February NUI Galway shares Government funding for ENLIGHT University Alliance

Nine European research-intensive universities working to increase opportunities for students and to address societal challenges

NUI Galway has welcomed Government support for the ENLIGHT University Alliance, which will increase opportunities for students and staff to study, learn and work across Europe.

NUI Galway has secured funding of almost €445,000 from the Higher Education Authority (HEA) to progress the new pan-European teaching, learning and research initiative over the next two and half years.

ENLIGHT gives universities the platform to create a new type of “campus” where students and staff have increased opportunities for international study, training, teaching, research and sharing of services.

The University’s Vice President International, Professor Becky Whay said: “The ENLIGHT alliance exemplifies NUI Galway’s commitment to openness and diversity in our University, creating opportunities for students and staff, as well as for our renowned western region. 

“Our partnership in a European University Network puts us at the forefront of designing models for cross European collaboration, education, research and growth.” 

“This funding support from the HEA is critical to our ability to optimise the advantages that membership of this alliance opens up for us - for our students who wish to travel and learn throughout Europe and for our staff who wish to partner with fellow academics and professional services.”

The Government funding will strengthen NUI Galway’s participation in ENLIGHT and support student exchanges and staff collaboration and engagement. 

The ENLIGHT alliance includes - NUI Galway; Comenius University, Bratislava (Slovakia); University of Groningen (Netherlands); University of Bordeaux (France); Gent University (Belgium); University of Tartu (Estonia); University of Gottingen (Germany); University of the Basque Country (Spain); and Uppsala University (Sweden).

ENLIGHT aims to collaboratively transform higher education, addressing societal challenges and promoting equitable quality of life, sustainability and external engagement with the communities of the partner universities.

NUI Galway President and current chair of the ENLIGHT Alliance, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said: “NUI Galway is delighted with this Government support to strengthen our participation in the ENLIGHT alliance.

“All nine of the universities in ENLIGHT are based outside of capital cities which gives us a particular perspective on the world and community. 

"Together, we are regional drivers of development, working closely to tackle societal challenges and see international ambition as a means of maximising regional impact. At NUI Galway, we serve our region best - and respect it - by being open to the highest standards of excellence and co-operation. Securing Government support for ENLIGHT will afford us and our students and staff the opportunity to learn collectively, to excel and to address shared challenges consistent with our values as a university community.”

ENLIGHT will give NUI Galway a platform for partnerships and collaborations to attract wider funding under the Erasmus and Horizon Europe programmes. 

It will also strengthen strategic partnerships across the nine institutions, encouraging education, research and innovation collaborations, contributing both to our international competitiveness and collective global impact.

As part of the work of the alliance, NUI Galway is partnering with Uppsala University in Sweden on an event in May 2022. The theme is Sustainable Urban Development with researchers, students and regional stakeholders from across the alliance coming together to address collective challenges.

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