Following the marketing trend in naming rights established by buildings such as the Aviva Stadium or the 3 Arena, a new building in the Institute of Technology Sligo is to be called ‘‘Aurivo Auditorium’’.

Institute of Technology, Sligo, has signed a four-year deal with Aurivo Co-operative Society, one of the northwest region’s largest employers, for the naming rights to a new state-of-the-art campus facility, which will be officially opened this September.

The new facility, situated in IT Sligo’s main building, will be opened by Irish Nobel Prize winner Professor William C Campbell, who is a native of the northwest.

In addition to the naming rights, the agreement with Aurivo will also see the IT Sligo logo appear on Aurivo’s Connacht Gold milk products. Aurivo’s members will use the auditorium for the co-operative’s principal conferences and AGM each year.

Professor Vincent Cunnane, president of IT Sligo said: “This is a facility which will be an important academic resource for the Institute’s students and staff, but it is also a facility for Sligo and the wider community. Bringing people to our campus is one of the best ways enhance our engagement with the community. That is what makes this new relationship with Aurivo a very good fit.”

Aaron Forde, chief executive of Aurivo, said: “As a globally focused agribusiness headquartered in Sligo, it’s fitting that Aurivo is collaborating with one of Ireland’s most successful third-level educational institutions. Education and industry partnerships are crucial in delivering a strong knowledge base and enhanced economic development, and Aurivo is delighted to partner with IT Sligo on this innovative initiative.”