Notre Dame Global in Photos: November 2025 | News | Notre Dame Dublin

November showcased the value of Notre Dame’s global community coming together through learning, collaboration, and cultural exchange. In São Paulo, faculty gathered for the pre-COP "Bridging Worlds" conference to advance interdisciplinary climate research, while University President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., celebrated Mass and connected with students and staff in Rome. Artists-in-residence at Kylemore explored the history and landscapes of Inis Mór in the West of Ireland, while graduate students in London participated in interdisciplinary discussions and explored potential collaborative opportunities. In Dublin, the arts community celebrated the legacy of poet Derek Mahon, sharing readings and performances in his honor.

Faculty and staff explored clinical and research partnerships in Nairobi, alumni led service projects in Hong Kong, and students in Santiago reflected on human rights during their excursions. In Beijing, Notre Dame alumni shared their experiences studying at Peking University’s Yenching Academy. On campus, graduate students from Oaxaca, Mexico, took part in a six-week global health research program, and the Global Engagement Programs team brought international exchange students, returnees, and outbound study abroad participants together for food, conversation, and interactive learning.

This photo gallery highlights some of the valuable interactions and experiences Notre Dame faculty, staff, and students have taken part in over the past month.

The selection was curated by Notre Dame Global staff working on campus and in the University's 12 global locations.

São Paulo

Notre Dame São Paulo co-organized and hosted the pre-COP conference, Bridging Worlds: Cultivating Research Partnerships for Climate Hope, at the University of São Paulo (USP). The event convened 12 Notre Dame faculty members and 21 faculty and scholars from several leading Brazilian universities. During the two-day event, participants shared insights and concerns about climate-related issues and emphasized the need for interdisciplinary partnerships to strengthen research and advance climate-focused collaboration.

Rome

Students gather as three priests in white vestments officiate a service at the altar of the Basilica of Saint Clement. The historic church's interior features ornate frescoes, columns, and a mosaic floor. Students hold books, attentively observing.

University President, Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., took the opportunity to connect with the Notre Dame community in Rome. He celebrated Mass at the Basilica of San Clemente and met with students, faculty, and staff to learn more about their academic experiences and ongoing initiatives, further strengthening the connection between Notre Dame Rome and the University.

Beijing

Two men and one woman smile and converse at a light brown conference table. A woman in a brown cardigan sits across from a man in a black shirt, who gestures. Another man in a striped polo and brown cardigan smiles between them. Tall octagonal windows reveal autumn trees outside.

Jingyu Wang, executive director of Notre Dame Beijing, met with Notre Dame alumni currently studying at Peking University’s (PKU) Yenching Academy as graduate students. The gathering provided an opportunity to learn about the students' academic pursuits and how they are experiencing life at PKU.

Kylemore

A group hikes on a grassy path through jagged grey limestone rocks under a dramatic sky. A bright rainbow arcs across the dark clouds. Hikers wear various jackets; one in a red, white, blue hat photographs the scene.

The fall 2025 artists-in-residence at Notre Dame Kylemore explored Inis Mór, the largest and most popular of the three Aran Islands, located in the west of Ireland. The group spent the day with archaeologist Michael Gibbons, taking in sweeping views and even a few rainbows along the way.

London

Three women at a wooden table. A woman in a red sweater and glasses listens intently. Another woman in a white shirt and patterned scarf gestures with open hands while speaking. A third woman in a striped top is partially visible in the foreground.

Notre Dame London hosted its second annual gathering of Notre Dame alumni pursuing postgraduate education across the United Kingdom. The Graduate Research Day included an interdisciplinary discussion of this year’s forum topic, Cultivating Hope, and an exploration of potential future collaborations. From the University of Edinburgh, to Oxford and Cambridge, and as close as the London School of Economics (LSE), these graduate students are part of the growing community of UK scholars with connections to Notre Dame.

Dublin

Six older adults, four men and two women, stand facing forward on a wooden stage. Empty rows of orange theater seats are visible in the dark background. Their varied attire includes a pinstripe suit, an embroidered velvet dress, a bright orange scarf, and a blue sweater vest.

Notre Dame Dublin joined The Gallery Press, Ireland’s premier publisher of poetry, in celebrating the genius of Derek Mahon to mark the fifth anniversary of his death. Nearly 300 friends, family, and artists gathered to share memories, read his poetry, and watch never-before-seen recordings of Mahon’s work. Special guest readers included Paul Muldoon, Eileán Ní Chuilleanáin, John Banville, Katy Mahon, Stephen Rea, and Peter Fallon.

Nairobi

Four smiling people, a man in a white lab coat, a man in a gray suit, a woman in a gray blazer, and a man in a blue suit with a backpack, stand in a bright hospital hallway with a CT-Scan sign.

Yiyu Shi, professor of computer science and engineering at Notre Dame, delivered a keynote lecture on AI in healthcare at the Global Data Science and AI Conference, held at Strathmore University in Nairobi. During his visit to Notre Dame Nairobi, he also toured Nairobi West Hospital and Ruai Family Hospital—two institutions with which Notre Dame is developing new clinical and research partnerships.

Hong Kong

Notre Dame Hong Kong and the ND Hong Kong Alumni Club joined forces to organize a service day at a home for people with disabilities, bringing volunteers together to create Christmas cards, repair furniture, and share time—and plenty of fun—playing basketball with the residents.

Jerusalem

Fourteen smiling men and women, of diverse ages and ethnicities, stand in a bright room. Most wear business casual clothing. A framed Notre Dame "Fightin' Irish" banner hangs above them.

Colleagues from Notre Dame Jerusalem were honored to welcome John T. “Jack” Butler, S.J., to the University’s campus in Jerusalem. Fr. Jack currently serves as the Haub Vice President for University Mission and Ministry and is set to become the 26th President of Boston College in the summer of 2026.

Santiago

A diverse group of 16 smiling young adults and one older man pose happily outdoors on green grass. Some wave while casually dressed, with palm trees and a building with a metal staircase behind them.

Notre Dame Santiago wrapped up the fall semester by gathering at a host family’s home to reflect on their experiences and celebrate the conclusion of the program. During the semester, students participated in several excursions, including a human rights overwatch visit led by longtime ND Santiago collaborator Pedro Matta, a survivor of Villa Grimaldi. The visit included stops at Villa Grimaldi—formerly a torture site during the dictatorship—and the Cementerio General. Students also took part in a three-hour horseback ride along the beach that ended with a traditional Chilean barbecue, as well as an excursion to Pomaire, a small town best known for its traditional pottery and handcrafted goods.

Mexico

Three smiling women stand on a sunny fall day in front of the University of Notre Dame's Hesburgh Library and its "Word of Life" mural. The woman on the left wears a red hat and blue poncho. The woman in the middle wears a striped sweater and glasses. The woman on the right wears a gray and black jacket.

Notre Dame Mexico launched a new initiative bringing three graduate students from Oaxaca to the University of Notre Dame for a six-week global health research program, in collaboration with the State Government of Oaxaca and the US Embassy. Supported by COMEXUS, Notre Dame Global, and Notre Dame Mexico, the students engaged with faculty and connected their work in Oaxaca to global health projects on campus.

ISSA

The International Student and Scholar Affairs (ISSA) team organized a Thanksgiving celebration hosted by members of the Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley. Twenty students from 16 countries were welcomed by six host families, all members of the club, for an evening of food, conversation, and community. This photo captures just one of the host families’ gatherings.

Global Engagement Programs

Students or attendees gather at green-clothed tables, eating and socializing. A man in a blue jacket wears a cap, another has visible arm tattoos. A woman in a dark top smiles while a woman in a cream sweater looks at her phone. A projector screen displays a map and a 'Welcome European D' sign.

The Global Engagement Programs (GEP) team hosted its annual regional dinner, bringing together international exchange students, returnees, and outbound study abroad participants from the same locations to enjoy international food, share intercultural reflections, and build new friendships.

Originally published by Cory Hankins at global.nd.edu on December 11, 2025.