College to create new study abroad opportunities

Trinity has launched a new Global Relations Strategy which seeks grow and diversify the student body, with a focus on developing new partnerships with universities worldwide and creating new study abroad opportunities for students.

The strategy aims to expand College’s Student Exchange Agreements with universities abroad to increase undergraduate students’ mobility from 30% to 50%, citing personal development, language proficiency and intercultural development among the benefits of study abroad schemes. Additionally, Trinity expects its student body to rise from 18,000 to 21,000 by 2024.

Commenting on the strategy, Provost Patrick Prendergast stated: “For Trinity, being a global university is about pursuing strategies that engage Trinity with the world. Our global engagement in this strategy is holistic.”

“While there is a focus on recruitment, there is also a focus on further developing partnerships with universities around the world, particularly in Europe and increasing opportunities for student mobility and enrichening [sic] their education,” Prendergast continued. “A great example of this is the European Universities Initiative where we are leading the way for the benefit of our students. ”

Trinity joined the European Universities Network last month, which saw it forging ties with the University of Barcelona, Utrecht University, the University of Montpellier and Eötvös Loránd University to establish the Charm European University (Charm-EU). The networks allow students to study in several EU countries while obtaining their degree.

Vice-President for Global Relations, Professor Juliette Hussey outlined that the focus for the next five years is to “deepen relationships with universities worldwide and secure further opportunities for our students to go overseas”.

“We want to support our undergraduate students to spend time in study, research or clinical placements abroad,” said Hussey. “In a world where our graduates will need to address many global challenges it is important that their university education equips them with the ability to work with other cultures and countries.”