Over 150 primary school pupils in Galway City got a taste of University life this summer through the UNI 4 U programme.
University of Galway has presented certificates of achievement to 174 Galway City primary school pupils who took part in this year’s programme.
UNI 4 U is a primary schools initiative run by University of Galway’s Access Centre, to give young people a chance to see what living and studying at university is like.
The initiative works with Scoil Bhríde in Shantalla, Radharc na Mara in Mervue, Scoil Chroí Íosa in Newcastle, and this year, for the first time, Merlin Woods Primary School in Doughiska.
Over the course of 10 weeks, sixth class pupils took part in a range of activities and were given a taste of University of Galway campus and life.
Workshops ranged from engineering, science, law, creative writing and zoology, to the Irish language, coding and visits to the Library archive.
Dr Mary Surlis, Senior Manager with University of Galway’s Access Centre, said: “The UNI 4 U programme empowers primary school children and their families, giving them confidence that our university and third level education is accessible.”
“For the past two months, inviting the children to our campus has given them the skills and belief that they can go far in their own academic journeys.”
The UNI 4 U initiative began in 2005 as part of the university’s own plans to better meet the social, economic, educational, and cultural needs of the Western region.
More recently, it has also taken into consideration the National Access plan which aims to increase equality of opportunity, and diversity, across universities in Ireland.
Deputy President and Registrar, Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh, said that UNI 4 U enables their belief that higher education should be accessible to everyone.
“As these pupils prepare to take the next big leap in their education from primary to secondary school, our message is that the leap to third level education thereafter is achievable.”
“This programme shows them the way, and let’s them know that the University of Galway is open and welcoming.”
