March Ezine

The severe weather conditions of last week posed major challenges for students, staff and the University as a whole. I hope you will agree that the communications and management of the crisis were carried out very professionally. I want to thank everyone involved across the University and the DCU Commercial group of companies for their contributions and cooperation throughout the ‘snow period’. I want to make special mention of the great work of the Emergency Management Team, including the Estates Office, Security and Health & Safety teams. The photograph above of Vlad from Trispace Catering captures the resilience of the University community very well!

The Government’s recently launched initiative, Project Ireland 2040, has laid out a multi-billion euro national planning framework for the country.  There is much in the associated documents that will be of interest to the DCU community.  It is very pleasing to note the commitment to the construction of Metro Link, a much needed addition to public transport infrastructure in North Dublin.  There will be a number of Metro stations adjacent to DCU campuses, although not in the locations indicated over recent years.  The three most relevant stations will be at Crossguns Bridge, Griffith Park West, and at the junction of Ballymun Road and Collins’ Avenue

In addition, exchequer funding of €2.2 billion will be provided in support of Higher Education infrastructure priorities alongside continued investment in human capital through research funding.  We look forward to playing our part in the roll-out of this ambitious plan for our country and our region. 

Click here to read the plan in full. 

On February 14, we recognised three colleagues who have made outstanding contributions to research at DCU. Professor Liam Barry of the School of Electronic Engineering was acknowledged for his work in the area of optical communications. Dr Eoin O’Malley of the School of Law & Government was honoured for his extensive work on cabinet government and public policy. Also from the School of Law & Government, Dr Paola Rivetti was presented with the inaugural President’s Early Stage Research Award for her body of work on peace-making and building in the Middle East. Congratulations to all three on their well-deserved recognition.

We are very proud that DCU has been presented with a Green Flag for Environmental Education, Management and Action for a second time in recognition of the university’s ongoing commitment to continuous environmental improvement. This renewal includes, for the first time, our St. Patricks Campus. This award recognises a broad range of sustainability initiatives across our campuses and, in patiular, the work of our Green Committee and Sustainability Manger, Samantha Fahey. Congrats to all involved

Good news for DCU in the latest subject rankings from QS. We have maintained our strong positions across a number of disciplines. Our Communications and Media Studies activity is ranked in the top 150 in the world, with Politics and International Studies in the top 200, Modern Languages and Computer Science in the top 250, closely followed by Business, English and Law in the top 300. Well done to all our staff involved in those disciplinary areas.

A new strategic partnership involving DCU and Shelbourne FC will see the university add a new element to its spectrum of sporting engagements. DCU has become the main sponsor for the team for the coming 12 months and is developing a range of initiatives within the partnership framework. Scholarships will be made available to gifted soccer players wishing to develop their sporting talents while accessing a DCU education. Click here to read more.

In other sport news, GAA Dóchas Éireann hurling team achieved a historic first when they qualified for the final the Fitzgibbon Cup. Unfortunately, despite valiant efforts, the team did not claim victory this time but the future certainly looks bright for hurling at DCU.

In partnership with Allied Irish Bank, the university has established a Chair in Data Analytics. I am delighted to announce that Professor Tomás Ward has been appointed to the position. Tomás brings a wealth of experience which includes academic research in the application of neurotechnology for neurorehabilitation, particularly in stroke victims, and in the broader area of signal processing for connected health.

The annual DCU Alumni Awards will celebrate the wonderful achievements of our alumni across the globe in a gala ceremony on Friday 20th April. With ten awardees to be added to the Alumni Wall and five special awards for outstanding contribution, we are looking forward to a wonderful night of celebration, entertainment and recognition. To register your attendance, email alumni@dcu.ie.

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mandy Johnston as DCU's new Director of Communications. Mandy will have full responsibility for the development and execution of internal and external communications for the university across all platforms. A former Special Advisor (Northern Ireland Affairs) in the Department of An Taoiseach, Irish Government Press Secretary and Press Director at the Department of Finance, Mandy has over twenty years’ experience across the public and private sector. Mandy will act as key advisor to me and will play a central role in advancing the profile of DCU both nationally and globally.

I am delighted to celebrate the inclusion of the DCU journal, Studia Hibernica, in the Scopus database of journals and I wish to offer my special congratulation to its editors, James Kelly and Uáitéar MacGearailt. Studia Hibernica is a peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary journal devoted to the publication of research in Irish Studies - specifically history, geography, music, folklore, language and literature in Irish and in English. Significantly, the journal is published bilingually. Established in 1961, by Donal Cregan CM, president of St Patrick's College and after whom the library on that campus is named, the journal is published by Liverpool University Press. The editorial committee is chaired by the Deputy President and includes colleagues from the Schools of Fiontar agus Gaeilge, and History and Geography, and English.

The first step in DCU’s plan to contribute to the establishment of a North Dublin Cultural Quarter will be a 2-day event (Anam) on April 11 and 12. Anam will comprise music, poetry, drama, film, workshops and discussions across all three of our campuses. The event will showcase some of DCU’s most talented staff and students together with leading Irish artists, musicians and writers from the North Dublin region. The highlight of Anam will be a flagship concert in The Helix on the evening of Wednesday, April 11.