South East Technological University (SETU) welcomed Oireachtas members to Teagasc Kildalton College on Wednesday, August 28, to brief them on its proposed bid for a veterinary school and a pharmacy programme.
SETU provided an update on its developing strategic objectives, while highlighting its capacity and preparedness to host the new schools in question.
Attendees included Minister Malcolm Noonan; TD, Minister Mary Butler TD; Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, MEP; Brendan Howlin, TD; Marc Ó Cathasaigh, TD; John Paul Phelan, TD; Matt Shanahan, TD; Verona Murphy, TD; Johnnie Mythen TD; David Cullinane TD; Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD; Senator Malcolm Byrne and Senator John Cummins.
The Oireachtas members were treated to a guided tour of Kildalton’s premises by the college’s president, Tim Ashmore, before receiving a comprehensive briefing of its bid by a representative of SETU.
New vet school
In 2022, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) began exploring the prospect of expanding provision of dentistry; medicine; nursing; veterinary medicine and pharmacy programmes.
SETU’s submission to offer veterinary medicine proved viable following an independent assessment overseen by the HEA.
According to SETU, its application builds on the university’s strengths in science and land sciences, coupled with a 50-year collaboration with Teagasc, Kildalton Agricultural College in Piltown, Co. Kilkenny.
However, it is competing against the University of Limerick (UL), and Atlantic Technological University (ATU) for the same veterinary school privilege.
The government has yet to make a definitive decision on where the new veterinary school will be housed.
part in a calf delivery demonstration. Source: Patrick Browne
SETU’s dean of the School of Science and Computing, Prof. Peter McLoughlin said:
“The positive assessment of SETU’s proposals recognises the University’s strengths in pharmaceutical science and agricultural sciences, and the significant added value of our 50-year collaboration with Teagasc Kildalton College.”
SETU president, Prof. Veronica Campbell, emphasised the importance of the veterinary medicine and pharmacy programmes to the university’s strategic goals as a driver of transformation and innovation in the south-east region.
“By attracting high-calibre students from the south east and beyond, we aim to support regional development, building a vibrant innovation ecosystem that promotes high-quality job creation and long-term employment opportunities,” Prof. Campbell said.
“This meeting allowed us to brief Oireachtas members from the south-east on the progress of the development of our veterinary medicine degree and pharmacy programmes.
“Our programme development team outlined SETU’s significant progress including fantastic stakeholder support across the region and our partnership with Teagasc Kildalton College for course delivery,” she added.
Highlighting the importance of the programme for the region, Veterinary Medicine programme development lead, Dr. Mary-Kate Burke, said:
“We are very appreciative of all the veterinary practitioners who have not only pledged their support to the proposed veterinary medicine programme at SETU but who have become actively involved in the curriculum development.
“The support for SETU at a regional, national, and international level has been amazing throughout the ongoing process.”