Approval of Professor Grade for Technological Universities is great news for SETU

The establishment of a professor grade for Ireland’s five Technological Universities has been welcomed by Minister of State for Planning & Local Government, John Cummins TD as fantastic news for Waterford.

The Minister of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD has today introduced a new grade of Full Professor in Technological Universities, under the Technological University Act 2018.

50 Professor posts will be created across the country, with a first phase of 25 appointments, followed by a further phase of 25.

Speaking on the announcement, Minister Cummins said: “This is fantastic news for Waterford and the wider South East region. SETU is already playing a critically important role in driving regional development and supporting skills development through applied industry-focused education which is to the benefit to the regional and national economy.”

“The Programme for Government, which I had the honour of negotiating on behalf of Fine Gael, commits to enabling Technological Universities to act as drivers of regional economic activity - including the introduction of a borrowing framework and the delivery of a professorship grade within the sector. Today’s announcement is a further example of the government’s commitment to empowering Technological Universities to deliver on their mandate. I am looking forward to seeing SETU work with the department and the HEA to progress contracts for the appointment of highly skilled educators and researchers at this newly created professorship grade in this first phase of recruitment”.

It is expected that TU professors will drive enhanced research and innovation activity, research-informed teaching in their institutions and enhanced enterprise engagement in their regions. They also have the potential to be critical enablers for the TUs in entering new discipline areas of relevance to the economy and public services, such as veterinary medicine and pharmacy.