Waterford has the chance to become one of the primary learning regions in the State, according to the director of the Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT).
Prof Kieran R. Byrne was speaking after the institute's first conferring ceremony, where students were awarded national certificates and diplomas.
The college, along with several other institutes of technology, now has the power to award its own qualifications, following a decision by the Minister for Education, Dr Woods.
Prof Byrne said WIT was "determined to drive forward the economic fortunes of the south-east" by widening the education provision in the region.
He said the "first steps" in this campaign would be taken next week when school principals and career guidance counsellors visit the institute and discuss a new "learning-region strategy".
"Those graduating from WIT this week will be our ambassadors in this project, for it is they who will prove the worth of our qualifications," he said.
In order for WIT to be strong in the future, Prof Byrne said, it needed a presence in research. He said WIT expected to have secured £16 million for research by the end of this year.
"Strong institutions such as ours that aspire to the primary rank must emphasise the research portfolio as one of its most important. The increased number of research graduates at master's and doctoral level being conferred this year will assist in this," he said.