Education & Student Success
Creating an outstanding student experience and preparing graduates to make a positive impact in the world.
Ours is a distinctive university in a unique city and region. We are proud of the contribution we make to Galway’s reputation as an internationally recognised centre of excellence in innovation for health, in culture, creativity and society, in sustainable and resilient environments and in transformative data and AI.
We take a responsibility and pride in our unique role in leading higher education and research in the Irish language, and we appreciate the importance of thriving Irish-speaking communities in the Gaeltacht and beyond. And we are leading the transition to a sustainable future on campus and with our partners through our Learn-Live-Lead model, which includes measurable sustainability impacts in teaching, research and operations.
This new role of Vice-President for Education and Student Success will lead transformation across the University that supports excellent teaching and learning and that provides a holistic, supportive and fulfilling environment in which our students can flourish. Our University’s strategic plan for 2025-2030, entitled Of Galway, For the World, highlights ‘Education for the Future’ as one of three strategic priorities for the years ahead. Supported by their team and working in collaboration with colleagues in our Colleges and across our professional support services, the Vice-President will ensure the policies, supports and conditions are put in place to instil in our students the ambition to shape their future and society, using the knowledge, confidence and creativity they develop through our distinctive research-led education and excellent student-centred experience.
We are looking for an experienced leader with the personal drive, enthusiasm and professional expertise to provide exceptional leadership at this exciting moment as we implement the University’s new strategic plan.
Student Success Centre
The University is investing in a new Student Success Centre as one of the Priority Initiatives funded as part our Strategic Plan 2025-2030. It is a dedicated unit, led by the Dean of Students, that coalesces existing Student Services and Sports Units, along with new supports and services, to empower our students to grow, succeed, and feel a strong sense of belonging, as part of a holistic and supportive student experience aligned with students’ evolving needs. The Student Success Centre will drive and coordinate the strategic direction of student experience and the implementation of the Student Success Strategy in the years ahead. As part of these efforts, the Centre will collaborate with Colleges and central professional support services to use data, student feedback and targeted interventions to drive student progression rates and support and monitor student success, health, wellbeing and transitions.
Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT)
The Centre for Excellent in Learning and Teaching (CELT), established in 2002, supports academic colleagues across the institution in developing new programmes, enhancing teaching and learning, encouraging innovation and scholarship, and in ensuring that they are provided with the best tools and environment to support teaching and their students’ learning. CELT works with lecturers, researchers, and professional staff to:
- Improve teaching practice and student learning
- Support curriculum and programme design
- Provide guidance on assessment and academic integrity
- Develop and support learning technologies and audiovisual systems
- Promote innovation and scholarship in higher education teaching
- Offer professional development opportunities for university staff
Centre for Adult Learning & Professional Development
With over 50 years of providing education and upskilling opportunities for adult learners, the Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development offers an array of part-time, flexible courses in subject areas such as Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Business and Management and Science and Technology. A core strength of the Centre is flexibility, offering a range of online, blended and evening or part-time schedules, making it particularly attractive for learners balancing study with work or family commitments. The Centre is actively engaged with our Colleges to further develop our range of micro-credential modules, providing short, standalone, accredited courses focused on specific areas for upskilling or reskilling.