EDI

25 years, 3,500 students and a 629-enrolment count per annum. University of Galway’s Access Centre celebrates encouraging routes to education for a quarter of a century. The Access Programmes were established in 1999, with the aim to provide a supportive, educational environment that prepares students academically and personally for a full-time undergraduate degree at third level. A critical milestone, this 25-year achievement sets the precedent for many more life-changing years to come. 

Whose identity, experience and knowledge matters and how are we accountable for including diverse perspectives and characteristics? These are questions that Dr Helen Maher, Vice President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), addresses on a daily basis at University of Galway. We sat down with Helen to reflect on our progress to date, the steps still to take and the vital difference that EDI makes to a university community.