The creation of a large-scale, high performing university in the South East has been central to regional economic development policy in the recent past. SETU is seen in particular as making an important contribution to realising the ambitions for the region that are set out in Project Ireland 2040 and associated regional policies. The following policies and plans all strongly endorse the creation of a university in the region and outline the expectations of the university with regard to its contribution to regional development:
Southern Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES)
South East Regional Enterprise Plan to 2024
Other relevant policies include Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy 2021-2025 which is of particular relevance to the South East, and the various county development plans either published or in development.
Technological Universities appear first as an element in national higher education strategy in 2011 in the so-called "Hunt" Report, the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030. The legislation that allowed for the creation of Technological Universities was passed in 2018, the Technological Universities Act. The Act sets out in detail the functions of the TU. A key document that sought to conceptualise in more detail the TU proposition is the report of the Technological Universities Research Network (TURN), Connectedness and Collaboration through Connectivity, published in 2019.
The HEA maintains an extensive repository of documentation relating to the establishment of the various Technological Universities across the country, including SETU. The application from SETU for designation will be of particular interest.
For more general thinking on the future direction, challenges and opportunities for higher education in Europe, see the European University Association publication, "Universities without Walls" (February 2021).
Structures in Support of Planning: The most recent version of this document (available here) describes the management and governance arrangements for the strategic planning process at SETU.
Staff Webinar: On 21 September 2022, the President of SETU launched a consultation on the Strategic Plan with an overview briefing to the SETU community on the process and timelines. You may access a recording of the webinar here.
Staff Town-Hall Slide-deck: The slides from the presentation at the staff town hall meetings is available here.