University College Cork, has a future as a pan European university as they secure €442,000 in funding to continue to develop their new model.
UCC together with seven other European universities has since 2020 being developing a European University – (UNIC) The European University of Post-Industrial Cities.
The initiative aims to create a inter-university ‘campus’, where students, staff and researchers enjoy seamless mobility (physical, virtual or blended) to study, train, teach, do research, work or share services at cooperating partner institutions.
UCC and Cork city is working with universities and city authorities in Finland, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Spain, Turkey and Croatia.
The €442,000 funding given to UCC by The Higher Education Authority will strengthen this alliance and support student exchanges, researchers, and engagement.
The UNIC represents a community of 230,000 students and 18 million cities.
Speaking about the funding, Professor John O’Halloran, President of UCC said:
“These funds are very welcome and will enable UCC and our European partners in UNIC to provide a potential template for deeper engagement to deliver on the European Universities initiative. Engaging with European Universities remains a core priority for UCC in research and education and important in securing our future for a sustainable European research Area”.
Dr Jean Van Sinderen-Law, Associate Vice-President, Director of UNIC at UCC commented on the announcement saying:
"UCC greatly welcomes the support and commitment of the Irish Government in enabling it participate in this game changing future of European Higher Education. It is a tribute to the current Government that the impact of such participation on resources is recognised and we greatly welcome it’s investment in our ability to capacity build to ensure that the Irish higher education system in not left behind."
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, said:
“This announcement signals our Government’s commitment to the ambitious vision of innovative, globally competitive and attractive European Education Area and European Research Area, in full synergy with the European Higher Education Area.
