Editorial: Sod turns on an expectant new era for university education in Waterford

The wait has been long, and the fight arduous, but the sod-turning at South East Technological University's Waterford campus on Monday brings with it the hope of a new chapter and a new era in third-level education in Waterford.

SETU President Professor Veronica Campbell has been steering her ship with a steady assurance of her direction of travel - and she has made no bones of the fact that capital investment is central to achieving that vision and the full potential for our technological university here in Waterford.

The new development looks incredibly promising. Part of a higher education public-private partnership bundle - which had hit a number of hurdles along the way - it is one of a five-project investment by the Department of Higher Education.

Minister of State and Fine Gael TD John Cummins, whose party has often been criticised for the slow pace of progress on this development, has said the conclusion and signing of the contract for the expansion of SETU "marks a transformational moment for higher education in Waterford".

The new building will cater for engineering, architecture, computing and general teaching, consisting of undergraduate and postgraduate labs, general and specialised teaching space, learning resource space, administration space and ancillary space. It is expected to increase the capacity of SETU in Waterford by 1,000 students.

“The expansion of SETU will see a step change in its capacity which will not only result in a growing student population but a wider opportunity for the South East region in terms of investment, jobs and innovation," said Minister Cummins. 

“I know how important this PPP project is for students and staff across this region and I look forward to continuing to work with the leadership team at SETU led by Professor Veronica Campbell.” 

On Monday, the sod-turning event was attended by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, Professor Campbell, and Waterford Ministers Butler and Cummins, who jubilantly watched on as the turf hit the air.

There was a similar level of anticipation here, as was witnessed at the North Quays site, when shovels were finally brandished there two years ago.

The bricks and mortar gradually building on the North Quays are telling of how significant that development is, with the Sustainable Transport Bridge now in place in particular raising the levels of anticipation.

Similarly, this project for SETU's Waterford campus will be a huge addition, in terms of attracting students and allowing the university to fully develop to its potential.

Further along the Cork Road, perhaps there was an inkling that Waterford is finally becoming a fashionable destination, a place with which those of influence want to be associated, as well-known architect of RTE fame Hugh Wallace attended as special guest at the Viking Hotel, where 90-plus renovated rooms were unveiled with his particular design stamp.

Maybe it's only a matter of time before Waterford features on the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland's (RIAI) shortlist of top architectural buildings in its yearly competition, with Mr Wallace also a key architect on the North Quays project. 

The sky's the limit where Waterford's concerned, as it should be.