ENNIS is to become home to the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest it has been confirmed, with the name of the country’s newest TU unveiled this week.
This comes following the announcement last month that Athlone Institute of Technology and Limerick Institute of Technology Ireland had been designated as a TU, with LIT’s Ennis campus on Bindon Street falling under the remit of the new institution.
The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD confirmed the new name this week.
TÚS, in Irish, denotes a beginning or start for the new university while Midlands Midwest represents the principal regions, whose geography and provenance are linked by the River Shannon. Inspired by Ireland’s longest river, TUS: Midlands Midwest represents the flow of knowledge and ideas.
The name of Ireland’s newest TU emerged from extensive independent research carried out with almost 3,500 students, staff, and regional stakeholders over several months.
Welcoming the announcement, the presidents of both institutes of technology, AIT’s Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin and LIT’s Professor Vincent Cunnane said this was another momentous step in the journey towards the opening of Ireland’s newest TU.
Professor Cunnane said, “This is a new name that reflects a new beginning. “TUS: Midlands Midwest brings a reality to our new TU, whilst TUS signifies a new beginning for our region and speaks to the connecting force of the River Shannon.
“The name represents a new beginning for our staff, our students, our communities, for the locations of our campuses and for the reinvention and re-imagination of our region.
“I would very much like to thank all of those who took part in the naming process. We have now embarked on the process of fashioning a brand for the new institution that will reflect the findings of our research and will bring the new university to life.”
The new university, which is set to open its doors later this year, will comprise a student population of more than 14,000 and a staff complement of approximately 1,200 people across six campuses in Athlone, Limerick, Clonmel, Ennis and Thurles.