Lia O'Sullivan
Ireland, France and Germany Reaffirm Universities’ Role in strengthening EU wide collaboration through European University Alliances
27 May 2025: This pan-European conference held in Dublin will highlight the deep cross-national collaboration with Irish, French and German partners in shaping a more integrated, competitive, and inclusive European Higher Education Area. All three countries have shown strong commitment to the European University Alliances Initiative which has been underscore...
IUA Future of Ireland Hybrid Event – with Minister James Lawless May 12th
Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oxoSF9Zcvc...
Building Ireland’s Competitiveness and Innovation Capacity through a Research Infrastructure and Talent Development Fund – Submission
The Research Infrastructure and Talent Development Fund is critical for restoring Ireland’s competitiveness in research and innovation, particularly against key European and global competitors. Ireland is falling behind in innovation performance. Between 2016 and 2023, Ireland’s innovation growth lagged at just 2.3%, well below the EU average of 8.5%, pu...
Viva Voce Examinations_Guidance for Examiners and Supports for Doctoral Candidates_2025
The IUA Deans of Graduate Studies Group has developed guidance for Examiners of Viva Voce Examinations and supports for Doctoral Candidates....
Hosting Agreement Scheme: New Data Shows Increase in Companies using this Fast-Track to Hire Top Non-EU/EEA Researchers
More and more companies are tapping into Ireland’s Hosting Agreement Scheme to hire top-tier non-EU/EEA researchers. According to recent data from EURAXESS Ireland, the number of accredited businesses using this fast-track migration option has surged in the past three years, with 25 new companies signing up. In total, 80 institutions — including universi...
Three Minute Thesis – IUA National Final 2024
On the 13th November 2024 IUA held the National ‘Three Minute Thesis’ Competition and what a thrilling event it was....
IUA calls for investment in future talent and innovation to be prioritised by political parties
(31 October, Dublin) The Irish Universities Association has called on all political parties to commit to a sustained investment in higher education and research. Launching its Manifesto for Future Talent & Innovation, the IUA has urged political parties to secure the future supply of high-skills talent and underpin national competitiveness by making key ...
Budget 2025 – Multi-annual higher education funding package welcomed by universities
01.10.24: The IUA has welcomed the package of funding measures for higher education announced in today’s Budget. The provision of additional core funding, rising from €50m in 2025 to €150m extra by 2029 under the Funding the Future process, will enable the universities to invest in the necessary staff and supports to underpin the continued delivery of ...
Joint call for ‘step-change in investment in higher education and research
25 September 2024: Five organisations representing students, universities, business and academic research have joined forces to call on government and opposition parties to make a step-change in investment in higher education and research. The call coincides with a pre-election hustings debate featuring representatives of all of the main political parties on...
IUA Pre-Budget Submission Media Release
28.06.24: The Irish Universities Association (IUA) in its Pre-Budget Submission has urged the Government to accelerate the closure of the funding gap in higher education. The €307m funding shortfall identified by Government in May 2022 has been exacerbated by a failure to provide sufficient funds for national pay awards agreed by Government. Almost all of ...
IUA Future of Ireland – New Horizons for Research & Innovation April 18th
IUA Future of Ireland – New Horizons for Research & Innovation When: April 18th 12:30-13:30 (in-person and zoom webinar) Where: Alex Hotel, Dublin 2...
IUA Future of Ireland – Why Universities Matter for Foreign Direct Investment – Feb 13th 2024
IUA Future of Ireland – Why Universities Matter for Foreign Direct Investment When: Tuesday Feb 13th 12:30-13:30 (in-person and zoom webinar) Where: Odyssey Room, Ground Floor, Alex Hotel Michael Lohan, CEO of the IDA Ireland, gave his views on why Irish universities are a key attraction for companies seeking to invest and locate here. He was joined by ...
‘My Uni Life’ returns to our screens for a second season as cameras capture life across a busy year on campus
The Irish Universities Association (IUA) has partnered once again with RTÉ and New Decade to create a second series of My Uni Life. Filmed over the course of academic year 2022/23, this nine-part series, provides a unique and authentic insight into campus life and the experiences of students and staff across the country, as they navigate the challenges and ...
DARE and HEAR Application Information Sessions – Jan 13th – view Recordings
The DARE Application Information Session 2024 took place on Saturday 13 January at 10am-11.30am. We recommend watching the DARE presentation on accesscollege.ie This presentation will give you a good understanding of DARE and how to apply to it. To view the recording go to accesscollege.ie website...
Applications are now open for the 1916 Bursary 2023-24 across 21 Irish Colleges and Universities
The 1916 Bursary is a financial award co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) and aims to encourage participation and success by third-level students who are most socio-economically disadvantaged and from groups most under-represented in h...
Studentvolunteer.ie to maximise impact by expanding to third level institutions nationwide
Online student volunteering platform to be led by University of Limerick, scaling up its offering as part of new phase 18,000 students on average already engaged in volunteering, with economic value of close to €30m per year International Volunteer Day is celebrated on December 5 An online student volunteering platform boasting 20,000 students among its ...
Lianne Shanley from Trinity College Dublin named as winner of inaugural IUA Three Minute Thesis National Final
Participants are challenged to present their research in three minutes, using only one slide, to a non-specialist audience. Entrants must distil their niche subjects and intensive research into bite-sized presentations that will inform and entertain the general public. Today’s competition saw researchers compete from Dublin City University, Maynooth Univer...
IUA Future of Ireland – Universities as Centres of Growth and Development with Holly Cairns T.D.
IUA Future of Ireland – Universities as Centres of Growth and Development When: Thursday Oct 19th 12:30-13:30 Where: Cedar Suite, University Club, UCD. Online and in-person. Holly Cairns T.D, Leader of the Social Democrats, will give her views on how universities can drive the future development of Ireland. Panellists John McGrane and Martha Ní Riada, joi...
Budget 2024 – Positive funding move welcomed but falls well short of government promise. Unlocking €1.5 billion National Training Fund surplus a missed opportunity
The IUA welcomes a number of aspects of Budget 2024 for higher education including the measures to reduce the costs for students and the provisions to fund the cost of government-controlled pay awards. However, the €60m increase in core funding for universities falls well short of the government’s own promise. In addition, the failure to unlock the growi...
IUA reflects on the legacy of Chuck Feeney on the occasion of his death
As we mark the passing of Charles “Chuck” Feeney, we reflect on his work and that of Atlantic Philanthropies and its profound impact on the island of Ireland, north and south. Through the opportunities they provided, Chuck Feeney and Atlantic Philanthropies have left a huge legacy in Ireland and our universities value and remember his transformative co...
Call on government to honour funding promise to deliver much-needed skills – Read Letter and Ask for action
The Presidents and Chairs of the Governing Authorities of our member universities have called on the government to urgently address the funding crisis in higher education. In their letter to An Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Ministers, they point to the growing skills deficit across all sectors while €1.5 billion remains unspent in the National Training Fund. Un...
Higher Education students and management roll out the #UnmuteConsent Campaign to drive a positive conversation about consent, and to end sexual violence and harassment on campuses.
02.10.2023: Sexual Violence and Harassment (SVH) is a problem on higher education campuses and is under-reported. The #UnmuteConsent campaign seeks to mobilise the student community to make a difference, by speaking out, by enhancing their own knowledge about consent, and ultimately, by challenging and changing behaviours. Through this digital campaign, we a...
Digital Investment in Universities to support Enhanced Teaching & Learning and Research Performance – Submission to DFHERIS & HEA
The scale of investment required for Digital Transformation is significant. In the recent EY/Times Higher Education Report ‘How are you balancing the books for a digital future?’, the scale of investment required was compared by an Australian university to “being the equivalent of spend on one new major building every 5 years”. We are, therefore, pro...
Launch of MicroCreds.ie
Hundreds of short, flexible, university-accredited courses from seven leading universities on MicroCreds.ie platform with the aim of increasing lifelong learning in Ireland. 12th July 2023 – The Irish Universities Association (IUA) has today launched a new national platform for short, flexible and university-accredited courses, MicroCreds.ie. The website...
IUA Opening Statement to Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science – on Pre Legislation Scrutiny for Research Bill
IUA Opening Statement to Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science – on Pre Legislation Scrutiny for Research Bill...
The Role of a National Research Funding Agency: views of Mari Sundli Tveit, Chief Executive of the Research Council of Norway – May 10th 1pm
On the 10th May at 1pm Mari Sundli Tveit, Chief Executive of the Research Council of Norway, shared her views on the role of a national funder in supporting the great social mission of the research & innovation system, and the part it plays in development by promoting and enabling change and sustainability, not least through groundbreaking research. Venu...
MSCA Ireland Doctoral Networks Promotional Event April 26th 11:00-12.30
Date: Tuesday 26th April 2023 Time: 11:00 – 12:30 (Irish time) The Irish Marie Skłodowska-Curie Office hosted a webinar on the MSCA Doctoral Networks call 2023. The call is open to all disciplines and sectors and funds consortia of organisations – universities, research institutions, businesses, SMEs, charities, etc. – to implement doc...
IUA Future of Ireland Hybrid Event: How Universities can Contribute to National Development. View Recording
Venue: Tangent, Business School, Trinity College, Pearse St, Dublin 2 On the 30th March 2023 Minister Paschal Donohoe shared his views on how universities, as generators of the high skills talent pipeline and centres of research and innovation, can contribute to the development of the economy and the country in the face of the challenges ahead....
Irish Universities among the most constrained on staffing in Europe – IUA Press Release 02.03.23
Upcoming EUA autonomy scorecard for higher education systems across Europe includes latest findings on Ireland’s university sector. Ireland’s university sector ranks poorly on staffing autonomy when compared with university sectors across Europe. Our universities face greater restrictions and lack of flexibility when it comes to staff recruitment, s...
IUA Seminar/Webinar – Why Autonomy Matters for University Success – March 2nd 8.30am
March 2nd 8.30am-9.30am In person / zoom Venue: Dun Library, Royal College of Physicians, Kildare St, D2 Findings from the European Universities Association survey on autonomy across more than 30 countries will be previewed in Ireland in advance of their international launch on March 7th. The EUA Autonomy Scorecard shows that Ireland still...
StudentSurvey.ie 2022 results published
Of those surveyed, 63% said they had not seriously considered withdrawing from their programme. However, the data show that slightly more than one in three (37%) have seriously considered withdrawing. In 2019-2020, the non-progression rate from first year undergraduate to second year undergraduate reported by the Higher Education Authority was 9% (HEA, 20...
MSCA COFUND Webinar 11th Oct 2022
The Irish Marie Skłodowska-Curie Office is hosting a webinar on the MSCA COFUND 2022 call on October 11th 2-3pm. COFUND is a co-financing scheme for doctoral and postdoctoral programmes. COFUND promotes sustainable training and international, interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral mobility and spreads the MSCA’s best practices by promoting high stan...
€34 million EU funding boost for early-career researchers in Ireland
05.10.22: Irish research organisations secured an impressive €34 million in funding from the European Union to support early-career researchers. The funding was competitively won through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) under Horizon Europe, the EU’s mechanism for funding research and innovation projects from 2021 to 2027. Success in the MSCA c...
Higher Education students and management jointly launch the #UnmuteConsent Campaign to drive a positive conversation on consent, and to end sexual violence and harassment.
03.10.22: Sexual Violence and Harassment is a problem on higher education campuses and is under-reported. All higher education institutions are currently implementing a wide range of measures within the National Consent Framework (Safe, Respectful, Supportive and Positive: Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment in Irish Higher Education Institutions). To help...
Funding gap measures in Budget 2023 disappointing – Other measures for higher education welcomed
27.09.22 While there are many positive elements to Budget 2023 for higher education, the amount provided for the deficit in core funding at €40m is very disappointing. This represents just 13% of the €307m gap in funding identified by government. We need government to accelerate their response to the funding crisis in the sector in line with the commitme...
IUA UNIVERSITIES and SMEs – WAYS TO ENGAGE Event
On Tuesday September 13th IUA and Enterprise Ireland in collaboration with the careers teams of the 8 IUA universities hosted a highly informative event for SMEs. Event Aims: To strengthen employer understanding of the graduate support structure in different universities and the role of the careers teams. To encourage greater dialogue between EI client comp...
Students and third level colleges make joint call for accelerated action on Leaving Cert Reform – IUA, USI, THEA Joint Statement 07.09.22
07.09.22: The USI has joined together with the IUA and THEA to call on the Minister for Education to accelerate plans to reform the Leaving Cert. The call comes following the 3-week delay in results this year and the knock-on impact on students going to third level. This has exacerbated the problems with student accommodation and inflated grades, resulting...
View Recording – IUA Future of Ireland Webinar: Writing the next chapter for Research & Innovation in Ireland – June 9th 2.30pm
This decade in Irish history is proving transformative for higher education research and innovation. With the formation of the new government department bringing HE and R&I together for the first time, the launch of Horizon Europe, the opportunities presented in “Funding the Future” framework and the ambitions set out in “Impact 2030”, we are now...
IUA Statement 18th May – Ambitious national strategy on research & innovation warmly welcomed
18.05.22: The Irish Universities Association (IUA) welcomes the launch today by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, of the National Research & Innovation Strategy, Impact 2030. The comprehensive approach outlined today is a clear recognition of the importance of investment in research to solv...
Rising to the Sustainability Challenge – Panel Bios
MC Dr. Cara Augustenborg – Assistant Professor in Landscape Studies and Environmental Policy, UCD Cara has a Doctorate in Environmental Science and Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She received both a Fulbright Scholarship and Walsh Fellowship to conduct her doctoral research at Teagasc from 2003-2007. Since then, she ...
IUA Statement – Long-awaited government decision on investment in third-level education welcome – Immediate action on closing investment gap in Budget 2023 now critical
The Irish Universities Association (IUA) welcomes the approval by Government of a plan to further invest in third-level education by addressing the persistent and material funding shortfall. The clear acknowledgement by Government that the sector is currently underfunded by €307m per year represents an important milestone. The IUA commends the Minister and...
IUA Statement on the announcement on Leaving Cert reform and the publication of the NCCA Report – 29 March
The Irish Universities Association welcomes the long-awaited announcement on Leaving Cert reform and the publication of the NCCA Report. We look forward to engaging with the Department and other stakeholders as regards the implementation of the proposed changes. Noting the core principle of ‘students at the centre’ of the reform plan, we urge the Ministe...
IUA Statement March 2nd: Irish universities deplore invasion of Ukraine and offer support to affected staff and students
The Irish Universities Association and its member universities stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and with the students and staff of Ukraine’s universities. As a member of the European University Association, representing over 850 universities across Europe, including 26 member universities in Ukraine, we join our European colleagues in strongl...
IUA Future of Ireland Webinar: Graduate Talent and Research Capacity underpinning Economic Growth 9th Feb 12:00-13:00
On February 9th 2022 MC Shane Coleman led a discussion on the key role Universities have in shaping the future development of our country and economy, both through their work in nurturing the graduate talent pool and in providing the capacity for cutting-edge research for the knowledge economy. Universities have and are making a major contribution to the nat...
IUA welcomes HEA announcement of funding to support Irish participation in the European University alliances
04.02.22: The IUA and its member universities welcome the Higher Education Authority’s announcement today of funding to support Irish participation in the European University alliances. The European University Alliances are a flagship EU initiative to build the European Education Area and encourage greater cooperation across Europe in teaching, researc...
IUA welcomes publication of HEA Reports on the National Surveys of Staff and Student Experiences of Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment
27.01.22: IUA universities welcome the publication of the HEA survey reports on Staff and Student Experiences of Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment. These reports are an important step in building the evidence base in relation to sexual violence and harassment, to identify areas for improvement, and against which to assess the impact of targeted initiativ...
IUA Release 20th Dec: Change Makers: Irish universities’ most innovative and transformative research projects solve real-life problems
• Series charts the work of university researchers and the lives of the people they help as they develop technologies and treatments for diabetes, pre-eclampsia, compulsive behaviours and maths anxiety and tackle societal challenges in areas like education, equality, inclusion and the environment. December 20 2021: The Irish Universities Association has pa...
Statement 6th Dec – IUA welcomes the announcement of €9m funding for the provision of free antigen tests for third level students
The IUA welcomes the announcement of €9m funding for the provision of free antigen tests for third level students. This builds on the Uni-Cov project already in place in a number of universities. Universities will now work to source supplies of testing kits as soon as possible. We also welcome the announcement of an information campaign by government on th...
IUA welcomes the launch of the OECD Skills Strategy Project for Ireland
IUA welcomes the launch of the OECD Skills Strategy Project for Ireland. The universities are key players and active partners in Ireland’s skills architecture and ecosystem. IUA looks forward to engaging with the OECD Skills Strategy Project as it progresses. This is an important and timely opportunity to look collectively at how skills are developed, reco...
IUA Future of Ireland Webinar: Grand Challenges for Irish Research 17 Nov 12:30-13:30
Given the critical role research will play in the national recovery and rebuilding Ireland’s future, and in driving forward transformation in our socio-economic systems across Europe, the Nov 17th Future of Ireland event focused on how research can benefit society as a whole. As you know, Ireland, and our partners across Europe, face significant socio-econ...
MSCA COFUND Webinar 8th Nov – View the Recording
The Irish Marie Skłodowska-Curie Office (IMSCO) hosted a webinar on the MSCA COFUND call 2021 – a co-financing scheme for doctoral and postdoctoral programmes at regional, national or international level. COFUNDs aim to spread the best practices of the MSCA fostering excellence in researchers’ training, mobility and career development. The event was...
IUA Statement: Budget 2022 funding for higher education welcome but it’s not enough.
The investment in higher education and research announced in Budget 2022, while welcome, is not sufficient to address the core funding deficit in the sector. The provision of dedicated funding for extra places and for student supports is welcome. However, a large proportion of the remaining funds for the sector will be absorbed by ‘stand still’ funding r...
IUA Statement 05.10.21: NDP Funding for higher education a step in the right direction but more needed
The announcement of some additional funding for capital infrastructure in higher education in the revised National Development Plan today is welcomed. However, the overall envelope of funding of €500m, rising to €652m in 2025, is considerably less than what is required by a sector that has been under-funded for many years. The IUA and its member universi...
As students return to campus, Higher Education Institutions launch the #UnmuteConsent Campaign to drive a positive conversation on consent, and to end sexual violence and harassment.
Sexual Violence and Harassment is a problem on higher education campuses and is under-reported. All higher education institutions are currently implementing a wide range of measures within the National Consent Framework. To help drive awareness and encourage conversation on consent the Higher Education Institutions, their Representative Bodies IUA and THEA, ...
IUA Pre-Budget Submission: Investment in Higher Education and Research Critical to National Recovery – Budget 2022 must deliver first phase of Funding Reform with €900m package
15.09.21: The Irish Universities Association (IUA) has called on the government to substantially increase investment in higher education and research as part of the post-COVID, post-Brexit national recovery. The IUA has outlined a comprehensive range of measures in a €900m+ package including €418m in extra core funding and a €490m capital expenditure p...
Vous êtes un doctorant en Irlande ? Vous parlez français ? Alors prenez part à ce concours qui se tiendra en ligne le 3 Septembre 2021 !
Nouveauté: Le lauréat du premier prix du concours aura la chance de participer à la finale internationale à Paris à la fin du mois de Septembre 2021 ! Participation: Chaque candidat doit remplir et soumettre le formulaire d’inscription ci-dessous après avoir informé ses tuteurs et ses responsables. La date limite d’envoie des formulaires est fixé...
Doctoral students – register now for the “Ma thèse en 180 secondes” competition on Sept 3rd – win a place in the international final in Paris!
Ready to face the challenge? New this Year: The 1st prize winner will get a €300 voucher offered by IUA and a fully paid trip to Paris to compete in the international final of the MT 180 competition at the end of September 2021! Participation: All participants must be doctoral students, presenting their thesis dissertation subject in French in 3 minutes (...
Statement 21 July: IUA welcomes the announcement of €105 million in funding for third level to reopen on-site in September in line with public health advice
This further package of Covid support funding for higher education is warmly welcomed by the IUA and its member universities. It provides the resources necessary for the additional spending required arising from Covid and to prepare for the on-site return to campus this autumn. We welcome the continued support of the Minister and the government for the safe ...
IUA/THEA Release 21.07.21: Minister Harris welcomes EUA report commending Irish higher education institutions for ‘professionalising’ the delivery of postgraduate research education
A new international report has commended Irish higher education institutions for ensuring both the standard of awards, and the quality of student experience, by ‘professionalising’ the delivery of postgraduate research education and training in Ireland. The report was published by an international expert team within the European University Association (E...
IUA Submission on HEA Act Reform to the Oireachtas Education Committee 06.07.21
Irish Times 6th July New legislation must be backed up with better funding for third level, committee told University Times 6th July Universities’ Autonomy Must be Protected Under Governance Bill, Says IUA University Times 6th July Keep Councillors on College Boards, Oireachtas Education Committee Hears ...
IUA welcomes €40m Shared Island fund to enhance strategic collaboration in research and innovation across the island of Ireland
05.07.21: The IUA warmly welcomes the announcement today by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD to invest €40m in funding to enhance strategic collaboration in research and innovation across the island of Ireland. This funding will help strengthen social, economic, cu...
IUA Future of Ireland Webinar: Mary Lou McDonald T.D on her vision for the future of Higher Education in Ireland – June 21 2021 (View Recording)
In the past two years, the IUA’s Future of Ireland series has hosted leaders from across Irish society. On 21 June, we were delighted to welcome Mary Lou McDonald T.D, President of Sinn Fein to our next Webinar. Educated in Trinity College Dublin, the University of Limerick and Dublin City University, she is no stranger to the sector. We heard Mary Lou McD...
15.06.21 – IUA Welcomes Cabinet Approval and Publication of a Plan for the Safe Return to Campus in the Autumn
15.06.21: The IUA warmly welcomes the publication of the Plan for a safe return for further and higher education and research in 2021/22 by Minister Simon Harris. Staff and students in our universities eagerly anticipate a safe return to as comprehensive a range of on-campus activities as possible for the next academic year, including large scale teaching. O...
IUA Future of Ireland Webinar: An Taoiseach Micheál Martin on The role of third-level education and research in the knowledge economy – May 27 2021 (View Recording)
Two years ago, at the inaugural IUA Future of Ireland event, Micheál Martin T.D and Leader of Fianna Fáil put forward his plan for a new Department for Higher Education. As we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic, he joined us again, now as Taoiseach on May 27th to outline his vision for the role of universities and other third level institutions in Irish soc...
IUA Release 17.05.21 – Human Rights & EDI Training a key priority for the Irish University Sector – Launch of EDI in HE Programme for staff
17.05.21: The Irish Universities Equality Network is today launching the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in Higher Education eLearning programme, as a successor programme to LEAD (Living Equality and Diversity), which was developed by the IUA Equality Network in 2012. This new EDI programme will involve a blended approach to generating mainstream sta...
IUA Release 12.05.21 – TU Dublin to join the Irish Universities Association
12.05.21: The Irish Universities Association (IUA) is pleased to announce that Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) has agreed to become a member of the organisation which represents Irish universities. TU Dublin joins the seven existing IUA members at a time of significant change in Irish higher education. The members of the enlarged IUA now account ...
IUA Release 12.05.21 – IUA calls for investment and support in nursing and midwifery education
12th May 2021 – To mark International Nurses Day 2021 the Irish Universities Association (IUA) Heads of Nursing & Midwifery Group is highlighting the need for increased investment in nursing and midwifery education as demand for course places increases during the pandemic. The demand comes as Ireland’s higher education sector braces itself for a demo...
Campus Engage Webinar_April 23rd 11am: STILL CONNECTING – Doing Engaged Research & Innovation Online
Friday, 23 April, 2021 11am – 12noon COVID-19 has set many challenges for Irish researchers; particularly those who work with the public, policy makers or patients to address Ireland’s complex societal challenges – climate change, gender equality, housing, health and wellbeing etc. This webinar will showcase how engaged research teams have a...
21.04.21: Irish Universities among “world’s best for sustainability” in THE Impact Rankings 2021
Irish universities are among the “world’s best for sustainability” in the THE Impact Rankings 2021, with UCC achieving an overall top 10 placement in the world’s best list. The THE Impact Rankings assess the contributions made by universities worldwide to solving some of the greatest challenges of our time through progress towards the United Nations ...
IUA Statement 20.04.21 – IUA Universities plan for return to campus
IUA Statement 20.04.21 – IUA Universities plan for return to campus The Presidents of the member universities of the IUA welcome the recent comments by Minister Simon Harris on seeking to maximise the return of students to campus in the autumn. The universities are united in their commitment to work towards a return to campus for the next academic yea...
Op Ed Prof Anne Scott 11 April – Tackling Sexual Violence and Harassment at Higher Level Colleges Requires a Coherent and Substantive Approach
The Union of Students in Ireland and the Active* Consent Programme at NUI Galway completed an extensive Sexual Experiences Survey of over 6,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students across Irish higher education in 2020. The findings were stark and shocking. 52% of females had been subjected to unwanted sexual touching, attempted or completed penetration s...
Speakers for Campus Engage Webinar: STILL CONNECTED – Doing Engaged Research Online
Mary-Clare O’Sullivan is currently Secretary to the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality. Over a 20-year civil service career based mainly in the Department of the Taoiseach, her roles have included head of the Economic Policy Unit and head of the International Unit. She was also Secretary to the Innovation Taskforce and led the cross-Departmental Regul...
29.03.21 – Two Irish University Students selected to join group of 40 students worldwide for International Leaders Programme
University College Cork master’s student Maria Torres and NUI Galway PhD student Cameron Keighron were two of just 40 students worldwide selected to participate in the Next Generation Leaders Programme run by the international Talloires Network of Engaged Universities. The Programme aims to strengthen capacity for students to have societal impact thr...
Media Release 26.03.21: Campus Engage congratulates NUI Galway’s Lorraine Tansey on her appointment to the National Volunteering Strategy Implementation Group
26.03.21: IUA and Campus Engage warmly congratulates Lorraine Tansey, NUI Galway on her appointment as the higher education representative on the newly established National Volunteering Strategy Implementation Group. This group is led by Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD who published the National...
IUA Release 22nd March: Irish Universities launch Online Graduate Toolkit to support International Students by providing them with Career Management Skills
The seven Universities in the IUA have joined forces to create Employable You, an online interactive guide which provides practical advice and tips to international students, helping them to manage their career throughout their working lives. This graduate toolkit will facilitate students as they think about their careers after graduation and will supplement...
IUA Statement 03.03.21 – Universities unite in plea to students to abide by COVID guidelines and condemn unacceptable behaviour of minority who flout the guidelines
03.03.21: The universities represented by the IUA thank the vast majority of students who are abiding by COVID guidelines and reiterate their appeal to all students to continue to abide by the guidelines and, especially, to avoid congregation. This follows further reports of students being involved in public gatherings in Limerick in contravention of guideli...
IUA Release 01.03.21 – Dr Lynn Ramsey has been appointed Programme Lead for a Multi-Campus Micro-Credentials Project for the Irish University Sector
Dr Lynn Ramsay has been appointed as Programme Lead for the Multi-Campus Micro-Credentials Project, based at the Irish Universities Association. Through the MC2 project, the IUA universities will lead the establishment of a national framework for ECTS-bearing, quality-assured micro-credentials, the first in Europe. This project will facilitate the developmen...
24 Feb 2021 IUA & THEA Release: Grace Edge is appointed Project Manager for new national initiative aimed at realising the potential of Recognition of Prior Learning and Lifelong Learning in higher education.
This national initiative is a collaboration between the Institutes of Technology, the Universities, and Technological Universities, and will build a consistent and coherent approach to recognition of prior learning (RPL) within and across the entire public higher education (HE) sector. Funded under the Irish Government’s Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pill...
IUA Future of Ireland Webinar: Ireland in a changing Europe with Commissioner Mairead McGuinness – 18th Feb View Recording
On Feb 18th Commissioner Mairead McGuinness delivered a keynote on Europe in 2021 and beyond as it grapples with the impact of Brexit and Covid. Missed out? Don’t worry the recording of the event is available below. Questions asked and discussed included : Can the EU overcome a post-Covid recession? What’s needed to drive employment and growth? How c...
29.01.21: Equitable remuneration for early career researchers welcomed by the IUA as Minister announces €3.2m investment in the IRC
The IUA welcomes today’s announcement by Minister Simon Harris TD, of an investment of €3.2m in 2021 to address the funding gap for Irish Research Council (IRC) postgraduate students and post-doctoral researchers. IRC postgraduate students will now receive a stipend similar to that offered by other national funders. For IRC postdoctoral researchers, this...
IUA Press Release 27.01.21 – Temporary changes to the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) makes application process easier to complete for Leaving Cert students facing extended school closures
Recognising the difficulty applicants and school staff are facing due to extended periods of secondary school closure, temporary changes have been made to the 2021 DARE process to help students to make their applications. To ensure supporting documentation reaches CAO in time for the March 15th deadline, schools will now be able to electronically sign off st...
IUA Statement 20.01.21: Higher Education Research & Development Survey welcome but highlights the need for a step change in research investment
The IUA welcomes the publication of the Higher Education Research & Development Survey (HERD) by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD. This latest HERD survey clearly shows the need for a step change in research and innovation investment in Ireland given the fall in our research spend rankings from 14th to 23rd...
DARE HEAR release 11.12.20: Greater numbers of Higher Education places accepted by students with disabilities and students facing socioeconomic disadvantage in 2020.
11.12.20: The DARE and HEAR Annual Report for 2020 shows that almost one in five students who applied to the CAO were assessed for DARE and/or HEAR eligibility with 11,576 Higher Educations places offered made to these applicants. The numbers accepting offers increased by 22% for students with disabilities and by 15% for those experiencing socioeconomic disa...
IUA Statement 27th Nov: Priority for universities for the next term is the safety of staff and students and maximising the student experience
As the country prepares to adapt to further changes in the public health guidelines, the universities represented by the IUA are now completing the process of communicating with their staff and students on plans for the next semester. All universities have remained open throughout Level 5, albeit that the majority of teaching has been done online while resea...
IUA Future of Ireland Webinar: The Inclusive University: moving access, inclusion and diversity from the margins in higher education 26 Nov – View the Recording
As a follow up to World Access To Higher Education Day we hosted a discussion on the infrastructure and culture change needed to make ‘the Inclusive University’ a reality across the university sector in Ireland building on the success of DARE/HEAR and other mainstreamed access and disability initiatives. How do we make inclusion a collective resp...
Media Release 27 Oct 2020: IUA & RTE 5-part documentary series shines a light on seven university students helping to change the face of higher education.
The IUA has partnered with RTÉ to create My Uni Life, a five-part series which follows the lives of seven students at various stages of their university journey. Whether it’s dealing with the challenges of having a disability, the stereotypes associated with socially disadvantaged backgrounds or having the courage to go to university at a later stage in l...
IUA Future of Ireland Webinar: The pivotal role of universities for future skills and innovation – view the recording
On Oct 23rd 1-2pm we were joined by a panel of experts from across higher education, industry and government for a discussion on the critical importance of a top-quality higher education system producing a supply of work-ready graduates and leading our research and innovation network to remain a core ingredient of Ireland’s attractiveness as an FDI destina...
IUA Statement 13 Oct: Some positives for higher education in Budget 2021 but many missed opportunities
The provision of €50m extra supports for students and the confirmation of ongoing funding for the extra 5,000 places in higher education in addition to further demographically-driven places next year are welcome features of Budget 2021. The capital funding under the NDP and an extra €15m for upgrade works and equipment is also welcome. Likewise, the €1...
IUA statement 12 Oct: IUA welcome announcement of funding to support researchers impacted by the pandemic.
IUA welcome the announcement of nearly €39million in funding for the seven IUA universities to support contract researchers and research students whose work has been disrupted by the pandemic. The funding was secured by Minister of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Harris as part of the €168 million package of support for fur...
IUA Statement 9th Oct: IUA welcomes the announcement of €300,000 annual funding for Gender Equality Enhancement and a call for 15 new SALI posts
The IUA welcomes the launch of the Gender Equality Enhancement Fund of €300,000 annually and the approval of the second cycle of 15 SAL Initiative posts. Our universities are fully committed to working with Minister Simon Harris and the HEA to further promote gender equality across the sector as part of a broad-based equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)...
IUA Press Release 5th Oct – IUA breaks new ground with €12.3 million MC2 Micro-Credentials project under HCI Pillar 3
The IUA is delighted to have been awarded €12.3 million from Pillar 3 of the Human Capital Initiative (HCI) to establish a Multi-Campus Micro-Credentials (MC2) system across the seven universities over the next five years. Through the MC2 project, the IUA universities will establish a coherent national framework for ECTS-bearing micro-credentials, a system...
IUA Press Release 5 Oct – Irish Universities Association Publishes Partners in the Recovery Budget Submission to Government.
The IUA has published its 2021 budget submission to Government. The submission, entitled Partners in the Recovery, underpins the key role that universities will have in enabling the national recovery. The IUA seeks a sustained investment programme from Government to enable the university sector to deal with the financial challenges of Covid and to address ...
IUA Future of Ireland Webinar: Universities as Partners in the Transformation of Food and Agriculture with keynote speaker Patrick Coveney CEO Greencore – 30th Sept 1pm
On Wednesday September 30th we were joined by a panel of agri-food experts for a discussion on how a top-quality higher education system produces the talent and leading research and innovation base for the agri-food sector. If you missed the webinar don’t worry, you can catch the full discussion and read about our panel below....
IUA Statement 25.09.20: All universities to introduce enhanced measures in response to increased Covid-19 incidence
Due to rising Covid-19 numbers across the country, at the request of government, all HEIs will now move to the enhanced public health protection measures applied in Dublin-based HEIs last week. While the safety of staff and students has always been a priority of the new academic year, the focus of the next 2-3 weeks is on limiting the cross country movement ...
Campus Engage will partner with European Research Council in Engaged Research Webinar Wed 23rd Sept 8am for European Commission Research & Innovation Days
Campus Engage have been invited to partner with the European Research Council in an Engaged Research webinar as part of the European Research and Innovation Days. This European Commission annual flagship event brings together 25,000 online participants – policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs and citizens to debate and shape the future of research an...
IUA Statement 18.09.20 – Dublin universities introduce enhanced measures in response to increased Covid-19 incidence
The universities in Dublin have agreed a set of enhanced measures in response to a request from government / NPHET to deal with the rising incidence of Covid-19 in the county. All universities already have detailed plans in place for the safe re-opening of campus over the next two weeks. Arising from the request from government, Dublin universities have made...
Universities pull out all the stops to ease pressure on students – Highest ever level of 1st round CAO offers for top 3 preferences
The seven universities represented by the IUA have all increased the number of places available to first-year students to a record level across all programmes, in response to the demand for places through the CAO. Over 1,350 of the additional 2,225 places have been made available by the universities as part of a coordinated response to the exceptional circum...
IUA welcomes additional university places announced by Minister Harris
The IUA welcomes the additional 1250 higher education places, in addition to the detail on the Leaving Certificate Calculated Grades process announced today by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris T.D. and Minister for Education Norma Foley T.D. In relation to the additional university places the Irish Uni...
IUA Statement: Covid package will stabilise the higher education and research system
The €168 million funding package and the practical guidance offered as part of the Further and Higher Education Roadmap announced by Minister Simon Harris today (22.07.20) is warmly welcomed by the IUA and its member universities. The fund provides much-needed stability for higher education arising from the Covid-induced financial shocks. In addition to re...
IUA supports the securing of a strong outcome for research in the EU-UK future relationship: Reaching an agreement on UK participation in Horizon Europe
The EU and UK have been discussing UK participation in Union Programmes, including Horizon Europe, as part of the negotiations on a future EU-UK relationship. It is encouraging that both sides have committed to the principle of UK participation in their mandates, recognising that collaboration between the UK and the EU in the framework programmes strengthens...
Universities plan for safe return of students while noting disappointment with late grades
The universities represented by the IUA are now revising plans for the safe induction of new students to campus following the announcement that Calculated Grades will not now be released until September 7th. While acknowledging the unique challenges faced by the Department of Education & Skills on processing results arising from Covid-19, the universitie...
IUA welcomes new government announcement that an independent Department of Higher Education, Innovation and Science is being formed.
The IUA warmly welcomes the announcement by Taoiseach Micheal Martin that a new independent Department of Higher Education, Innovation and Science is to be formed. Reacting to the announcement Jim Miley, Director General of IUA said: “This key change in government clearly recognises the central importance of universities and other third level institute...
IUA / NUI/ THEA / TU Dublin Statement: concerning students who have studied Leaving Certificate 2020 subjects outside school and who have not been able to obtain calculated grades in those subjects
25.06.20: The Irish Universities Association (IUA) joins with the National University of Ireland (NUI), the Technological Higher Education Association (THEA), and the Technological University Dublin on an agreed common approach in relation to students who have studied Leaving Certificate 2020 subjects outside school and who have not been able to obtain calcu...
IUA/RIA webinar: Evidence Informed Policy Making – the Role of Higher Education and Research – Tuesday 30 June – Recording Available
Join us on 30th June from 11.30-12.30 as, looking to the future, we ask, how do we continue to ensure that national policy continues to be informed by the best evidence? Not just in terms of the current crisis but more broadly for the challenges we face as a nation, including climate change, housing, healthcare and our economy. What processes and frameworks...
IUA/EDTL Webinar: Planning for effective remote teaching during Covid-19 – 24th June Presentations & Recording
24th June from 12.30-13.30 a discussion was held on planning for effective remote teaching during Covid-19 and the launch of the EDTL Approach: outlining a pathway for those adapting a module or programme, normally taught wholly or partly face-to-face, for the start of the new academic year. In March 2020 Irish University campuses closed and all teaching and...
HEA Graduate Outcomes Report shows high employment for University Graduates
The IUA welcomes the HEA’s Graduate Outcomes Survey looking at what the 2018 graduates from Irish higher education were doing 9 months after graduating. Year-on-year, the Graduate Outcomes Survey analysis continues to show that higher educational attainment levels are linked to higher employment rates. Responding to the results, Lewis Purser, IUA Director ...
Irish Universities perform well in QS Rankings 2021
The annual QS World University Rankings have just been released and our members universities have performed well with five improving their performance on last year’s result. Irish Universities performed strongest under the ‘international’faculty category and there were improvements for all universities under the ‘academic reputation&#...
IUA welcomes Government announcement on Leaving Certificate
The Irish Universities Association (IUA) welcomes today’s announcement that this year’s Leaving Certificate examinations will be replaced by a system of calculated grades. Given the current Covid-19 situation, we believe this is the best way to proceed, and that it now provides certainty to students in terms of ensuring state certification for the end of...
IUA launches details of how the university sector is supporting Ireland during the COVID-19 crisis
6th May 2020 – Today the Irish Universities Association is launching its publication ‘Irish Universities Help Fight The COVID-19 Pandemic’ which details how the sector has galvanised into immediate action, contributing to the national emergency response in every way possible as the pandemic developed. Across eight key areas the seven Irish universities...
Key Covid-19 Research Funding Announcement Welcomed by Universities
The Irish Universities Association welcomes the announcement of €5 million in funding grants to key COVID-19 research and innovation projects by Minister Heather Humphreys today. 26 ground-breaking research projects have been funded today (26th April), 21 by the Health Research Board/Irish Research Council and a further 5 by the Science Foundation Ireland/...
THE Impact Rankings 2020 – 5 IUA Universities in Top 100
In the Times Higher Education 2020 Impact Rankings published today all 7 IUA universities are placed in the top 200 out of 800 entries. These rankings seek to measure the social and economic impact of universities under the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals. Overall, Trinity was the highest ranked Irish university in 14th place across all 17 goals. U...
IUA welcomes clarity on revised plans for Leaving Certificate examinations
The Irish Universities Association (IUA) welcomes the announcement of the revised plans for holding this year’s Leaving Certificate examinations in late July/early August (subject to public health advice) and the clarity this brings for students, their families and their schools. Our universities will now work with the CAO and other stakeholders to ensure ...
Ireland’s Universities go online for exams
The seven universities represented by the IUA plan to complete arrangements for end of semester assessments within the next week. The primary objective of the universities is that students be able to successfully complete this semester and either graduate or progress to the next year of their studies. The universities recognise that this is a stressful tim...
Presidents of Irish Universities, Institutes of Technology and Higher Education Colleges contact up to 250,000 students to reinforce the critical importance of social distancing.
The Presidents of all of Ireland’s Universities and Institutes of Technology have today (Monday March 16th) issued a plea to every student to fully follow set guidelines on social distancing to protect themselves from infection and to slow down the spread of Covid 19 in order to protect others. The Presidents have issued a joint letter which is being email...
IUA Statement: Universities coordinate contingency planning for dealing with spread of Coronavirus
The seven universities represented by the IUA are implementing risk mitigation measures across our campuses and are developing detailed contingency plans to respond to the evolving Coronavirus crisis. Our absolute priority is to protect the health and well-being of our staff, students and visitors. The IUA has established a liaison group with senior repres...
30% Club Executive Education Scholarship Programme 2020
The 30% Club has established partnerships with a number of learning institutions, including the seven IUA member universities, to address the under-representation of women pursuing postgraduate management education, by offering scholarships aimed at women....
New leadership programme to support top leaders in Ireland’s universities
The Irish Universities Association has appointed Advance HE, a global not-for-profit higher education specialist, to deliver a new programme for aspiring and current executive leaders across its seven member universities. The IUA Universities Executive Leadership Programme, which will start in September this year, is funded by the Higher Education Authority ...
IUA, THEA and USI recommend using the National Training Fund to address higher education funding crisis
State Funding per student to third level institutions is now 40% less than it was a decade ago For the first time the representative bodies for the public higher education system – institutions and students – have united under a single cause. The IUA, THEA and the USI – representative bodies for universities, institutes of technology and studen...
Trinity College Dublin welcomes Cabinet approval of Grand Canal Innovation District Plan
Trinity College Dublin warmly welcomes the Government decision to support the development of a Grand Canal Innovation District (GCID) in Dublin. Cabinet support means that the vision of a new innovation campus spearheaded by Trinity and first outlined by the Taoiseach in July 2018 is now closer to becoming a reality. The cabinet accepted a report by the Gra...
Universities awarded 14 of 20 Posts approved under phase 1 of the Senior Academic Leadership Initiative
The IUA welcomes the approval of the first 20 posts under the SALI Initiative. We are particularly pleased that our seven member universities have each been awarded two positions in this first phase. IUA universities are fully committed to working with the Minister and the HEA to promote gender equality across the sector as part of a broad-based equality, di...
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions is Ireland’s top performer under the Horizon2020 framework programme
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) is Ireland’s top performer under Horizon2020, the European Commission’s research and innovation framework programme. MSCA is currently the area of highest drawdown nationally, with awards totalling €143m since the beginning of the programme in 2014. Ireland ranks second among European Union countries in terms ...
IUA launches initiative to enhance digital learning
07.11.19 – The Irish Universities Association (IUA) today officially launched the Enhancing Digital Capacity in Teaching and Learning in Irish Universities (EDTL) project as the final event of the World Conference on Online Learning. This is an ambitious three-year project, funded by the Higher Education Authority’s Innovation and Transformation Programm...
IUA – a signatory in the #EUInvestInKnowledge campaign
Fifteen European associations of universities have joined efforts to call for an ambitious Horizon Europe budget that would invest in excellent, cross-border research, education and innovation. Together, we represent more than 800 universities in Europe, committed to create a better future for Europe and its citizens. Signatories in Ireland include: Dublin ...
IUA Welcomes HEA’s new report on the Spatial and Socio-Economic Profile of HEIs in Ireland
The Irish Universities Association (IUA) welcomes HEA’s new report on the Spatial and Socio-Economic Profile of Higher Education Institutions in Ireland. The IUA has been using the same type of geocoded data as an indicator of socioeconomic background for the HEAR scheme for 10 years and has been advocating for others to use it for similar purposes. This r...
IUA calls for investment in research and capacity to prepare Ireland’s universities for Brexit
Uncertainty around the impact of Brexit puts future student fees and research collaboration at risk Today the Irish Universities Association (IUA) presented to the Seanad Special Select Committee on the impact of Brexit on Ireland’s universities and highlighted the risks and challenges facing research and higher education in Ireland. The IUA called on gove...
IUA Budget 2020 Response Statement
Cautious budgetary approach understandable but inadequate Growing funding crisis in universities is sowing the seeds of economic failure for Ireland Call for more funds from the National training Fund to be used in higher education The IUA welcomes the Budget provisions for higher education for known increases in student numbers in 2020 and pay provisions un...
IUA Response to Hugh Brady Speech
Jim Miley Director General of the Irish Universities Association today responded to comments made by Hugh Brady, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bristol’s at the British Irish Chamber event this morning, Jim Miley said: “Given President and Vice-Chancellor Brady’s experience in both the Irish and UK university systems his comments sh...
Speech on Higher Education (Funding & Brexit) by President of Bristol University Prof. Hugh Brady
University Funding (and Lack Of): A Tale of Two Cities Thank you for the invitation to address you this morning: I had the honour of taking up the role as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bristol in 2015. For those of you not familiar with the UK system, most universities are run by a Vice-Chancellor who is both the Chief Academic Officer a...
Irish Universities Present Stark Picture to Budgetary Oversight Committee
The Director General of the Irish Universities Association has told the Oireachtas Committee for Budgetary Oversight that the funding problem facing third level institutions will get “considerably worse” unless there is a significant step-up in investment to support our growing student base. Jim Miley, in opening remarks to the Budgetary Oversight Commit...
