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North West Tertiary Education Cluster (NWTEC)

NWTEC is now an established strategic alliance of all four publicly funded tertiary education providers in the North West City Region: Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Ulster University (UU), North West Regional College (NWRC) and Donegal Education and Training Board (DETB). This deep partnership provides the full range of educational services including advanced skills training, cutting-edge innovation supports for enterprise, and internationally recognised high-quality research.

Mission

Mission of the North West Tertiary Education Cluster in conjunction with key stakeholders is to create a Shared North West; a connected, high performing region achieved through the pursuit of the clear opportunities available via Smart Growth, Sustainable Growth, and Inclusive Growth.

Regional Priorities

NWTEC sees the framework set out in Europe 2020 and its three mutually reinforcing priorities as a template for the development of a strongly integrated Shared North West: Smart Growth - developing an economy based on knowledge and innovation. Sustainable Growth - promoting a more resource efficient, greener and more competitive economy. Inclusive Growth - fostering a high-employment economy delivering social and territorial cohesion.

Values

Inclusive: NWTEC is committed to delivering for all individuals at whatever point they are in their tertiary education journey and for all communities with a particular focus on communities that are underrepresented in tertiary education. Collaborative: NWTEC will cooperate with all partners working towards the development of the North West cross-border region and will actively encourage the support of other entities that can help deliver on the NWTEC mission. Responsive: NWTEC is a place-based response, guided by national and regional policy, where the needs of the region is the central tenet governing the alliance’s practice. In addition, NWTEC is also committed to addressing stakeholders’ requirements in a timely manner. Innovative: NWTEC is conscious that for the North West to achieve its potential there is an imperative to embrace smart innovation and this commitment to a smart approach will deliver the best outcomes in terms of the available resources. Transformative: NWTEC is an ambitious alliance of all tertiary education providers in the region, endorsed by central and local government in both jurisdictions, and has the capacity to have a positive transformative impact on the North West.

North West Tertiary Education Cluster (OBJECTIVES)

Comprehensive regional tertiary education portfolio with clear study pathways/joint initiatives. Reducing early school leavers, growing student numbers with a focus on key skills areas. Growing percentage aged 20-64 in employment. Real contributions to regional enterprise via upskilling, reskilling and innovation supports. Developing profile of NW as attractive location to work, live, study, and invest. Establishing a research function to overcome the historical disadvantage and transform the NW into a high performing Smart Region. Reflecting the place-based ethos of NWTEC Advocating for the NW nationally, internationally

North West Tertiary Education Cluster (STEERING GROUP)

The NWTEC Steering Group comprises the Head of College of ATU Donegal, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University, Principal/Chief Executive of NWRC, and the Chief Executive of Donegal ETB. Each institution has at least a further senior manager on the Steering Group and the Programme Manager is also a member. Meetings take place monthly during term time and the role of chair is rotated between the leads from the partner institutions.
North West Tertiary Education Cluster

North West Tertiary Education Cluster (STRATEGIC PILLARS)

The North West Tertiary Education Cluster (NWTEC) has identified five strategic pillars: Region and Place, Programmes and Pathways, Postgraduate and Research Capacity, Enterprise Engagement, and Community Supports. NWTEC aims to leverage the region’s quality of life, history, and international links to enhance local potential. It focuses on collaborative educational pathways, developing new programmes in areas like Industry 4.0 and green technologies, and promoting existing ones. The cluster plans to establish Doctoral Training Centres and joint postgraduate programmes to boost research capacity. Enterprise Engagement involves supporting local businesses and fostering entrepreneurship, while Community Supports aim to address regional deprivation by widening access to education and upskilling opportunities.
North West Tertiary Education Cluster

North West Tertiary Education Cluster (TARGETED PROGRESS)

NWTEC, in consultation with NWSGP and key stakeholders, will set ambitious 5, 10, and 20-year targets to enhance regional tertiary education, reduce early school leavers, increase student numbers and tertiary qualifications, attract international students, boost employment, support economic activity, contribute to regional enterprise through upskilling and innovation, promote the North West as a prime location for work and investment, establish a research function to address historical disadvantages, and advocate for the region's development on national and international levels.

NWTEC Partners

Atlantic Technological University

Atlantic Technological University (ATU)

Ulster University

Ulster University (UU)

North West Regional College

North West Regional College (NWRC)

Donegal Education and Training Board

Donegal ETB

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Tertiary Education Partners

Atlantic Technological University

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) is one of the largest multi-campus universities on the island, serving a diverse group of learners, staff, communities and organisations from across the West and North West region and further afield. ATU is dedicated to enabling sustainable economic, social and cultural development; connected to its catchment region and with a mindset that reaches far beyond it.

Ulster University

Ulster University (UU) has a national and international reputation for excellence, innovation and regional engagement, making a major contribution to the economic, social and cultural development of Northern Ireland. UU’s core business activities are teaching and learning, widening access to education, research and innovation, and technology and knowledge transfer.

North West Regional College

North West Regional College (NWRC) is the main provider of professional and technical education and training in the North West region with its main campuses located in Derry~Londonderry, Limavady, and Strabane.

Donegal Education and Training Board

Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB) provides a broad range of education and training services including post-primary schools and colleges, Further Education and Training (FET), outdoor education and training, music education and has legal responsibilities for youth work in County Donegal. Donegal ETB actively pursues the further development of educational services and has a history of responding flexibly to community needs and aspirations.