Summary: Maynooth University has officially opened the National Centre for Inclusive Higher Education (NCIHE), Ireland’s first national hub dedicated to advancing equity, inclusion, and access across the higher education system. The centre aims to reduce inequality, expand opportunity, and strengthen pathways for underrepresented students and staff.
Maynooth University in County Kildare has formally inaugurated the National Centre for Inclusive Higher Education (NCIHE), marking a milestone in Ireland’s education landscape. The centre is the first of its kind in the country, designed to coordinate national efforts to make higher education more accessible and equitable.
Led by award-winning academic and author Professor Katriona O’Sullivan, the NCIHE will serve as a hub for research, policy, and practice. Its mission is to identify and implement effective strategies that support students and staff from underserved communities to access, succeed in, and progress beyond higher education.
The centre’s establishment comes amid growing concern over inequality in education. Recent figures show persistent gaps in participation among students from disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as challenges faced by those with disabilities and minority groups. The NCIHE aims to address these disparities by sharing best practices across universities and colleges, similar to initiatives in the UK and Australia.
Minister for Higher Education James Lawless welcomed the launch, describing it as “a transformative step toward ensuring that every student, regardless of background, has a fair chance to thrive in higher education.”
The centre has already forged international partnerships, including collaborations with the University of Newcastle in Australia and Columbia University in the United States. These alliances will strengthen global dialogue on equity and inclusion, while providing Ireland with tested models to adapt domestically.
Professor O’Sullivan emphasized the urgency of the work, stating: “Education should be the great equalizer. This centre is about ensuring that promise becomes reality for all students.”
The opening of the NCIHE represents a pivotal commitment by Ireland to confront inequality in higher education, positioning Maynooth University at the forefront of national and international efforts to build a more inclusive academic future. Leinster Leader Kfm The HRB National Drugs Library
Maynooth University Library Picture by Maynooth University
