DCU opens €45.5 million research and engineering centre President stresses employment opportunities in third level research
26 September 2002

Dr. Nicholas Dunne and His Excellency Richard J Egan

Dr Aisling McEvoy

The US Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency Richard J Egan, opened a new €45.5 million facility at DCU (Dublin City University), which will house three national research centres and the faculty of engineering and design. The construction of the building cost €30 million (€19 million for engineering and €11 million for research) with a further €15.5 million for capital research equipment.

Finance for the research centres was won competitively under Cycle I of the Higher Education Authority's PRTLI (programme for research in third level institutions) 1999 and it is the first facility of its kind to be completed in Ireland. The funding for the engineering faculty came from the Department of Education and Science through the HEA as a result of the skills initiative to encourage students into the sector.

Speaking at the opening of the building the president of the university, Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski drew attention to the employment potential in the research area. "Within these three centres and the faculty of engineering we employ over 300 highly qualified experts who are carrying out research which can and does change the world in which we live. In addition, we work closely with companies who are interested in commercialising some of our ideas and they too employ many highly paid graduates. Universities and institutes of technology should be seen as important employers who offer the additional benefit of providing excellent lecturers and supervisors to the next generation." The most effective way to ensure technology is transferred from the university laboratory to the market place is through the provision of research opportunities for graduates who are then employed by industry. "DCU has a strong tradition of fostering links with industry and Government support through initiatives such as PRTLI and Science Foundation Ireland are crucial for the creation of high-level jobs and economic prosperity." He added.