Dublin City University and the Louth and Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) have today announced a new partnership.
The agreement will see the university support the LMETB and Drogheda Institute of Further Education (DIFE) to deliver third-level education programmes in Drogheda.
The deal will also aim to support the development of stronger links between further education and training (FET) and higher education (HE), including advanced entry to DCU programmes.
The agreement was developed in response to the recommendations of the Geiran report, which was published in the wake of the murder of Drogheda teenager Keane Mulready-Woods.
The report subsequently led to the establishment of the Drogheda Implementation Board, which was set up to improve the safety and well-being of people in the town.
Today's agreement will further expand the FET to HE pathways for graduates of DIFE in specific discipline areas and look to pilot a number of DCU courses which may be hosted and delivered at DIFE.
It also identifies the expertise and supports that can be shared between LMETB, DIFE and DCU to develop an appropriate mix of skills-related offerings in the region.