It's the first technological university in Ireland to receive this designation.
The Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) has today been designated a 'University of Sanctuary' in recognition of its efforts to make higher education more welcoming and inclusive of asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants.
TUS is the first technological university in Ireland to receive this designation, which coincides with the United Nations’ World Refugee Day.
Under this new designation, TUS will roll out a three-year plan to help improve access to higher education for those seeking sanctuary in Ireland, as well as to promote intercultural awareness among staff, students, and the wider community.
“At TUS, we are allies to asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants and are intent on broadening access to higher education for all who would benefit from it. Our application for University of Sanctuary reflects that commitment and we are honoured to receive this designation,” TUS President Prof. Vincent Cunnane said.
“In our application for designation as a technological university last year, we restated our commitment to welcoming those seeking sanctuary into our community. Under the direction of the TUS University of Sanctuary committee, we aim to play a leading role in supporting asylum seekers, refugees and migrants across the Midlands and Midwest.”
As part of its efforts, TUS will shortly launch a University of Sanctuary Scholarship programme, which will see the technological university award 20 scholarships each year for the next three years – 10 to students pursuing a full-time CAO course and 10 to students embarking on the TUS Access programme.
This is an offering TUS intends to build upon in the future, expanding it to include postgraduate programmes, with the assistance of private philanthropy and with industry engagement and financial support.
“Refugee crises are one of the defining features of our time and as universities, occupying a privileged place in society, we have an important role to play in responding to the associated challenges these crises present,” said Frances O’Connell, VP of Student Education and Experience and chair of the TUS University of Sanctuary steering committee.
“As a University of Sanctuary, we will welcome refugees, asylum seekers and migrants into our community as well as create opportunities and encourage student engagement with people from diverse cultural backgrounds beyond the university campus.”
TUS already engages in a wide range of activities to support those seeking sanctuary, including the hosting of an annual International Refugee Week, community engagement with New Horizon, a local charity working with residents of direct provision, and the integration of refugee studies into syllabi.
“The application for University of Sanctuary designation was compiled with considerable engagement from staff across the six campuses of TUS, which gives evidence of enabling equality, diversity, inclusivity and social responsibility,” Dr Chris McDermott, a law lecturer at TUS, explained.
“We have a strong mission and team in place in TUS to ensure we are ready to welcome refugees, international protection applicants and migrants into our higher education community and to support them to achieve academic success.”
€200,000 In Cash And Substantial Amount Of Drugs Seized In Laois
Massive Laois Operation Leads To Multiple Arrests In Connection With Stolen Vehicles
Over 300 New Dwellings Completed In The Midlands This Year
Concerns Raised Over Emergency Power Plant In The Midlands
National Ploughing Association Appoints New President, Chair And Vice-Chair
Offaly Boy 'Raring To Go' After Life-Saving Procedure
Over €7m In Just Transition Funding For The Midlands
Cancer Numbers Could Double By 2045 - Offaly Charity
First-Ever Laois Cost-Rental Homes Officially Opened
Late Laois Two-Year-Old's Organs Used To Save Three Children
State Expects To Exceed 2023 Midlands Housing Delivery
Abolishment Of Carer's Means Test May Be Halted By "Permanent Government"
Ryanair Calling On EU To Protect Flights Amid French Air Strikes
Low Cost Home Heating Loans The Final Piece Of Retrofitting Jigsaw - Pippa Hackett
Gardaí Advising Motorists To Avoid Midlands Road
Drugs Are Being Drone-Dropped Into Midlands Prison
Laois County Council Votes To Adopt New Local Area Plan
100k Children Missed Out On Dental School Screening In 2023
Prison Inmates' Mental Health Being Impacted By Over Crowding
Plans For Cycling And Walking Trails Across Midlands Bogs