Louth Meath Education and Training Board and DCU agree new partnership

^{ABOVE: At the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Louth Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) and Dublin City University (DCU) were Prof Daire Keogh, president, DCU and Martin O’Brien, chief executive, LMETB}

The Louth and Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) has announced a new agreement with DCU to support the delivery of third level education programmes in Drogheda in conjunction with the Drogheda Institute of Further Education (DIFE). 

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between LMETB and DCU was developed in response to the recommendations of the Geiran Report, which sets out an ambition to Create a bridge to a Better Future for Drogheda.

The Report explored the challenges presenting in the Drogheda catchment area in addition to local strengths and resources. It also identified measures that could support community safety and chart a path to improved community wellbeing in and around Drogheda. 

The agreement between LMETB and DCU will also support the development of stronger links between Further Education and Training (FET) and Higher Education (HE) including Advanced Entry to DCU programmes in accordance with the vision for a unified Tertiary Education as articulated by Minister Simon Harris TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. 

Martin G. O’Brien, chief executive, LMETB, said, “The agreement with DCU is a significant development in keeping with the ambition of LMETB and the Department of Justice’s Geiran Report.

"It will serve to strengthen the already excellent working relationship between DCU and the DIFE.  We are looking forward to developing innovative partnerships with the university that will enhance the tremendous offerings currently provided by the DIFE and other further education and training colleges in our catchment area in response to the needs of our community and local economy.” 

The agreement will expand on existing pathways from further education to higher education for graduates of the Drogheda Institute of Further Education (DIFE) and LMETB including the piloting of certain DCU courses at the Institute. The agreement also identifies the expertise and supports that can be shared between LMETB, DIFE and DCU to support an appropriate mix of skills-related offerings in the region. 

Prof Daire Keogh, president of Dublin City University, said: “DCU is deeply committed to the development of a unified system of Tertiary Education to maximise learner opportunity and regional prosperity. Towards this end, and in response to the recommendations of the Geiran Report, I am delighted to sign this agreement with LMETB, and I look forward to a flourishing  partnership which will enrich our region.” 

Prof Anne Looney, vice-president of academic affairs, DCU, said “I am pleased that DCU can enhance its support for students in the region and grow our existing pathways for students from Drogheda. We look forward to working together in support of this key government priority.” 

Davy Mc Donnell, principal of the Drogheda Institute of Further Education, commended the linkage, stating “the shared goals of DCU and DIFE will strengthen and shape the educational and skills ecosystem within Drogheda and the wider region.”

Acknowledging the support of LMETB in establishing the partnership, he affirmed the desire for “the partnership to grow and develop” and underlined the joint commitment to “create an education provision that will further deliver exceptional outcomes to local communities, helping to build a culture of aspiration and success for young people locally and across the region.” 

Louth and Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) is the largest education and training provider in Louth and Meath, providing a broad range of education and training services to over 30,000 students and learners on an annual basis.