Irish Government to legislate for ‘landmark’ link between Queen’s and Dundalk IT

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, Press Association

The Irish Government is to legislate to create a “landmark” partnership between Queen’s University Belfast and Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT).

Under the arrangement, formally approved by the two educational institutions last year, DkIT will be a University College of Queen’s as part of the first all-island university group.

This is expected to integrate programmes delivered at Dundalk within Queen’s, develop research collaboration, including proposals for a Joint Research and Innovation Centre on the Dundalk campus, and boost undergraduate and postgraduate provision in the North East.

On Tuesday, Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless received approval from Cabinet to draft amendments to the Technological Universities Act 2018, allowing DkIT to apply for designation as a technological university college.

Lawless said the decision was about “unlocking opportunity” for students, for employers and for the region.

“This partnership allows students to access internationally recognised Queen’s awards while studying and building their lives in their communities that most need their skills.

“Crucially, it is a practical expression of the Government’s Shared Island Initiative, turning co-operation into concrete outcomes.

“By aligning education, research and enterprise across borders, we are creating a more coherent all-island talent pipeline.”

He added: “This is a landmark all-island initiative focused on students, regional growth and our shared economic future.

“Supported through the Shared Island Initiative, it shows what can be achieved when institutions collaborate with ambition and purpose.

“By strengthening all-island research capacity, widening student choice and anchoring opportunity along the Dublin–Belfast corridor, this partnership translates the all-island idea into action – delivering scale, impact and opportunity for communities north and south.”