Atlantic Technological University

This article is about the Irish educational institution. For similarly named organisations, see Atlantic University (disambiguation).

Atlantic Technological University
Ollscoil Teicneolaíochta an Atlantaigh
Logo of the Atlantic Technological University consisting of a large stylised teal-coloured "A" with a wave pattern accompanied by the name of the university in both Irish and English
Logo of Atlantic TU
Other names
ATU, OTA, Atlantic TU
Predecessors
TypePublic technological university
Academic affiliations
EUA
UI
EUt+
ChairpersonMaura McNally SC
PresidentDr Orla Flynn
Total staff
2,253
Students20,418
Undergraduates86%
Postgraduates14%
Location
Connacht and Ulster
,
Ireland
CampusMultiple
Colours     
Navy, teal and green
Websiteatu.ie

Atlantic Technological University (also known as Atlantic TU or ATU; Irish: Ollscoil Teicneolaíochta an Atlantaigh; OTA)[1] is a technological university in the west and north-west of Ireland. It was formally established on 1 April 2022 as a merger of three existing institutes of technology (ITs) – Galway-Mayo IT, IT Sligo, and Letterkenny IT – into a single university, the fourth such TU in Ireland.[2]

History

With alliances made in 2012,[3] by 2015, Galway-Mayo IT (GMIT), along with IT Sligo and Letterkenny IT (LYIT), submitted a formal Expression of Interest to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) in the Republic of Ireland for re-designation as a Technological University.[4] This partnership, known as the Connacht-Ulster Alliance (CUA), aimed to establish a 'Technological University' in the West of Ireland and County Donegal, a county in Ulster in the north of Ireland, and was in the planning stage in October 2018.[4]

The plan was a tenet of the GMIT strategic plan 2019 – 2023.[5]

The CUA planned to make a formal application in 2021, with a TU beginning operations in 2022.[6][7] In October 2020, the constituent IT's were allocated over €5.5 million towards transformation.[8]

Formal approval was granted in October 2021 by Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science,[9] with a launch date in April 2022.[10][11] In November 2023, St. Angela's College, Sligo became part of ATU.[12]

Campuses

Galway Campus

Atlantic TU Galway campus is based on the Dublin Road in Galway city, overlooking Galway Bay. It is the administrative headquarters for the Institute and has four Schools of study; the School of Business, the School of Engineering, the School of Science & Computing, and Galway International Hotel School. Also located at this campus are the Innovation Hub, the Lifelong Learning Centre and the Research, Development & Innovation Centre.

  • Main entrance to ATU Galway campus
    Main entrance to ATU Galway campus
  • Library of ATU Galway campus
    Library of ATU Galway campus
GMIT Centre for Creative Arts and Media, Galway City

Atlantic TU's Centre for Creative Arts and Media (CCAM) is located a mile from the main Galway campus on the Monivea Road. It is based in an old Redemptorist Monastery. It offers undergraduate courses in design, contemporary arts, film & documentary, textiles and fine art.

In 2016, it introduced post-graduate courses in Creative Practice to support artists, designers and filmmakers. The annual graduate exhibitions and screenings showcase the work being produced throughout the academic year.


Sligo Campus

The Sligo campus of the university is located in Ash Lane, Sligo town. In addition, St. Angela's College, Sligo which is located a few miles outside the town became part of the university in 2023. It was formally gifted to the university by the Ursuline Order of Nuns which had established the college in 1952.[13]

  • Main entrance to ATU Sligo campus
    Main entrance to ATU Sligo campus
  • Business Innovation Centre (BIC) at ATU Sligo campus
    Business Innovation Centre (BIC) at ATU Sligo campus
  • Sports centre at ATU Sligo campus
    Sports centre at ATU Sligo campus
  • Section of library
    Section of library
ATU Letterkenny Campus

Letterkenny Campus

ATU Letterkenny Campus lies on the Lower Port Road (part of the N14) in Letterkenny, County Donegal, in Ulster, the northern province in Ireland.

It offers a large range of programmes including undergraduate and postgraduate courses in computing, engineering, design, science, business, veterinary practice, nursing and law.

Killybegs harbour

Killybegs Campus

The ATU Killybegs Campus, located in the south-west of County Donegal in the west of Ulster, houses the School of Tourism. It is located by the harbour.

It is home to ATU Department of Tourism and Sport and offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in culinary arts, hospitality and tourism disciplines.

Mayo Campus

Campus building in Castlebar, originally built as St. Mary's Hospital in 1866.[14]

Atlantic TU Mayo campus is located at Castlebar on approximately 20 hectares of land.

Degree courses on offer include business, engineering, humanities, nursing and social care, and technology. Atlantic TU Mayo campus also offers a wide range of Lifelong Learning courses, and has an Innovation Hub to support entrepreneurs and start-up businesses.

Letterfrack Campus

Campus building in Letterfrack, originally built as St Joseph's Industrial School in 1887 after the designs of the Cavan architect William Hague.[15][16]

Atlantic TU Letterfrack campus is the National Centre of Excellence for Furniture Design and Wood Technology, and has been involved with the study of furniture design since 1987. It offers degree courses in furniture design and manufacture, furniture and wood technology, and teacher education (construction studies and DCG). The campus is located in Connemara in County Galway.

Mountbellew Campus

Further information: Mountbellew Agricultural College

Mountbellew was the first agricultural college in Ireland, set up by the Franciscan Brothers in 1904. The original college was demolished in 1971 and replaced with the new building in 1975. In 1986, the Franciscan Brothers Agricultural College established a link with (the then) Regional Technical College, Galway to deliver a Higher Certificate in Business Studies (Agribusiness).[citation needed]

In 2023, ATU students in Mountbellew can choose between three types of degree (Agri-Business, Agri-Science or Agri-Engineering) and spend time between the Mountbellew and Galway Campuses.[17]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Atlantic TU name and brand". ATU - Atlantic Technological University. 28 March 2022. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  2. ^ Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (15 February 2022). "Technological Universities Act 2018 (Section 36) (Appointed Day) Order 2022 (SI 56/2022)". www.irishstatutebook.ie. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  3. ^ Ní D, Aoibheann [@AoibheannNiD] (9 July 2012). "An Taoiseach attended signing of Connacht-Ulster strategic alliance today with GMIT, Ltrkny IT & IT Sligo in GMIT Cbar" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 May 2019 – via Twitter.
  4. ^ a b Marren, Aisling (12 October 2018). "HEA Invests €800,000 in Four Institutes of Technology". The University Times. Trinity College Dublin. Archived from the original on 12 October 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  5. ^ "GMIT launches €60m strategic plan for 2019 – 2023". GalwayBayFM.ie. 26 April 2019. Archived from the original on 28 May 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  6. ^ Donnelly, Katherine (28 April 2021). "Technological universities expected to get the green light to build their own student accommodation". Irish Independent. Dublin. ISSN 0021-1222. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  7. ^ Kelly, Briain (17 December 2019). "GMIT to formally apply for Technological University status in 2020". GalwayDaily.com. Archived from the original on 14 January 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  8. ^ "Connacht-Ulster Alliance (LYIT, GMIT and IT Sligo) allocated €5.7m under Transformation Funding for Technological Universities". Letterkenny Institute of Technology. 9 October 2020. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  9. ^ "Minister Harris announces Technological University for the West and North West". gov.ie. Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. 28 October 2021. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  10. ^ O'Dea, Blathnaid (28 October 2021). "Connacht-Ulster Alliance receive minister's approval for new TU in 2022". Silicon Republic. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  11. ^ "Atlantic Technological University: Name of State's newest university revealed". The Irish Times. Dublin. 23 November 2021. ISSN 0791-5144. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  12. ^ "St. Angela's now part of ATU". Highland Radio. 6 November 2023.
  13. ^ Deering, Paul (9 November 2023). "A gift from the Ursuline Order paved way for Sligo college's incorporation into university". Irish Independent. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  14. ^ "Castlebar District Lunatic Asylum, Castlebar, County Mayo". National Inventory of Archirectural Heritage. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  15. ^ "CO. GALWAY, LETTERFRACK, INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS". Dictionary of Irish Architects 1720–1940. Irish Architectural Archive. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  16. ^ "Letterfrack, County Galway 30329005". National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  17. ^ "Careers in Farming, Horticulture & Forestry". CareersPortal.

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