New DCU Strategic Plan 2006-2008
- 29 November 2005

• Cut dependence on student funding from the state – 70 per cent from other sources
• Secure research investments worth at least €50m
• 20 more world class scientists and international researchers
• 25 per cent of places for non-traditional students
• 20 per cent more postgraduate researchers

Ireland’s leading research university today revealed a radical plan to achieve new goals for higher education in the 21st century.

The university will complete the appointment of 6 revolutionary Theme Leaders to cross academic disciplines and drive change, attracting further investment and strategic partnerships.

DCU will also reinvent the education portfolio to meet student needs and national priorities, overhauling the curriculum and retiring older programmes.

A key objective is to avoid excessive reliance on public funding. The university will ensure that by 2008 at least 70 per cent of total revenues come from sources other than the HEA recurrent grant and HEA paid fees.

DCU is committed to partnership with government and industry to secure R&D investment in Ireland and will initiate at least two major projects supporting knowledge – intensive economic development with a total value of at least €50m.

DCU will strengthen its scholarship with the number of recognised world experts working in the university rising by at least 20 during the plan. The university will become an internationally recognised, interdisciplinary, research -intensive institution.

DCU will also enter into a strategic alliance with one or more higher education institutions in Ireland or overseas, and one or more business or voluntary organisations, benchmarking itself against these partners, and seeking at least three joint research funding projects with them.

The University will be a leader in the development of Ireland’s Fourth level. The OECD review of higher education said that significant growth is needed in postgraduate research if Ireland is to be internationally competitive. DCU intends to increase postgraduate research student numbers by 20 per cent working in priority areas.

Following decades of success in paid placements for undergraduates, DCU will develop an industrial postgraduate internship programme, and the Fourth Level will be supported with a newly appointed Dean of Postgraduate Studies.

The university has led the way providing access to higher education for disadvantaged students – its programme was the first in this country and it is still the largest. DCU will deepen its commitment to Ireland’s social and economic development with at least 25 per cent of the student population coming from non-traditional groups by 2008.

The President of DCU Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski said :” DCU is Ireland’s youngest University, just 25 years old, but it broke the mould of 3rd level education, pioneering new ways of teaching, connecting with the world of industry and employment as a radical agent of change, providing inspiration and leadership.

“Once again DCU is leading the way with this radical plan that will revolutionise higher education again, making the university more self-reliant, promoting a culture of enterprise and risk taking, while leading in technological innovation, ethical awareness and social inclusion. DCU is the university of the future, striking the right balance between the needs of the 21st century economy and building a society in which we can all take pride.”

ENDS