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Irish universities and institutes got €442,000 each as part of an initiative to promote inter-institutional cooperation across the EU.
Seven Irish higher education institutions have received funding totalling more than €3m as part of the European Universities initiative.
This initiative focuses on building collaboration between higher education institutions across the EU, and funding has been given to institutions in Ireland that are working across seven different alliances.
Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University, NUI Galway, TU Dublin, IADT Dún Laoghaire, TU of the Shannon and University College Cork have each received funding of €442,000 from the Higher Education Authority.
One of the main ambitions of the European Universities initiative is to create a common European education area where students, staff and researchers can cooperate together at various partner institutions. These collaborations can take place physically and virtually, or a mix of the two.
The funding will strengthen the role of Irish partners in these alliances, as well as supporting student exchanges, researchers and engagement.
Ireland is already punching above its weight in terms of its participation in European Universities. Almost 50pc of Irish institutions are involved in alliances compared to just 10pc of Europe’s universities.
In total, there are around 280 higher education institutions from various EU member states involved in initiative, with alliances focused on themes from engineering to sustainable development.
Commenting on the awards, Dr Alan Wall, CEO of the Higher Education Authority in Ireland, said “The European Universities deepen cooperation between the participant institutions, their students and staff, and pool online and physical resources, courses, expertise, data and infrastructure. Working closer together will leverage their ability to tackle economic and societal challenges.”
Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris, TD, said the funding forms part of the Government’s commitment to an “ambitious vision of an innovative, globally competitive and attractive European Education Area and European Research Area.”
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