STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Tarleton State University Texans now have even more opportunities to broaden their educational horizons thanks to a new partnership with Dublin City University in Dublin, Ireland. DCU and Tarleton State officials today signed a five-year agreement to collaborate on study abroad and exchange programs for students and faculty at both institutions.
“We are proud to enter into this exciting partnership with our colleagues in Dublin, which opens new doors for global engagement, academic enrichment and cross-cultural exchange,” said Tarleton State President Dr. James Hurley. “By working together, we create opportunities to learn from one another and build lasting academic and cultural connections that will benefit our institutions and communities. We look forward to the discoveries, experiences and innovation this partnership will inspire.”
For the past week, Dr. Hurley and First Lady Kindall Hurley have joined a contingent of about 80 Tarleton State Texans in Dublin that includes agriculture, business and education students, faculty, staff, alumni and donors. The trip was highlighted by the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the two universities.
“I am delighted to welcome President Hurley and our friends from Tarleton State to DCU,” said DCU President Prof. Daire Keogh. “Ireland and Texas may be far apart, but our universities share so many of the same values and objectives, and I look forward to deepening our connection. The signing of this MOU is a first step in that journey.”
The MOU outlines opportunities for the two institutions to explore collaborative teaching, learning and research, student and faculty exchange programs, study abroad programs, and joint conferences, seminars and workshops. These mutual collaborations will benefit both universities and provide invaluable international experiences for participants, said Dr. Sherri Benn, Tarleton State’s Vice President for Global, Community and First-gen Initiatives.
International experiences such as study abroad programs are especially valuable for students because it makes them more competitive in the workforce. Increasingly, employers are seeking workers with global skills and experience who are prepared to navigate a transnational economy.
“There are 1,700 transnational corporations in Texas alone, so it’s important that our students are getting the opportunities to engage abroad, to understand the world of business, the world of agriculture in other countries — because pretty much all things are connected,” said Dr. Benn.
About Dublin City University (DCU)
Dublin City University (DCU) is a leading innovative European university with a mission to “transform lives and societies.” DCU ranks as one of the world’s Top 400 Universities (THE) and is proud to be Ireland’s No. 1 Young University. The university is known for the “transformative student experience” it offers and is also recognized for its impact in addressing global challenges in collaboration with national and international stakeholders. Founded in 1975 as the National Institute for Higher Education, Dublin, and established as a university in 1989, DCU is a dynamic, research-intensive institution characterized by a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, close engagement with the enterprise sector in its research and education activities, and the ability to move quickly and effect change. DCU’s divisions include Science and Health, Engineering and Computing, Humanities and Social Sciences, DCU Business School, and the Institute of Education. In addition, the university is home to a number of world-class research centers that focus on translating their outputs into societal and economic benefits. DCU’s mission to transform lives and societies through education, research and innovation is central to its teaching and research focus.
A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.