DCU 25th Anniversary Year starts 11th November 2005
- 11 November 2005

Dublin City University begins a year of celebration today to mark the 25th Anniversary of a revolution in 3rd level education in Ireland that began on this day in 1980.

On the 11th of November that year, the first 190 students enrolled at the National Institute of Higher Education, Dublin on the campus that was to become Dublin City University.

For the coming year, Ireland’s youngest University will celebrate a quarter of a century as the pioneering third level institution that broke the mould of higher education in this country.

Now with over 10,000 students and 700 postgraduate research students, DCU has become a leading agent of change, constantly introducing new programmes of education to reflect the needs of a fast evolving Irish society, as well as providing world –class research and innovation.

In the last three months alone, DCU has opened the €22.5m Biomedical Diagnostics Institute that aims to produce early warning diagnostic devices for life threatening illnesses, a €10m Centre for Bioanalytical Sciences in partnership with the multinational pharma company Bristol-Myers Squibb, and the €7m Tony Ryan Academy for Entrepreneurship accompanied by a €10m investment fund for entrepreneurs. As a radical University, DCU is a driving force in adapting academic research for entrepreneurial commercial activity to the benefit of the Irish economy.

It has also developed an enviable reputation and significant demand for its programmes in the humanities, including journalism, communications, law and government, as well as innovative combinations of languages and business. A distinctly creative approach has been used to design programmes which cross disciplines to match career choices.

The beginning of the anniversary year will be marked on the 11th November with range of events held by DCU student clubs and societies involving a fashion show with the latest creations from prestigious Irish designer Anne Gregory, a martial arts exhibition, drama, a snowboarding demonstration, debates, and music all day.

There will be a photographic exhibition “25 Years” in the Helix Gallery with pictures and memories of the development and growth of the University and the people who made it happen.

The climax of the day will be a birthday party in the Helix attended by staff, alumni and students.

DCUTIMES, the University’s new magazine published today carries an article by the DCU President Ferdinand von Prondzynski, currently President of the Irish Universities Association, which describes how Irish 3rd level education funding ended up in “free fall”, while the former DCU President, Danny O Hare reveals new information about how the very private philantropist, Irish American Chuck Feeney, funded much of the development of the University. Copies of the magazine will be available from early today.(Friday)

Following the birthday celebrations, again marking the 25th year, on December 5th, DCU’s new Strategic Plan, Leadership through Foresight 2006-2008, will be launched by the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern.

Note to photo editors: There will be a photocall with the President of DCU, Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, cutting a specially baked 25th Anniversary cake accompanied by the Style Society fashion models at 12.30 pm in the Helix on the 11th November.

ENDS