Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD announced today that government funding has been confirmed for South East Technological University (SETU) to purchase 20 acres of the former Waterford Crystal site.
This milestone announcement will see SETU expand its footprint in Waterford while furthering the vision to create a University-Enterprise Quarter for the city and region.
Speaking this morning, Minister Harris said, "This is a major moment in the development of SETU. The purchase of the site will allow SETU expand and grow, and crucially embed in the city of Waterford.
"We know the history of this site. Once a bustling site of business and tourism, the site has been largely derelict since the closure of Waterford Crystal over 14 years ago.
"Today is a new dawn for this site. Here SETU will grow and this site will once again become a bustling site for students, research, enterprise and for the people of Waterford through creation of an active and dynamic University-Enterprise Quarter."
”Prof Veronica Campbell, SETU President warmly welcomed today’s funding announcement saying, “I would like to thank Minister Harris and the Higher Education Authority for their support of our collective vision and for providing the first phase of funding to allow that vision become a reality.
“Our work to realise a University-Enterprise Quarter on the Waterford Crystal site will begin now in earnest and we look forward to developing this vision with all of our stakeholders and regional partners.
"As a university embedded in our region our ambition is to bring together academia, research, industry and our communities to create a hub of knowledge, learning, enterprise, innovation and creativity."
The next steps will now be considered through the University's governance processes. SETU will then engage with stakeholders and the wider community, undertake design and apply for planning, all aligned with the strategic planning process of the University to further develop the vision for the University-Enterprise Quarter.
The former Waterford Crystal site extends to 37 acres and is located directly adjacent to the SETU Campus in Waterford. The acquisition of circa 20 acres for SETU on the site represents a significant opportunity for the future growth of the University, Waterford and the wider region.