Bethlehem University visits DCU to discuss future research and academic collaborations
20 October 2009

Dr Des McGuinness, Professor Paschal Preston, Professor Richard O'Kennedy, Br Peter Bray, Dr Barbara O’Connor and Professor John Kelly

Br Peter Bray, Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University, accompanied by Professor John Kelly, Executive Director of the Friends of Bethlehem University in Ireland visited DCU on Thursday, 1 October 2009. They met with Professor Richard O'Kennedy, Vice-President for Learning Innovation, Professor Paschal Preston, Head of School of Communications, Dr Barbara O’Connor, Deputy Head of the School of Communications and Dr Des McGuinness, Chair of B.A. in Communication Studies to discuss developing relationships between the two universities including possibilities for joint research, curriculum development and student/ staff exchange.

According to Professor Preston "It has been a real pleasure to welcome the Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University to Dublin City University. Despite the very tough local conditions, including extra-ordinary political and military barriers, Bethlehem University is developing a very interesting and highly relevant programme of teaching and research. The Vice Chancellor's visit has enabled us to further advance our plans for cooperation between the School of Communications in DCU and colleagues in the Bethlehem University. We have discussed how these initial collaborations will focus on the introduction of media and communication studies in Bethlehem as well as developing relevant competencies, exploring common research interests and exchanges of staff and students”