YERUN, the Young European Research Universities Network, is a consortium of 23 young research institutions from across Europe. Established in 2016, the network's primary goal is to foster collaboration between member universities in research, teaching, and knowledge exchange; enabling talent to grow unfettered.
The network's universities are highly ranked and committed to addressing societal challenges while providing students, staff, and academics with the skills and knowledge they need to become innovative leaders and problem solvers. YERUN facilitates this by supporting collaborative research and teaching initiatives, promoting mobility and exchange opportunities for students and staff, and advocating for the importance of research-driven education and knowledge exchange within Europe.
As YERUN continues to grow its mission remains the same; showcase achievements, promote collaborative and transformative activities, and influence and advise on EU policy, shaping a Europe where young universities have a genuine impact and can continue to thrive.
European Margins Engaging for Regional and Global Empowerment (EMERGE) is an alliance of nine regional Higher Education Institutions located on the margins of Europe striving for excellence in education; brought together by a shared passion for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion; Sustainability; Creativity and Entrepreneurship; and Community Engagement.
The alliance seeks to amplify, and diversify, the expertise of the peripheries by bringing together experts from the public, private, and academic sectors; and by developing an integrated, holistic approach to digital transformation. By collaborating in the fields of education, research, and innovation, the alliance establishes the ideal environment for opportunities created by digital transformation to flourish, amplifying the creativity of the peripheries.
By implementing smart technology, innovative training and education, and policy reform, EMERGE is building a more digitally inclusive society. EMERGE is employing a European-wide network of digital hubs to provide unfettered access to education and training support for citizens on the margins. Through this network, people can access the latest in digital services and technologies, enabling them to participate more actively in the digital economy. The ultimate goal of the alliance is to foster the development of a rapidly changing digital society that is open and inclusive to all by means of green internationalisation; enhancing social and economic cohesion, improving quality of life, and reinvigorating European citizenship.
University of Limerick have entered into a unique partnership with University of Galway and the Georgia Institute of Technology, USA to develop a joint Translational Research Institute. This development is one of the first initiatives to come out of the UL-UoG Alliance launched earlier this year. The Translational Research Institute will focus on the development and synergy of core technologies and expertise within the partner institutions, to provide Irish industries with relevant and world-class research solutions.
University of Limerick, University of Galway, Shannon Development, and Silicon Valley's Irish Technology Leadership Group (ITLG) have launched the Shannon Energy Valley, a major renewable energy hub in Ireland's Shannon Region. The Shannon Energy Valley initiative will create a national hub for Energy research and development, industry and commerce with a view to attracting international investment and generating high-end employment in the region.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between the four partners that commits them to delivering a hub of excellence and innovation that will harness the natural resources of the region, as well as its highly skilled workforce and access to top class research and development expertise at University of Limerick and University of Galway.
The University of Limerick is continuing to strengthen its links with industry leaders as it hosts the Irish Technology Leadership Group (ITLG) ‘Silicon Valley Comes To Ireland’ event in conjunction with Alliance partner, University of Galway and Shannon Development, in November this year. This event brings prominent figures from the innovation, business and venture capital communities in Silicon Valley to the region for a review of potential investment opportunities, under the chairmanship of former Intel CEO and Chairman Dr Craig Barrett.
Link-To-Learn
In a new Link-to-Learn exchange programme, students of both University of Limerick and University of Galway will have the opportunity to choose specialist modules that interest them, at the other institution. This means that you could choose to study part of your course - even up to a full semester - at University of Galway, if there is a particular specialist option that interests you.*
We currently have some joint programmes up and running, with more planned for the near future. We are also using the latest video conferencing technology to share lectures between our two universities. By combining the expertise of both universities, the Link-to-Learn programme will give you access to greater choice in the subjects you study as part of your degree.
* subject to places being available at each University
A New Medical Academy
The Medical Schools at University of Galway and the University of Limerick have formed a joint Medical Academy in Ballinasloe (Portiuncula) and Roscommon hospitals. As a Medicine student of either University you will have the opportunity to choose your hospital placement at either of these hospitals, if you wish.
Formed in the context of the HEA Strategic Innovation Fund, the Shannon Consortium consists of the University of Limerick (UL), Limerick IT (LIT), IT Tralee (ITT) and Mary Immaculate College (MIC). The Shannon Consortium was awarded a grant of €9.6 million for a range of educational innovations under SIF 1. The activities of the Consortium will make it easier for students from marginalised and under-represented communities to gain access to higher education, to gain relevant qualifications and to enjoy productive careers as active members of our society. In addition, the partners within the Consortium will put in place a range of learner support programmes designed to help the region's 14,000 students progress through their third-level education,TEST with a focus on student learning needs and styles, delivery of programmes in ways that suit lifelong learners and specific support measures across the Region in areas such as Mathematics, Languages and Science. Fourth Level initiatives will also be supported through SIF which will further help Ireland play its part in the Knowledge Economy.
The additional SIF 2 award of €12.5 million in 2008 comprises of 4 additional project strands namely:
- Strand 1: The Regional learning Gateway
- Strand 2: Innovation in Teaching and Learning Support
- Strand 3: Shannon Consortium Procurement Network
- Strand 4: Shannon Consortium Library Network
The projects are innovative, they involve substantial collaboration, and they support the delivery of core activities and will shape future development in UL and its partners. The strategic scope of Shannon Consortium activity proposed under SIF Cycle 2 builds on many of the achievements outlined in Cycle I. As in Cycle 1, UL will be the contact institution for overall co-ordination, with the management of projects being shared amongst the partners. The governance structure established during Cycle 1 will be continued in Cycle 2: the Shannon Consortium Steering Committee (comprising senior officers of Consortium institutions); project management teams: and regular progress reporting and monitoring of expenditure.
Find out more: https://shannonconsortium.ie/
Formed in the context of the HEA Strategic Innovation Fund, the Shannon Consortium consists of the University of Limerick (UL), Limerick IT (LIT), IT Tralee (ITT) and Mary Immaculate College (MIC). The Shannon Consortium was awarded a grant of €9.6 million for a range of educational innovations under SIF 1. The activities of the Consortium will make it easier for students from marginalised and under-represented communities to gain access to higher education, to gain relevant qualifications and to enjoy productive careers as active members of our society. In addition, the partners within the Consortium will put in place a range of learner support programmes designed to help the region's 14,000 students progress through their third-level education,TEST with a focus on student learning needs and styles, delivery of programmes in ways that suit lifelong learners and specific support measures across the Region in areas such as Mathematics, Languages and Science. Fourth Level initiatives will also be supported through SIF which will further help Ireland play its part in the Knowledge Economy.
The additional SIF 2 award of €12.5 million in 2008 comprises of 4 additonal project strands namely:
- Strand 1: The Regional learning Gateway
- Strand 2: Innovation in Teaching and Learning Support
- Strand 3: Shannon Consortium Procurement Network
- Strand 4: Shannon Consortium Library Network
From September 2011, degree programmes at St. Patrick's College will be accredited by the University of Limerick. From 2012 graduates of the College will be awarded University of Limerick degrees. The University of Limerick, with a student body of over 11,500 students, has an international reputation for innovation in education and excellence in research. President of UL, Professor Don Barry said, "This agreement recognises opportunities for delivery of an enhanced suite of education programmes in St Patrick's College that will be consistent with UL's expertise in teacher education. UL is the largest provider of post-primary teacher education in the State, with our Education students accounting for nearly one in ten students at UL, and consequently accounting for a significant part of the University's impact on the wider local, regional and national communities. We put a great deal of time and energy into pedagogy at UL and we have recognised a similar commitment in the education programmes at St Patrick's College. We are proud that our teacher education model at UL is well regarded nationally and internationally as a pioneering model for the future ". St. Patrick's College, Thurles was established as a third level College of Education in 2004 and currently offers two concurrent teacher education programmes. Graduates of the College are registered with the Teaching Council and qualified to teach Business, Accounting, Religious Studies and Irish to honours Leaving Certificate level, depending on their programme choice. The President of St Patrick's College, Fr. Tom Fogarty, said the alliance with the University of Limerick "truly marks the beginning of a new era for the College and the extension of University education beyond the major cities". "This partnership brings huge value to St Patrick's College. The offer of University-level degrees strengthens our identity and will attract a wide cross-section of students to enrich our culture further. We provide a welcoming, inclusive and quality learning environment for students and strongly believe in a 'values led' education.," he added. Last year a Governing Board was appointed to St. Patrick's College with responsibility for strategic development. Board members include; Chairperson Robbie Kelleher (Head of Global Investment Strategy at Davy Stockbrokers), Dr. Bernadette Flanagan (Director of Research at All Hallows College), Dr. Finbarr Bradley, (former professor at DCU, UCD and NUIM), Dr. Richard Thorn (Director of Flexible Learning, IOTI) and John Lonergan (former Governor of Mountjoy Prison). Mr. Kelleher said that, against a backdrop of a decline in applications to the CAO this year, St. Patrick's College has again recorded double-digit increases in the number of applicants and first preference choices for its degree courses. "This demonstrates the enduring appeal of pursuing a four year concurrent teacher education degree in order to develop a career as a highly specialised and effective post-primary teacher", he added.