Our Strategy

From this unique place, our impact is global.

Our university is shaped by the unique city and region we call home. And it is sustained by the people who live, study, work and create here. This gives our university our sense of purpose.

In the coming years, we will draw on the distinctive strengths of our people and place, delivering research and education with international impact. That is our unique role as a globally connected  university in Galway. We are at the heart of a vibrant city in a bilingual coastal region like no other – enriched by diverse natural environments, a renowned creative sector and innovative industries.

Our university is of Galway. And, from this unique place, our impact is global.

Of Galway, For the World

In May 2025, following widespread consultation, the University published Of Galway, For the World, our strategic plan for the period 2025-2030. It reaffirms our mission to be a research-intensive university where we nurture talent and generate knowledge for the world. The strategy outlines a vision to empower our people to create global impact through our distinctive research, exceptional education and transformative student experiences. This is further articulated in our three Strategic Priorities:

• Distinctive Research Impact
• Education for the Future
• Effective and Sustainable Organisation that Empowers our People

A further section entitled Key Enablers expresses our ambition to create a Supportive Environment for our people, enhance the Effectiveness of Communications, ensure we continue to build upon our Sustainability Leadership, and the importance of Global Engagement to our ongoing success. ‘Building for the Future’ outlines the University’s plans for campus development in the years ahead.

Mission

A research-intensive university where we nurture talent and generate knowledge for the world.

Vision

To empower our people to create global impact through our distinctive research, exceptional education and transformative student experiences.

Our Values

As a university community we have defined a set of core values that support our mission and guide us in how we act as an organisation, interact as a community, and engage with the world around us. In developing this strategic plan, our community reaffirmed the importance of our four long-term values – Respect, Openness, Sustainability and Excellence, and identified a fifth value – Belonging – which emerged most strongly from our students as an important driver of wellbeing, personal growth and success.

• Excellence: The University is dedicated to supporting excellence in teaching, research, and innovation, empowering our people with the skills and knowledge to reach their potential and drive positive societal, cultural and economic change.
• Respect: The University is committed to ensuring a culture of respect, equality, trust and empathy, and supporting the wellbeing and equitable treatment of students and staff.
• Openness: The University is committed to fostering openness, diversity, and inclusion, while engaging with local and global communities to drive positive change and make education and research accessible. 
• Sustainability: The University aims to lead the transition to a sustainable future by embedding sustainability into its teaching, research, operations, and partnerships, fostering the next generation of leaders and innovators to tackle global challenges.
• Belonging: The University strives to create an environment where students, staff and alumni feel welcomed, supported, connected and valued as an integral part of a community of learning that fosters academic engagement, professional development and personal growth, health and wellbeing.