EngageAll is an All-Ireland Community of Practice (CoP) for professionals involved in student engagement within European University Alliances (EUAs). The EU-CONEXUS team at SETU has actively participated in events organised by this CoP.
European University Alliances (EUAs) were established in 2019 to foster cooperation among higher education institutions across Europe. Their aim is to create integrated European campuses that promote mobility for students and staff, address societal challenges, and enhance the quality and competitiveness of European education. EUAs also seek to uphold and promote core European values and a shared higher education identity. All 14 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Ireland are currently active participants in EUAs.
The journey to CoP
In early 2025, Student Affairs Ireland (SAI) granted seed funding to University College Dublin and Atlantic Technological University to establish the EngageAll Community of Practice. The group initially united 19 members from across Ireland, each representing Irish HEIs involved in EUAs. Since then, EngageAll has grown and continues to actively welcome new members.
This CoP aims to strengthen the professional capacity of its members by fostering knowledge exchange among colleagues in Irish HEIs. It also provides a space to share best practices and discuss common challenges in organising student-focused and student-led programmes. Additionally, the group supports the professional development of its members through collaborative activities and learning opportunities.
Participation and outputs
Participation in EngageAll enables professionals across Ireland working in student engagement within alliances to connect, share insights, and contribute to broader sectoral learning. These lessons are shared with Student Affairs Ireland (SAI), the Irish European University Initiative (EUI) Forum, and the Higher Education Authority (HEA). Planned outputs include increased visibility through national and international conferences, as well as the publication of a case study booklet showcasing effective practices. Engagement has already included poster presentations at recent events and a panel discussion at the inaugural conference of the Irish Association for International Education (IAIE), Internationalisation in Higher Education – Looking to the Future, held at SETU’s Waterford Campus. A poster presentation also took place during Collaborate 2025: Student Affairs and Services – Working Together for Student Success, hosted at Munster Technological University. The latter event reflects a global partnership in student affairs and services betweenNASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education), EucA (European University College Association), and SAI (Student Affairs Ireland).
Looking to the future
EngageAll continues to develop as a collaborative space for sharing experiences and practices in student engagement. With ongoing participation from SETU and others, the CoP offers valuable opportunities for reflection, connection, and professional learning. As the group evolves, it aims to contribute constructively to the wider conversations on student engagement within European University Alliances and the Irish higher education sector.
