NUI Galway and GMIT have been allocated almost €3 million between them for capital works and the purchase of equipment.
The funding for Galway’s two main colleges is part of a national allocation of €25 million announced by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris this week.
The funding, which is provided through the Higher Education Authority, is meant to give colleges the flexibility to address small-scale capital investment and equipment including infrastructure upgrades, ICT and equipment renewal, and energy-related upgrades.
NUI Galway will receive €1.75 million from this pot, and GMIT has been allocated €1.06 million, which Dr Orla Flynn, President of GMIT, said is both welcome and timely.
“In GMIT we will be mainly allocating this funding towards upgrading and refurbishing existing facilities across our five campuses, including equipment.
“We will be looking especially closely at investing in supports for our online teaching and learning,” Dr Flynn added.
Minister Simon Harris said that it is essential that higher education institutes can reinvest in their estates, upgrade equipment, and help in the shift to a blend of online and in person learning.
“Ongoing capital investment is essential to ensuring a high quality academic environment and a positive campus experience for students and staff.”
“This flexible funding complements other targeted capital investments in the sector that will help expand availability of student places and transform campus infrastructure over the coming years.”
