University College Cork (UCC) is to spend €350 million on new student housing and a business school as well as a dental school and hospital. The construction programme will take place over the next five years.
Strategic plan
UCC issued their strategic plan which contains details about this investment. The university current has 20,000 students. It plans to increase student numbers by 2,000 – half of which will be international students.
The new business school will cost over €110 million. The new student accommodation will cost a further €64 million. This should provide housing for 600 students.
UCC is planning to fund the new buildings with a European Investment Bank loan. They will also draw on their own resources and philanthropic donations.
Necessary investment
UCC has said that the investment is necessary. As a result, the university will be able to meet the demand for third-level education.
The Vice President of UCC, Dr Rónán Ó’Dubhghail told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that this would position the university for growth as well as support Ireland’s growing society and economy.
Dr Ó’Dubhghail noted that the report from the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education had found that in the national interests to ensure that third-level education was sustainable.
The chair of the group Peter Cassells said at least €1 billion needs to be invested in third-level sector education over the next 15 years.
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