DCU President’s Report 2008 Contents 2 - President’s Introduction 6 - Key Information and Metrics 10 - Academic Life & Student Experience 16 - Research & Knowledge Transfer 22 - Governing Authority 26 - Financial Report 2 DCU President’s Report 2008 President’s Introduction Welcome to the President’s Report for 2008. DCU signs historic linkage agreement with three Dublin colleges Honorary Degree for President McAleese and Martin Mc Aleese In February, An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern TD, witnessed the signing of three linkage agreements between Dublin City University and, This unique joint academic honour, on the tenth anniversary of the respectively, the North Dublin educational institutions, St. Patrick’s Good Friday Agreement, was to mark the contribution made by the College, the Mater Dei Institute of Education and All Hallows College. President and Dr. McAleese in building a peaceful society on the island The agreements were signed by the President of DCU, Professor of Ireland through their constant efforts at bridge-building between Ferdinand von Prondzynski, the Most Reverend Diarmuid Martin, all Irish communities, and their outreach to all sections of Northern Archbishop of Dublin and the Reverend Desmond Beirne CM (Trustee Irish society. The President and Dr. McAleese have devoted themselves of All Hallows College). to forging friendships among historic foes, and over the last ten years they have made Áras an Uachtaráin a welcoming house where these The Chancellor of DCU, Mr. David Byrne, former Attorney General and new friendships could develop and prosper. former EU Commissioner, who was present for this landmark educational agreement, will now become Chancellor of the linked The joint award also recognised the President’s distinguished colleges, while his role as chairman of the Governing Authority applies academic career at both the Queen’s University in Belfast and to DCU. Trinity College Dublin where she was Reid Professor of Criminal Law, Criminology and Penology, and her role as Pro Vice Chancellor of the As a result of these agreements, All Hallows College became a college Queen’s University in establishing the Centre for Cross Border Studies. of DCU, and the existing linkages with St Patrick’s College and the Mater Dei Institute were strengthened further, allowing them to be The President of DCU Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski said: “DCU more closely integrated into the university’s academic structures. is delighted to honour the very significant role played by the President and her husband Martin, often with little public attention, in helping The signing of these historic linkage agreements marked a milestone to overcome the legacy of decades of violent conflict in Northern in Irish education and, in particular, DCU’s commitment to Ireland. Their efforts in developing cross- community commitment to engagement with its region and to strong collaboration with the building a peaceful society have assisted a process that is linked colleges in the national interest. transforming life on this island, helping to heal the many deep wounds of the past, and opening up great potential for the future.” Speaking at the signing of the agreements, DCU President Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski said, “I am delighted that these three well-known and important educational institutions are colleges of DCU. As one of the leading universities in Ireland and one of the Dublin City University DCU President’s Report 2008 3 President’s Introduction President’s Introduction DCU, UCD and Tyndall combine to seek commercial research DCU signs historic linkage agreement with three Dublin advances in new technologies colleges top 300 universities worldwide, DCU has in recent years identified the university outreach centre will promote sustainable community development of innovative education policies as one of its development and serve as a bridge to the resources of DCU. strategic priorities. The university, together with its three colleges is the most significant provider in the state of teaching and research The concept of DCU in the Community originated in DCU’s Civic in teacher training, educational policy and related aspects of the Engagement Strategy, led by Professor Ronnie Munck, the Theme Humanities”. Leader for Internationalisation, Interculturalism, and Social Development, in collaboration with the Learning Innovation Unit, In total DCU and the three Colleges enrol over 13,000 students, with Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, School of Nursing, School 10,000 attending DCU, over 2,000 at St. Patrick’s College, 700 at All of Education, Estates Office, Public Affairs and Media Relations, Hallows and 500 attending Mater Dei. The three linked colleges offer Computer Services Department, Educational Services, Access Services, full- and part-time courses both at undergraduate and postgraduate Educational Trust, NorDubCo, Registry, and the Students Union. level. They provide programmes leading to degrees that are validated and accredited by Dublin City University, and their students are The Centre offers a variety of courses aimed at the mature student recognised as students of DCU. audience. The student body is quite diverse and the Centre is truly reaching people that may have once felt intimidated by the idea of university. DCU in the Community DCU has always been aware of its role in supporting key social Appointments objectives, in Ireland and beyond. We have always taken a very direct interest in the regeneration of our neighbourhoods, and have been Director appointed by DCU to Ireland’s first Ethics Institute active, in particular, in Ballymun. DCU was the first university to develop an Access programme for students from socio-economically DCU has appointed a leading international expert in bioethics, Dr Bert disadvantaged backgrounds. March 2008 saw the opening of DCU in Gordijn, to the new Chair of Ethics. Dr Gordijn took over the role of the Community, DCU’s new outreach facility in Ballymun. The Head of DCU’s new Ethics Institute from 1st September, 2008. premises are located in the heart of Ballymun on Shangan Road. Dr Gordijn has studied Philosophy and History at the Universities of The mission of DCU in the Community is to provide flexible Utrecht (Netherlands), Strasbourg (France) and Freiburg in Breisgau educational opportunities to local residents in order to increase (Germany). In 1995 he was awarded a doctorate in Philosophy; in 2003 participation and promote equality in third level education. DCU in he received a doctorate in Bioethics. He was a Visiting Research Fellow the Community recognises the individual talents of each student and at the Centre for Economic and Social Aspects of Genomics at will develop an education pathway appropriate to each student. The Lancaster University (UK), the Center for Clinical Bioethics at Dublin City University 4 DCU President’s Report 2008 President’s Introduction Dr Bert Gordijn, to the new Chair of Ethics Fighting Blindness Vision Research Institute based at DCU Georgetown University (USA) and the Fondation Brocher Helen’s previous roles included 13 years with Intel Ireland, latterly as (Switzerland). Strategic Development Manager and previously as Financial Controller both in Ireland and in the US. Prior to joining Intel, she was Dr Gordijn previously held the post of Lecturer and Clinical Ethicist Financial Controller of Ericsson Ireland. Helen is a Chartered within the Department of Ethics, Philosophy & History of Medicine Accountant and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered at the Radboud University, Nijmegen (Netherlands). He is Secretary of Accountants in Ireland. Helen serves on a number of public and the European Society for Philosophy of Medicine and Health Care, an private sector Boards including the boards of Science Foundation international academic organisation with 450 members from more Ireland, the Digital Hub Development Agency and GS-1 (Ireland) Ltd. than 40 countries. He has been appointed to the Scientific Advisory Board of the European Patent Office, the External Science Advisory Fiontar Faculty members appointed Government advisors on 20 year Panel of the European Chemical Industry Council, and the UNESCO strategic plan for the Irish language expert committee on ethics and nanotechnology. Two Faculty members from FIONTAR, Dublin City University’s school The President of DCU, Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, said: where teaching and research are conducted through Irish in a range of “We are delighted to have such an outstanding academic in this field disciplines including business, communications and information taking up the Chair of Ethics at DCU and leadership of Ireland’s first technology, have been appointed to advise the Department of Ethics Institute”. Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs as they prepare a 20 year strategic plan for the Irish language. Academic Business and Innovation Leader appointed The Minister, Éamon Ó Cuív announced the appointment in the Dail. Ms Helen Keelan commenced work with DCU as an Academic Dr Peadar Ó Flatharta, Director of Fiontar, is in charge of the project Business and Innovation Theme Leader. Helen is a founder director and a working group was formed of highly skilled people with wide of SIRIKIT Ltd. and will help DCU progress the Business & Innovation experience in language planning on a national and international level. theme on a phased basis. Dr Ó Flatharta is a former director of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, former Vice President of The European Bureau for Lesser Used Helen conducted a scoping exercise with the Faculties and Research Languages and a member of Coimisiún na Gaeltachta 2000- 2002. Centre staff and set in motion a variety of plans for the academic year. He has a vast experience in language matters in Ireland and on the This is a new approach to the theme leader role. We hope Helen’s Continent. work will act as a catalyst and allow rapid progress in continuing to embed the Business & Innovation theme across the university. He was joined on the working group by Dr Caoilfhionn Nic Pháidín, Senior Lecturer, Fiontar, also a member of Coimisiún na Gaeltachta 2000- 2002, and a member of Foras na Gaeilge.