IADT signs Erasmus Mobility and Inter-Institutional Agreement with Hochschule für Gestaltung und Kunst, Basel
IADT (Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Dún Laoghaire) and Hochschule für Gestaltung und Kunst, Basel FHNW (HGK, Basel) are leaders in education and research for the creative industries in Ireland and Switzerland respectively. At a ceremony at the Embassy of Ireland in Berne, Switzerland on 5 February 2025, David Smith (President of IADT) and Professor Michael Renner (Head of Institute IDCE / Head of MA Digital Communication Environments) signed, in the presence of Ambassador Aoife McGarry, an Erasmus Mobility and Inter-institutional Agreement between the two institutions.
Ambassador Aoife McGarry, Ambassador of Ireland to Switzerland, speaking at the event, said: “I am delighted to see this new agreement established between Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology and the Basel Hochschule für Gestaltung und Kunst. I congratulate the leadership of both institutions on reaching the agreement, and am thrilled to host the signing here at the Embassy. I look forward to the valuable student, faculty and knowledge exchanges it will bring between Ireland and Switzerland. This partnership further deepens the already excellent partnerships between leading third level institutions in Ireland and Switzerland.”
David Smith, President of IADT, said: “Our two organisations share a commitment to teaching, research and engagement with and for the creative industries. Working with our counterparts in Basel over the coming years will allow our staff and students to explore new partnerships and collaboration in areas such as design, communication, and the consequences of the digital revolution, and our institutions to explore novel forms of joint and collaborative education. By working closely with Basel as like-minded centres of excellence and expertise, we can address critical needs across skills, innovation, and applied research for the cultural and creative sectors and industries – recognised as key sectors for both of our nations. I am delighted that Ambassador McGarry could host us in Berne and I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to Professor Michael Renner and Professor Claudia Perren, Director of the HfGK for their commitment to deepening our strategic and academic partnerships.”
HGK, Basel offers a creative environment for studies in art, design and art and design education with a focus on digitality, diversity and sustainability. It forms part of FHNW, one of Switzerland’s leading universities of applied sciences and arts, actively involved in teaching, research, continuing education and service provision – both innovative and practice-oriented. Its broad range of degree programmes, hands-on concept, innovative, application-oriented research and global network make FHNW a diversified and appealing educational institution, a sought-after partner to industry and an attractive employer in northwestern Switzerland.
IADT is Ireland’s campus for the creative industries and a founding member of the European University for film and media arts, FilmEU. From its campus in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland, it offers a range of programmes across film, art, psychology, creative technologies, business, and the humanities. IADT’s recent adoption of its strategic plan 2024-28, ‘Towards a university for the Creative Industries’, sets out its ambitions for innovation and transformation, in the context of strong support for the economic and cultural significance of the creative industries, particularly digital creative industries, in Ireland and across Europe.