DCU unveils plans for €14m student centre

Dublin City University (DCU) has unveiled plans for a new €14 million student centre that will seek to “reflect the university’s focus on developing a rounded, 21st century graduate”. The new four storey facility in the centre of the Glasnevin campus will seek to create a purpose-built space for students’ “social, cultural, global engagement and entrepreneurial activities”.

DCU students voted to contribute more than €8 million toward the cost of the centre by paying a levy on top of student fees over the coming years. The balance will be raised through contributions from Bank of Ireland, the Anthony Ryan Trust and DCU commercial activities. Construction will commence in 2016 with an expected completion date of early 2018.

The new centre will include multi-function rooms and office space for use by more than 100 student clubs and societies, as well as a dedicated print and broadcast media room.

To “complement the holistic ethos” of the centre, it will physically link to the adjacent university sports complex building to provide a “fully integrated student experience”.

President of DCU Prof Brian Mac Craith said the centre would reflect the college’s ambitions for its students. “The student experience is at the heart of the DCU value system and we believe that our students should have access to a venue and supports which fully reflect our ambitions for them,” he said.

“Our vision is to complement DCU’s student-centric, supportive learning environment with exciting facilities which allow each student to develop the skills necessary to succeed personally, professionally and within their community.”