DCU begins five-year innovation strategy

DUBLIN CITY University (DCU) has launched an ambitious five-year strategic plan, designed to make it one of the word’s most innovative higher education colleges. The plan, Transforming Lives and Societies, was launched by Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn yesterday.

Unusually, the plan adopts a rolling process of annual “review and renew”, allowing the university to revise and develop strategic objectives where necessary. It will also review its performance annually using both national and international comparisons.

DCU president Prof Brian MacCraith said the plan outlined “many important developments that DCU will deliver over the next five years, including pioneering initiatives in education, research and innovation; significant new partnerships; and a commitment to optimise the learning and personal development experience of every DCU student”.

Key elements of the plan include:

a 21st-century digital campus to underpin a new centre for digital learning;

ambitious research goals to reinforce DCU’s reputation as a research-initiative university;

expansion of the student centre to include new social, cultural and enterprise hubs;

a new student accelerator programme, whereby students will have the opportunity to develop start-ups;

establishment of DCU as Ireland’s leading university for social entrepreneurship; and

strengthening of DCU’s reputation as Ireland’s most enterprise-engaged university through research, innovation, education, internships and secondments.

Mr Quinn expressed confidence in the plan, adding: “I know that the leadership of this university and its strong, committed staff, both academic and non-academic, and its vibrant student body combine to form a significant force for change both within these walls and outwards into wider society.”