President's Welcome 2020-2021
Emerging from the ‘Covid fog’, the 2020-21 academic year commenced with cautious optimism.
Prof Daire Keogh
We understood that University life would never return to the old normal, but it was hugely gratifying to welcome students back on to campus to begin shaping our future together. Mask-wearing and public health measures remained a feature of the student and staff experience. But on the positive side, we were able to deliver teaching and learning in person rather than via a screen.
As a University that prizes personal connection and “people first” values, this was hugely important. I am proud of our students who continued to display extraordinary resilience, while the commitment and personal care shown by staff was, as always, exemplary.
Given the extraordinary challenges faced and overcome by the DCU Community in recent times, it was particularly pleasing to be named The Sunday Times University of the Year 2021. The citation noted the supports offered to students during the lockdown period and also highlighted our record as a champion of social mobility and inclusion. It was also gratifying to see DCU being ranked first in Ireland for its graduate employment rate, and 23rd in the world, in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings.
As our research summary indicates, DCU researchers continued to make a big impact in areas as diverse as cancer, entrepreneurship, misinformation, manufacturing, and, indeed, star formation. We also forged new partnerships with enterprise and stakeholders; we developed new relationships with our communities in north Dublin through the arts and sport. We welcomed new team members, a new Governing Authority, and Brid Horan as Chancellor. Meanwhile, the University advanced its commitment to sustainability with the launch of our Climate Action Plan 2021-2026 - an ambitious blueprint that will inform our actions to tackle the greatest challenge of our era. These were just some of the many important achievements, honours and milestones of the past year. Overall, I hope his report captures the spirit of optimism and progress that we have seen as we emerge from the Covid crisis.
Regards,
Prof Daire Keogh
President, Dublin City University