GUA News: Irish Government Partnership
DFHERIS embarks on an ambitious new education, research and innovation strategy in partnership with the GUA
November 8, 2023
by Diane Nolan
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) has announced an exciting partnership with The Global Undergraduate Awards (GUA), the world’s leading undergraduate award programme which celebrates the outstanding academic achievements of undergraduate students by recognising and rewarding their undergraduate work.
The GUA aims to empower the next generation of change makers and scholars. Since 2009, approximately 3,000 submissions are received annually from undergraduates across 400 institutions and 90 countries. In addition, over 600 academics across 300 institutions volunteer to assess these academic papers and select those deserving of commendation (the top 10%). The winners in each category are awarded the Thomas Clarkson Gold Medal. The Awards culminate in a Summit in Ireland in November each year, where the Clarkson medals are presented.
In a world where objective analysis, research and critical thinking is increasingly challenged, the need to motivate future thinkers to make an impact is ever greater. Our strategic partnership with The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science underpins our combined belief that the quality of education must always rise up to meet the needs of its environment and that innovation through postgraduate study is critical for the future of Ireland and the world.
Speaking about the new partnership, Colm O’Reardon, Secretary General of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) commented:
We believe that the unique nature of the Global Undergraduate Awards and its extensive international network is complementary to the work of DFHERIS, which will help us to realise our ambition for Ireland to be recognised as a world leader in talent, innovation and science in small advanced economies.
As DFHERIS embarks on an ambitious new education, research and innovation strategy, its partnership with GUA enables it to further strengthen its connections in key global regions and to promote Ireland as a destination of choice for learners, researchers, innovators and academics.
This new partnership with the GUA signifies DFHERIS’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent worldwide, and promoting academic excellence, while ensuring that public investment and policy in these areas gives opportunities to people from all social backgrounds, ethnicities and abilities, who may be underrepresented in higher education.
Together, DFHERIS and GUA are set to embark on a journey to inspire, encourage and reward exceptional undergraduate students and global collaboration. This partnership will result in a range of collaborative initiatives designed to empower young scholars and encourage them to pursue their academic passions and to strive for excellence.
