The Savannah-based Georgia Southern University has officially opened its first learning centre in Ireland, located in Wexford town. Georgia Southern University is the first public university in the United States to open an outreach learning facility in Ireland.

A delegation from Georgia Southern University and the business community of Georgia travelled to Ireland to host the official opening event with Wexford County Council and An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney TD. this afternoon.

Wexford County Council has forged a partnership with Georgia Southern and is providing the university with space to create the learning centre for students who will travel here from the United States. The new facility is located at the Old County Hall on the Spawell Road, in a Georgian-era building, constructed in 1812. Thanks to an €800,000 investment, the space has been modernised to provide state-of-the-art classrooms while retaining its heritage character.

Speaking at the event An Tánaiste said: “This campus is an exciting new addition to third-level education in Ireland as Georgia Southern University is the first public university in the US to open a facility here in Ireland. I am delighted to be here to celebrate this unique connection between Wexford and Savannah, Georgia; today’s event and the official opening of this campus showcases the ambition and vision of the educators at Georgia Southern as they work in partnership with Wexford County Council.”

Dr Howard Keeley Director of Georgia Southern’s Centre for Irish Research and Teaching says, “Georgia Southern University is excited to make a significant investment in international education by committing to Global Hub — Ireland. Our ambition is to develop Global Hub — Ireland in Wexford Town as Georgia Southern University’s primary educational venue for Europe. While the principal user will be Georgia Southern’s 26,000 students, we anticipate and welcome use by our sibling institutions in the University System of Georgia, which serves some 333,000 students.”

Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr. Michael Sheehan, Chairman, Wexford County Council said; “This proect will put Wexford on the map globally as a centre of innovation and excellence and it also demonstrates how universities across the world have international networks that will enhance the research and third facilities of county Wexford. I would like to commend all of the partners on the completion and establishment of this campus in such a short period of time.

CEO of Wexford County Council Tom Enright said today’s event symbolises the ambition and vision of Georgia Southern University to provide its students with an international learning experience and Wexford is embracing the opportunity to represent Ireland as part of the University’s expansion programme for third level. “This is one of the most exciting initiatives of international cross-collaboration that we as a local authority have embarked on,” he added.

There is a strong historic connection between Wexford and Savannah, the oldest city in the U.S. State of Georgia. A large percentage of the city’s population claims Irish ancestry, specifically tracing their roots to Wexford.

Georgia Southern University was founded in 1906. Occupying a total of 1,200 acres, it operates campuses in the cities of Savannah, Statesboro, and Hinesville, and it also provides online instruction. With 141 degree programs, it educates over 26,000 students, from undergraduates to postdoctoral research students.