Waterford Institute of Technology’s commitment to excellence, especially in the field of research and development, has been recognised in the Sunday Times Irish University Guide, which awarded it Institute of Technology of the Year 2009.
This is the second year that Waterford has taken top billing after a previous success in 2005.
Last Sunday’s publication reported that WIT consistently ranked among the country’s top-performing Institutes of Technology and has the best graduate employment record in the sector – something attributed to the high level of recognition of its degrees among employers.
The award citation notes how research income per academic at Waterford is almost on a par with that in the university sector with new projects ranging from finding commercial uses for seaweed to testing future telecommunications services with O2. The “significant ongoing investment programme has given it modern, well-serviced campuses with excellent student services” was also praised.
Redmond O’Donoghue, Chairman, Waterford Institute of Technology told the press that the award demonstrated WIT’s consistency and sustained performance. “The Institute’s achievements far exceed what might be reasonably expected – especially in research, development and innovation, as specifically mentioned by the Sunday Times assessors”, he continued.
“While congratulating the entire staff and student body for this latest endorsement of their work, I must again record that, in order to achieve its full potential, the Institute can no longer be constrained by not having the legislative autonomy of a university. Re-designation as University of the South East would enable us to compete even more successfully and have a stronger regional and national impact as drivers of economic recovery.”
See The Munster Express newspaper for full story.
