India, 12 th June 2026: University of Galway, the #1 university in Ireland for sustainable development
and Vellore Institute of Technology have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
to deepen academic collaboration and expand opportunities for students and faculty.
The partnership will focus on joint research, student and faculty exchange, and the development of
new academic programmes, advantaging both universities. It will also enable greater international
exposure for students and create a framework for shared innovation between the two institutions.
The collaboration brings together Ireland’s strengths in research and industry-academic integration
with India’s growing talent and scientific capabilities, aiming to build practical, high-impact and
large-scale knowledge creation.
As part of the engagement, both institutions are also exploring collaborations in life sciences,
particularly Biotechnology, including potential 2+2 and progression-based programmes that allow
students to study across both campuses.
Speaking on the partnership, Prof. Alex Metcalfe, Vice President International, University of Galway
said, "India continues to be a strategically important partner for University of Galway, particularly in
areas of research, innovation, and academic collaboration. Our engagement with VIT reflects a
shared ambition to build meaningful institutional relationships that extend beyond mobility and
create opportunities for collaborative knowledge creation. By bringing together Ireland’s strengths
in research and innovation with India’s exceptional talent and academic scale, we can develop
impactful collaborations that benefit students, researchers, and society more broadly. We look
forward to exploring a range of opportunities with VIT in the years ahead."
Commenting on the collaboration, Mr. Sudarshan. S, Assistant Director of Corporate
Communication, Vellore Institute of Technology, said, "The Memorandum of Understanding signed
between VIT Vellore and University of Galway marks an important step towards strengthening
international academic and research collaboration between our institutions. This partnership
reflects our shared commitment to excellence in higher education, innovation, interdisciplinary
research, and global engagement. We believe this collaboration will create meaningful academic
and cultural opportunities, foster knowledge exchange in areas of mutual interest, and contribute
significantly to the growing educational and research relationship between India and Ireland."
The partnership represents another significant step in the growing academic engagement between
India and Ireland. Both institutions will continue discussions to identify priority areas for
collaboration and develop initiatives that support innovation-driven academic partnerships.
About University of Galway
Established in 1845, University of Galway is ranked among the top 2% of universities globally and is
recognised for its excellence in research, innovation, and teaching. A bilingual university located on Ireland’s
west coast, it comprises four colleges, 18 schools, and six research institutes, with a diverse student
community of more than 19,700 students, including approximately 4,000 international students from over
120 countries.
The university is widely recognised for its commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and holds an
Athena SWAN Institutional Silver Award, with 14 of its 18 schools also individually accredited under the
Athena SWAN framework.
University of Galway has more than 2,500 staff and maintains research collaborations with over 5,300
institutions across 181 countries. Since 2020, its academic and research community has contributed to the
creation of 21 spinout companies and 195 new inventions, reflecting the university’s strong focus on
innovation and real-world impact.
With a global alumni network of over 135,000 graduates, University of Galway continues to prepare students
for globally relevant careers, with 98% of graduates in employment or further study within six months of
graduation.
For more information visit https://www.universityofgalway.ie/.
About Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai
VIT Chennai was established in 2010 and has since become a beacon of excellence in higher education.
Spearheaded by Vice President Dr. G. V. Selvam, a pioneering visionary who laid the foundation of VIT
Chennai, he is an insightful architect of its evergreen campus and an ingenious leader whose comprehensive
vision and mission have shaped its growth. Strategically located in the capital city of Tamil Nadu, VIT Chennai
is a globally engaged, competitive, and research-enriched institution. It proactively addresses industrial,
social, economic, and environmental challenges, fostering application-based learning that produces industry-
ready professionals.
