NUI Galway has been allocated more than €7.5 million to develop "innovative courses" that will allow graduates meet the needs of key enterprises in Ireland.
The investment has been provided under the National Training Fund, and is part of the Government’s Human Capital Initiative. The scheme aims to incentivise reform and innovation in the third-level sector, build on international best practice, and support innovation in programme design and delivery.
The allocation has been welcomed by Galway West Fine Gael TD, and Minister for International Road Transport and Logistics, Hildegarde Naughton.
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“Galway has a magnificent reputation for the quality of our educational institutes and the workforce that they produce,” she said. "It’s vital for our economy that we maintain that reputation by ensuring our graduates are equipped with sector-specific skills and knowledge in response to the changing needs of global industry and enterprise."
'NUIG will play a key role in developing innovative programmes nd producing graduates who will grow and shape industry and enterprise'
Minister Naughton said the Covid-19 has shown the importance of "being able to adapt and diversify". She said: "This investment is integral to ensuring our higher education sector has the capacity and flexibility to respond to future changes and demands."
She said the allocation will allow NUIG to become "central to this strategy" of the Human Capital Initiative. “The university will play a key role in developing innovative programmes," she said, "and producing graduates who will grow and shape industry and enterprise in the region."