Youth Academy, the University of Galway’s flagship outreach programme for high ability pupils in primary and post-primary school, has renewed its partnership with Merit Medical. Merit Medical is a leading multi-national medical device company with significant operations in Galway, employing almost 1,000 people. Over the next five years, the University’s partnership with Merit Medical will enable further development of the Youth Academy programme, opening doors for young learners from diverse backgrounds, inspiring them through innovative activities and providing insights into future careers. Since its launch in 2012 with 64 participants, Youth Academy has grown to welcome more than 8,000 young people and their families to the University of Galway campus, providing opportunities for them to explore their passions, develop new skills and experience university life with like-minded peers. Youth Academy provides high-level, Saturday classes run over six weeks in the Spring and Autumn. Summer camps in science, engineering, computer science and arts are also delivered to primary and secondary school pupils by University of Galway researchers and educators who are committed to fostering a friendly, inclusive, and supportive learning environment.             Professor David Burn, President of University of Galway, said: “University of Galway is very proud of our collaborations with industry to grow and support the pipeline of future students and talent in the region. We are delighted to announce the continuation and strengthening of our partnership with Merit Medical, marking a significant philanthropic investment in the University’s Youth Academy. This renewed commitment will empower and enhance the programme that Merit Medical has supported since its inception, fuelling its growth and impact for young learners across the region.” Since 2019, Merit Medical has supported the expansion of the Youth Academy programme to include post-primary students for the first time, reach more students in the Galway region and beyond, and has supported full scholarships for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, broadening participation and equity of access.           Mark Butler, Executive Vice President, European Operations, Merit Medical, said: “We're delighted to renew Merit Medical's partnership with the Youth Academy and the University of Galway - a cornerstone of our local community and a place where young people can discover their potential. At Merit Medical we believe that investing in youth is investing in the future. By working together, we're helping to build confidence, opportunity, and connection - strengthening the community we're proud to be part of." A recent study of the long-term impact of Youth Academy participation revealed that it has a very positive influence on chosen Leaving Cert subjects and is a motivation to study at third level. The study identified that 87% of parents reported that participation had opened their child’s mind to new areas of study and possible careers. In addition, two thirds reported a positive or highly positive impact for female pupils in challenging gender stereotypes in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects. Read more about Youth Academy here: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/youthacademy/ Ends

University of Galway’s J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics has been announced as EY Luxembourg’s first higher education partner in Ireland and the UK. The partnership strengthens a relationship that has supported student development for more than two decades. The expanded link between the University and EY Luxembourg will offer students access to world-class expertise thanks to a suite of collaborative initiatives, including an annual summer school in alternative investments; direct mentorship from EY Luxembourg professionals; as well as employability activities and work placements opportunities. The partnership will also include guest lectures embedded in Management Accounting – reaching more than 550 undergraduate students. The partnership was officially launched with a visit by alumnus Robert White, Partner – Market Leader – EY Luxembourg; Europe West Wealth and Asset Management Assurance Leader on a visit to the campus. Speaking at the launch, Robert White said: “EY Luxembourg has had the tremendous pleasure of collaborating with University of Galway for more than 20 years now. This relationship has provided our firm with a proud line of inquisitive, mature and resilient graduates that have made a real difference in our business and for the clients we serve. “University of Galway’s commitment to industry collaboration, feedback and continuous improvement are attributes we value in our relationship. These reflective qualities are also evident in the graduates we have had the pleasure to welcome to EY. We are proud to formalise our partnership with University of Galway and look forward to many more years of collaboration and success.” During his visit to the campus, Mr White delivered guest lectures and met students interested in pursuing a work placement or graduate opportunities organised by the University’s Career Development Centre through their Employer in Residence programme. Mr White was the first University of Galway student to undertake a placement with EY Luxembourg 20 years ago. Professor Alma McCarthy, Executive Dean of the College of Business, Public Policy and Law, said of the partnership: “We are delighted to officially launch this partnership with EY.  It is a very valuable learning experience for students ensuring the curriculum is future-focused and they are industry-ready on graduation. The partnership builds on many years of successful collaboration between EY Luxembourg and University of Galway’s J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics.” Professor Karena Yan, Dean of J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, added: “This partnership brings world-class professional insight to Galway and opens international opportunities for our students in Luxembourg and beyond. By combining mentoring, guest teaching and meaningful work placements, we’re preparing graduates to lead responsibly in the financial services sector and to deliver impact for business and society.” Ends

 University of Galway has been awarded funding for 25 collaborative projects as part of the ENLIGHT European university alliance.  Academics and researchers leading the partnerships will focus on a range of areas including migration; cancer; hydrogen energy; multilingualism; accessible AI transformation; neurotherapies; and pain.  A total of €1.64million was awarded across the alliance to enable University of Galway staff to work with counterparts in 10 European countries across the ENLIGHT alliance, along with external stakeholders. The collaboration projects are all in areas linked to the University’s key research pillars of Innovation for Health, Creativity, Culture and Society, Transformative Data and AI and Sustainable and Resilient Environments.  Alexander Metcalfe, Vice-President for International, University of Galway, said: “ENLIGHT is a hugely positive initiative for University of Galway that has flourished in the last few years. This engagement with our ENLIGHT partners will support our strategic ambitions in education and research by providing diverse international opportunities to our university community and enabling our academics to further strengthen their international networks.  “The focus of this second stage of ENLIGHT funding is on embedding the European University Alliance in each partner institution and in each country. Our 25 funded projects demonstrate that we are doing just that here in the west of Ireland and we look forward to seeing the outputs of these initiatives over the coming years.”  ENLIGHT is an alliance of ten European universities in ten European countries, with the aim of transforming higher education and empowering learners as globally engaged citizens. ENLIGHT is funded under the European University Initiative, part of the European Commission’s flagship strategy for higher education. It is also supported by the Higher Education Authority.  In 2023, the European Commission announced ENLIGHT would be supported with a four-year, €14.4 million investment, with a significant portion of that funding earmarked for academic collaboration, emphasising the alliance’s commitment to supporting scholars.  The collaborative projects are supported through the European Thematic Network initiative, which enables a community of multidisciplinary academic teams from at least three universities in the alliance to join forces around a specific topic with societal relevance and impact. Ends