University of Galway has announced the Nelson Mandela Fund to promote a culture of race equality and to support scholarships for students.
The initiative was unveiled as part of celebrations and events at the University to mark Race Equality Week.
The fund is being established to help fund more than a dozen new scholarship places and to support the University’s actions as a global leader for impactful and inclusive teaching, research and innovation, staff and student experience and passion for culture and creativity.
The late Nelson Mandela was hosted at the University in 2003 when he was awarded an honorary doctorate of laws.
In his address at the conferring, the Nobel prize winner said: “Let us together hope and work for a world in which there will be peace and on the basis of that peace the building of a more prosperous life for all the people of the world.”
Launching the Nelson Mandela Fund, Galway City Labour Party Councillor Helen Ogbu, said, “Nelson Mandela showed the world that true leadership is rooted in empathy and understanding.”
“The University of Galway is dedicated to embedding his legacy throughout our community, recognizing that while strides have been made toward a fair and equal society, racial inequalities still persist in higher education and beyond.”
“By embracing equity—ensuring every individual receives the support they need—we can dismantle systemic barriers and foster diverse leadership.”
“The Nelson Mandela Fund is a vital step in answering Mandela’s call, advancing not only equality but also the benefits of equity that empower communities and build a more just society”
Dr Helen Maher, Vice-President Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, said, “The Nelson Mandela Fund is founded by University of Galway to promote Mandela’s legacy of courage and persistence in combating race inequalities and oppression during apartheid and promoting non-racism, non-sexism, peace, and reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa.”
“Mandela was a beacon of hope, a symbol of unwavering strength and compassion in the face of unimaginable adversity and a global inspiration to all who envision an equal society.”
“Through this fund, named in his honour, our aim is to enable, empower and embed a culture of race equality throughout University of Galway and our communities.”
