Dr. Ruaidhrí Neavyn:

The discussions commenced before the summer and were very encouraging from our perspective. We were in contact with RTE on the proviso of developing a collaborative relationship between the institutes and the national broadcaster. It was communicated to Waterford Institute of Technology that RTE was reviewing its regional services and we saw an opportunity to create a joint partnership between the two organisations - this is being replicated in other institutes of technology - to provide joint services for the delivery of media elements. Waterford Institute of Technology runs courses with media and communications elements and courses with a large telecommunications or electronics component. The presence of radio and television studios is not uncommon on the sites of institutes of technology and we believed sharing such facilities between two State agencies would be a good approach to take. In addition, we believe it is important to share expertise. Social media and new technologies in media and broadcasting techniques will be best advanced or developed in the environment of a student centre and certain advantages can be obtained from such an arrangement. The project will involve shared services and new technologies in media. Waterford Institute of Technology has a proud and strong record in that regard, for example, in the Telecommunications Software & Systems Group, TSSG, a research group based in our Carriganore campus. The interaction between RTE and the institute will help to evolve and develop our existing courses in the media and communications area. That is the position in a nutshell. We also have a strong link with Nemeton which is based in Waterford.