioned by the Institutes from external consultants of relevant internal and external stakeholders including most notably the students and staff of the three Institutes. This name has the full support of all three governing bodies.
“Atlantic” conveys power, strength, inspiration, creation, vast horizons - a distinctive geography, rich history and shared heritage. This is a hugely ambitious name for a TU with an international reach without borders on the edge of Europe, spanning thousands of kilometers of coastline including the Wild Atlantic Way, a gateway to the rest of the world.
The name was chosen following an independent process of engagement by marketing and brand consultant company McCann (Dublin) who conducted surveys and online consultation with staff, students and stakeholders across the region and nationally.
Minister Harris said: “I am pleased to be able to announce the name of this Ireland’s fourth technological university and that subject to the relevant legislative processes being completed the date of establishment of the Atlantic Technological University shall be 1 April 2022. This means that students of the current three Institutes who graduate in this academic year of 2021/2022 and henceforth in the West and North West will do so with university qualifications”.
Subject to the drafting of the requisite Ministerial order under the Technological Universities Act 2018 by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, its laying before and approval by resolution by each House of the Oireachtas, it is proposed that the date on which the three Institutes will be formally dissolved and the Atlantic Technological University established in their place will be April 1, 2022.
Welcoming the Minister’s announcement, the Institutes said: ‘The name Atlantic Technological University reflects the deep connections to the region and our ability and ambition to impact at a national and international scale. This name expresses a sense of place, culture and heritage, incorporating aspiration, scale, geography and our commitment to innovation and sustainability. It speaks to our unique perspective on an island in the Atlantic that makes waves on an international stage. The new TU’s name was chosen through extensive research and consultation with thousands of students, staff and stakeholders across industry and education.
The open public process seeking expressions of interest in the post of first president of the new TU will be launched shortly by the applicant institutes.
Athlone native Dr Brendan McCormack is the president of IT Sligo,
Commenting on the name, the three Presidents, Dr Orla Flynn (GMIT), Dr Brendan McCormack (IT Sligo) and Paul Hannigan (LYIT) said: “We are delighted that Minister Simon Harris has announced that Atlantic Technological University will be the name for our TU. Our university will significantly contribute to the transformation of the educational landscape of this region, driving innovation, research and development and propelling the region on to an international stage.”