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Courses
Courses
Choosing a course is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make! View our courses and see what our students and lecturers have to say about the courses you are interested in at the links below.
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University Life
University Life
Each year more than 4,000 choose University of Galway as their University of choice. Find out what life at University of Galway is all about here.
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About University of Galway
About University of Galway
Since 1845, University of Galway has been sharing the highest quality teaching and research with Ireland and the world. Find out what makes our University so special – from our distinguished history to the latest news and campus developments.
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Colleges & Schools
Colleges & Schools
University of Galway has earned international recognition as a research-led university with a commitment to top quality teaching across a range of key areas of expertise.
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Research & Innovation
Research & Innovation
University of Galway’s vibrant research community take on some of the most pressing challenges of our times.
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Business & Industry
Guiding Breakthrough Research at University of Galway
We explore and facilitate commercial opportunities for the research community at University of Galway, as well as facilitating industry partnership.
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Alumni & Friends
Alumni & Friends
There are 128,000 University of Galway alumni worldwide. Stay connected to your alumni community! Join our social networks and update your details online.
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Community Engagement
Community Engagement
At University of Galway, we believe that the best learning takes place when you apply what you learn in a real world context. That's why many of our courses include work placements or community projects.
Strategic and Operational Planning Process
Strategic and Operational Planning Process
What is the Strategic and Operational Planning Process?
Every five years, the University develops a strategic plan outlining our priorities for the years ahead. It articulates a shared vision for how the University is seeking to innovate, evolve or improve across the full range of university activities. It also defines the values that will guide the university community in this work.
If we think about the strategic plan as a high level vision for the entire university over five years, then operational planning helps to achieve that vision through specific on-the-ground actions on a yearly basis. Each School and Unit creates an operational plan for the year ahead, showing how they plan to deliver on aspects of the University’s strategic plan (and their College or Unit strategies) in their own defined area.
In tandem with this process, the Director of Strategy Implementation reports regularly to the University Management Team, Academic Council and Údarás na hOllscoile on the University’s progress towards delivering on the priorities listed in the strategic plan, drawing on milestones and metrics from across the University.
Further Information
Policies & Documents
- Universities Act 1997: The responsibility of universities to prepare a strategic plan is outlined in the Universities Act, 1997 – Chapter VII – Planning and Evaluation
- HEA Act 2022: This Act updates the Universities Act 1997 including by setting out in Section 80 the process of consultation which Universities should undertake in the development of strategic plans
- Strategy Development Process: See a step-by-step guide to how the 2020-2025 strategic plan was developed at: www.universityofgalway.ie/strategydevelopment
- Strategy Development Submission template: Used by School and Unit Heads to make submissions to the strategic plan:190502-Strategy-Development-Submission-Template(2).docx
- Operational Planning (Academic Units) Policy: See QA007 Operational Plans – Academic Units at:www.universityofgalway.ie/media/registrar/docs/QA007-Operational-Plans---Academic-Units.pdf
- Operational Planning (Academic Units) Template: Report of Prior Year Operational Plan Template and School Operational Planning Template 2023_24
- Operational Planning (Professional Services Units) Policy: Currently, under a devolved system, individual UMT members with responsibility for professional services units are required to oversee the development of operational planning within their areas of responsibility, and in respect of the individual professional services units reporting to them, and to monitor and review such plans.
- Operational Planning (Professional Services Units) Suggested Template: 2023_24 Operational Planning template_ProfessionalSupportUnits
- Strategy Reporting Template: Used by nominated reporters to update on progress towards delivering on the Flagship Actions in the strategic plan: Strategy Reporting template.docx
Roles & Responsibilities
Please see below for a detailed accountability matrix and the key contacts for this area.
Director of Strategy Implementation
If you have any queries on Strategic and Operational Planning, please contact the Director of Strategy Implementation
Strategic Planning and Operational Process RACI
Click here for the Strategic and Operational Planning Process RACI
RACI Explained
RACI stands for Responsible, Accountable, Consulted and Informed. See below for a further explanation.
RESPONSIBLE "Doer"
The person or group who is assigned to ensure the works is completed to meet the goals, objectives and overall quality as expected, who will report to the accountable team as to progress, and calls out any risks or impediments to that success
ACCOUNTABLE "Buck Stops Here"
The person or group who is ultimately answerable for the correct and thorough completion of the workstream, ensures the prerequisites are met to support success, and delegates the work to those responsible
CONSULTED "In the Loop"
The person or group in two-way communications in relation to the process or decision
INFORMED "FYI"
The group or person kept informed of the decision or process
Related Processes
- Current Strategic Plan: ‘Shared Vision, Shaped by Values’ the University’s strategic plan 2020-2025 can be read and downloaded at: www.universityofgalway.ie/strategy2025
