DCU Arts and Culture header
DCU Arts and Culture
Five people sit on chairs on a stage in front of a screen, four of them are wearing grey suits and one is wearing a red blazer
Panel discussion at the event. (L-R) Des O’Leary (MD, Catapult), Alistair Hay (Founder, Emerald Guitars), Billy Hanley (Scaling and Development Advisor, Enterprise Ireland), Prof. Barbara Flood (DCU), Will Goodbody (Head of External Communications at AIB)

DCU and AIB mark 30 years of partnership

The relationship between Dublin City University and AIB was celebrated at an event held in AIB Headquarters in Molesworth Street.

AIB has been a key partner with DCU for three decades, supporting the University in its delivery of shared, and national, strategic priorities of Talent Development, Research, and Enterprise.

AIB’s partnership with  DCU’s National Centre for Family Business (DCU NCFB) has enabled the centre to support families in business, the backbone of the Irish economy. Backed by AIB, NCFB has produced important research on themes such as succession, gender and resilience in family businesses.

One of the key economic challenges to the Irish economy in the past decade has been Britain’s decision to leave the European Union. AIB’s support as founding partner of the DCU Brexit Institute enabled the research centre to establish itself as the leading platform for documenting and debating developments in relations between the UK and EU, and driving towards DCU’s commitment to position itself as a leading European research institution.

Laura Mahoney, Prof Daire Keogh, Claire Whelehan and John Brennan (AIB)
Laura Mahoney (Executive Director of Engagement at DCU), DCU President Professor Dáire Keogh, Claire Whelehan (Director of Philanthropy at DCU) and John Brennan (Head of Products at AIB)

This support of vital research is continuing, with AIB’s ongoing commitment to support research in DCU’s Business School. This commitment extends to  technological and corporate innovation, family business, sustainable finance and fintech.

Together, DCU and AIB have provided students with opportunities to develop their real-world experience and enhance their educational experience. AIB has championed DCU’s STInt Programme, a unique national initiative providing primary and post primary teachers with paid STEM internships to help inspire innovative learning and embed university-enterprise links. AIB also continues to back DCU’s Access Programme.

AIB’s support has also extended to a number of other key research projects including appointing Ireland’s first Chair in Data Analytics. There are currently more than 400 DCU alumni on the AIB team, with many part of the DCU Alumni Mentoring Programme. The bank has also been a key supporter of DCU’s cultural and artistic priorities.

DCU President Professor Dáire Keogh said;

“This is a partnership with real impact – from creating opportunities, to advancing research that shapes business and society. We are deeply grateful to AIB for their vision and sustained commitment.”

John Brennan of AIB and Prof Daire Keogh of DCU signing an MoU.