TU Dublin School of Art and Design Connects Students Globally Through New International Programmes
The School of Art and Design at TU Dublin is expanding opportunities for students to learn and collaborate internationally through two innovative programmes that connect students with peers and educators around the world.
One of these initiatives, Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), is a partnership with LASALLE College of the Arts in Singapore. Four students from LASALLE College of the Arts will be joining our School Research Symposium on June 3rd, 2026. The Symposium is a satellite event of the annual GradX exhibition, providing a collaborative platform for staff and students to jointly present research undertaken throughout the academic year. It is a day of profound inspiration, showcasing the breadth and vitality of research activities within the School of Art and Design.
TU Dublin is also taking part in a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) hosted by Riga Technical University in Latvia. The programme brings together students and lecturers from several European universities that are members of the European University of Technology (EUT+) alliance. During the programme, participants take part in workshops, collaborative design projects, and discussions that encourage creative thinking and interdisciplinary learning.
This year’s programme is the second edition of the BIP. The first was launched by lecturers from the TU Dublin School of Art and Design, Dr Aija Freimane and Benjamin Readman, in March 2025. It was introduced as a new approach to international teaching that combines online learning with short in-person exchanges, allowing students to benefit from both digital and face-to-face collaboration.
During their time in Riga, participating students also had the opportunity to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day abroad. The group met with representatives from the Embassy of Ireland in Latvia at a local pub, including the Deputy Head of Mission, marking the occasion with a shared celebration.
The visit also opened the door for future collaboration. TU Dublin and the Embassy of Ireland in Latvia discussed strengthening their engagement and exploring further opportunities to work together. This builds on the School’s existing strong relationship with the Embassy of Latvia in Ireland and reflects the growing cultural and educational connections between the two countries.
Through initiatives such as COIL and BIP, TU Dublin Art and Design students have the opportunity to work with people from different countries, explore new perspectives, and develop creative responses to real-world challenges. These programmes also help strengthen partnerships between universities and support TU Dublin’s commitment to international learning and innovation in art and design education.