Access to Higher Education, the PATH Showcase Event highlights Progress and Future Opportunities

Posted: 22 June, 2026

On the 16 and 17 of June 2026, the Higher Education Authority (HEA), in partnership with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), hosted the Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) Showcase Event at Croke Park in Dublin.

The event brought together over 130 participants, including higher education professionals, policymakers, community partners and stakeholders, to share insights, showcase best practice and explore future directions for widening participation in higher education.

Established in 2016, PATH has evolved into a key strategic funding initiative supporting equity of access across five interconnected strands. The event provides a platform for higher education institutions (HEIs) to present learnings from pilot phases, highlight evidence-based approaches, and support future implementation across the sector.

Over the two days, the programme featured a range of presentations and panel discussions focused on key access priorities, including addressing data gaps for National Access Plan (NAP) priority groups, supporting students with care experience, and enhancing access for migrants, refugees, and international protection applicants. Sessions also explored inclusive pathways into higher education, with a particular emphasis on initiatives supporting Traveller and Roma communities, as well as innovations in open learning, apprenticeships, and teacher education.

The event included interactive sessions highlighting cultural representation and community engagement, alongside presentations examining lessons learned from PATH initiatives such as progression routes into teaching, the development of the 1916 Bursary, and inter-institutional collaboration. Attendees also had the opportunity to engage with a wide range of poster presentations showcasing innovative programmes designed to support students from underrepresented backgrounds.

For more information on the event, see: https://hea.ie/path-showcase-event-2026/