Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, TD, has today announced the commencement of the procurement process for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) building at the North Campus of IT Tralee.

Project Facility was approved in April 2020 and the new facility will consist of a split-level building of three storeys, comprising of lecture theatres, classrooms, machinery workshops & halls and laboratory space. The development will also include an engineering and agri-tech yard to the rear of the building with a dedicated access road, entrance plaza, office space and student and staff circulation and recreation spaces.

IT Tralee has recently approved its Masterplan Framework to 2030, with one of its key objectives to ensure a single integrated campus at the North Campus Dromtacker site. The development of the new STEM building will ensure that those students remaining in the South Campus, will join their counterparts in the North Campus when the building is completed.

The STEM School at the IT Tralee has seen a continued growth in enrolments in recent years, seeing an increase in both full-time and part-time learners. This new facility will further enhance the School’s ability to enrol further students, building on its national and international reputation.

Welcoming the announcement, Head of School of STEM Professor Joseph Walsh said: “IT Tralee has a distinguished record in a number of the STEM disciplines including our suite of Engineering (Civil and Mechanical) programmes, Pharmacy Technician, Pharmaceutical Science, Veterinary Bioscience, Wildlife Biology and Agricultural Science which are demonstrating year on year growth. The Institute is designated as the National Centre for Agricultural Engineering and the leading third level provider of programmes in Ireland in agricultural education. This new facility will underpin this expertise and growth into the future.”

Dr Brendan O’Donnell, IT Tralee President stated: “I welcome the progress made today on such a major development for ITT and the region. The completion of this building forms an integral part of the overall strategic plan for IT Tralee, in addition to delivering on a key component of the ITT Masterplan 2030. IT Tralee and Cork Institute of Technology will become Munster Technological University (MTU) on the 1^st of January 2021. The development of a STEM building fit for the 21st century will play a vital role in achieving the benefits envisaged by the creation of the MTU, significantly enhancing the number of STEM graduates for the region.”