St. Angela’s College, Sligo is currently exploring the option of becoming a campus of the future Technological University (TU) of the West/North West that is being established by the Connacht-Ulster Alliance (CUA) consortium of Institutes of Technology. The CUA comprises GMIT, LYIT and IT Sligo.
IT Sligo together with St. Angela’s College and the Ursuline Union have signed a Memorandum of Understanding and a Data Sharing Protocol to enable a financial and legal due diligence process to commence. Following discussions with NUI Galway, the Higher Education Authority and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, St. Angela’s College are now proceeding to consider the process by which it would be incorporated into IT Sligo, in the first instance, and subsequently become one of nine campuses recognised under this new TU.
In welcoming the signing of the MoU, the President of St. Angela’s College, Amanda McCloat, noted that ‘this is an important milestone in the history of the College, bringing together the two highly reputable higher education institutions in Sligo, which will serve to further enhance the provision of higher education across the region’. President of IT Sligo, Brendan McCormack, adds ‘this is a significant development for both institutions as IT Sligo progresses it’s plans to become part of the new Technological University, allowing Sligo to become a strong University town’.
St. Angela’s College was established by the Ursuline Order in the early 1950’s, laying the foundation of a legacy that continues almost seventy years on. Sr. Marianne O’Connor, member of the Board of Directors (St. Angela’s College) notes ‘the Ursulines are supportive of the incorporation of St. Angela’s College into IT Sligo in the context of the College not only contributing to the Technological University but strengthening future developments between both institutions’.
Following the due diligence process, and subject to the approval by the Minister and appropriate IR negotiations, the next stage of the incorporation process will be to consider the business transfer arrangements. Both institutions continue to work together as they strive for this common goal to make Sligo an attractive student destination and research hub in the North West.