The aim of the Central Universities Research Office at IUA is to help develop and sustain a dynamic research environment in the Irish universities. The office enables a continued strengthening of research across the sector by pursuing common strategic policies and activities.
Finance and funding are key to the successful operation and development of universities in Ireland. The IUA, primarily through the University Chief Finance Officers Group, represents the sector on a broad range of finance and funding related issues.
Widening participation has been a priority for universities both individually and collectively in recent years. Universities have made significant strides in providing programmes aimed at achieving equity of access for learners of all backgrounds, identities and abilities. University Access Officers co-operate as an IUA group in co-ordinating actions and in developing best practice and the Registrars Group oversee strategic developments.
Sectoral teaching and learning issues and initiatives fall primarily within the remit of the IUA Registrars' Group. However, wider representative groups are formed from time to time to address specific issues as appropriate.
Higher education has had a transformative effect on Ireland. It has supported the continuing upgrading of our enterprise base, expanding Foreign Direct investment, innovative indigenous start-ups and international services. Development of a successful knowledge society needs to be characterised, not just by the achievement of high levels of advanced qualifications, but by the diffusion of knowledge and a widening of access to it, throughout the population.
The IUA is committed to assisting the universities in developing and implementing procedures and programmes for quality assurance and quality improvement. The Irish Universities Quality Board (IUQB) has been established on the initiative of the IUA.
The IUA works closely with the international offices of the seven universities on a number of issues including international student recruitment, marketing of the university sector internationally, joint participation at student fairs and exhibitions.
The IUA are working with the universities on the creation of Fourth Level Ireland - a university-led State investment programme which will transform graduate education. Irish Universities will double their numbers of PhD students and Post Doc researchers and new graduate schools will operate at the highest level across all disciplines.
Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)
The Strategic Innovation Fund, established by the Minister for Education and Science in 2006 and amounting to €300 million over 5 years is directed towards support for innovation in higher education institutions. The IUA has successfully sought funding under SIF for key sectoral initiatives, aligned to the universities' objectives in the Fourth Level Ireland proposal to Government.
