CIT’s learning centre a step forward
The development of a state-of-the-art facility in CIT reached a key milestone this week, the college confirmed.
It is anticipated that development of the new Learning Resource Centre will gather pace, CIT has said, following on from the Government’s decision to proceed with the Higher Education Public Private Partnership Programme as well as plans to release the procurement documents for the first bundle of approved projects.
The new facility will provide capacity to expand CIT’s portfolio of programmes and services in business and STEM disciplines, as well as providing enhanced options for student support, industry engagement, entrepreneurship, and research and innovation.
It will provide new options for hosting events and conferences and its central location on the Bishopstown campus will ensure that it will be fully integrated with existing facilities and services, and developed in line with the goals and objectives of the CIT masterplan.
The building will be highly efficient from an energy management perspective and will meet or exceed all relevant standards in this regard. With the establishment of the Munster Technological University (MTU), through the merger of CIT and IT Tralee, the development of the new Learning Resource Centre will position CIT/MTU with the much-needed capacity to support the strategic needs of the south west, CIT said.
In welcoming the announcement, Dr Barry O’Connor, President of CIT, said: “Growing and embedding CIT and MTU engagement and concomitant research enabling leadership in local industry and enterprise, including community, social and cultural enterprise, will be given an even greater focus in the new university. “Greater bandwidth, critical mass and geographical spread will allow MTU to service the needs of and, reciprocally, be supported by, SMEs and large corporates alike. The development of the Learning Resource Centre will be crucial to our ability to succeed in this context.”
Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North West Aindrias Moynihan welcomed the news adding that it will greatly enhance the learning experiences for future generations of students. “As a former student of CIT, I am delighted to see investment in my former college where I know the excellence in education will continue to grow,” he said.
Meanwhile Fine Gael TD Colm Burke said the development of a Learning Resource Centre in CIT is a sign of the Government’s continued support for third-level education in Cork.