DCU President signs Campus Engage Charter

Dublin City University President, Prof. Brian MacCraith, was one of 20 Presidents of Ireland’s Higher Education Institutions to sign up to the 10 point Campus Engage Charter on Civic and Community Engagement at a landmark event at Dublin Castle recently. Under the charter, the presidents underscored their commitment to the civic and community engagement role and responsibilities of their institutions.

The launch of an Irish Charter for Civic and Community Engagement builds on the pioneering actions taken by other countries including Australia, UK and the US, who have signed up to similar agreements at national level to support and strengthen the civic role and responsibilities of higher education.

The Charter was developed by Campus Engage, a HEA funded, national initiative with representation from 17 Higher Education Institutions, including DCU. Its role is to promote innovative teaching, learning and other activities in the area of civic and community engagement.

Launching the Charter, Minister for Education and Skills, Mr. Ruairi Quinn T.D said, “Today is an important recognition of commitment by Ireland’s higher education institutions to build on what has been achieved to date and place Ireland at the fore internationally in terms of promoting civic and community engagement by higher education.  The importance of ‘engagement’ is recognised in the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030, and in the HEA’s performance framework, which both ask higher education institutions to engage openly with their community and wider society and for this to infuse every aspect of their mission.   I congratulate all involved in the realisation of the Charter, and specifically to the Presidents for their commitment.”