New Strategy for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education launched

Posted: 11 December, 2025

A new Strategy for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education – to promote excellence across the sector – has been launched today at a special conference in Dublin.

The Strategy, which was developed following extensive consultation with the sector, was launched at the 2025 HEA Teaching and Learning Conference ‘Leading Change Together: Building the Future of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education’, which gathered leaders, educators, students, researchers and policymakers from across the sector.

Its publication delivers on the HEA mandate under the Higher Education Authority Act 2022 and commitments in the Corporate Strategic Plan 2023 – 2026.

The Strategy sets out a national vision to promote excellence in teaching and learning across higher education in Ireland and reinforces the HEA’s role in shaping national teaching the learning policy and supporting institutions to enhance the student experiences.

Higher Education Authority CEO, Dr Alan Wall, welcomed the launch, saying:

“This Strategy signals a renewed national ambition for teaching and learning in higher education. It provides a national framework to support institutions, staff and students. Teaching and learning excellence is central to the student experience and this Strategy strengthens our collective ability to deliver it. I look forward to working with partners across the sector to support and deliver these priorities in a T&L environment marked by evolution and change.”

Professor Marie Clarke, Chair of the HEA Student Engagement and Teaching & Learning (SETL) Committee, said:

“This Strategy is the product of extensive engagement with the higher education community. It reflects the collective expertise and commitment of those who teach, support and lead on teaching and learning across our institutions. The SETL Committee looks forward to supporting the sector as we deliver on these priorities for the benefit of all students.”

Senior Manager for Teaching and Learning, Student Success, Health and Wellbeing at the Higher Education Authority, Dr Ross Woods, said the Strategy covers six priorities.

“It will help the HEA provide strategic leadership to the sector to promote teaching and learning excellence in higher education and signals our commitment to funding that supports strategic alignment of teaching and learning enhancement initiatives at system level,” he said.

He added that it aims to raise the profile of teaching and learning in higher education and foster collaboration between higher education institutions to share best practice across the sector.

“This strategy aims to drive an innovative higher education system that is at the cutting edge of international teaching and learning in higher education and will be underpinned by consultation with stakeholders to inform policies that respond to the strategic needs of the sector,” he said.

The new Strategy will guide HEA policy, investment and sectoral engagement for the next three to five years.