The leadership of Universities Ireland, including newly appointed Chairperson Prof Eeva Leinonen, President of Maynooth University, gathered in Belfast for a series of significant meetings, underlining the organisation’s commitment to fostering collaboration and mobility in higher education across the island.
The visit, led by Prof Leinonen and Vice-Chair John D’Arcy, Regional Director of The Open University in Ireland, featured engagements at Queen’s University Belfast and the Department for the Economy. Their leadership marks an exciting chapter for Universities Ireland as they strengthen cross-border partnerships and address shared challenges in the sector.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Sir Ian Greer, a member of the Universities Ireland Executive, hosted the delegation at Queen’s University Belfast. Discussions focused on Universities Ireland’s ongoing work, and key priorities included advancing the shared vision for higher education and supporting initiatives that promote student mobility and research collaboration.
Later, the leadership team met with senior civil servants and also the Minister for the Economy, Conor Murphy, at the Department for the Economy. Discussions explored shared interests, including the role of higher education in driving economic and social development.