Dublin City University
Dublin City University (DCU) is situated in Glasnevin on the north side of Dublin, Ireland. Created as the National Institute for Higher Education, Dublin in 1975, it enrolled its first students in 1980 and was elevated to university status in 1989.The founding president of the institution was Dr Danny O'Hare, who retired in 1999. The current president is Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski.
Aerial Photo of DCU in 1998 looking East
There are currently six faculties:
- DCU Business School - DCUBS
- Faculty of Engineering & Computing
- Faculty of Science & Health
- Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences
- Joint Faculty of Education Studies
- Oscail - National Distance Education Centre
The institution also confers degrees for programmes run by All Hallows College, Dublin.
The early focus of the institution was, in particular, on science and technology although it has also had a large business school. It has recently developed a presence also in the performing arts and in the humanities. It is also famous for its work placement or INTRA programme, the first such programme in Ireland.
The institution has a particularly strong research record, and has regularly been recorded as bringing in more research income per members of faculty than any other university in Ireland. Its research team working on sensors at the National Centre for Sensor Research is counted as one of the best in the world.
The institution is also famous for its Centre for Talented Youth and is the location for The Helix a purpose built "performance space", which includes Ireland's largest concert hall, the Mahony Hall. Currently the institution graduates are not eligible to vote for Ireland's upper chamber, Seanad ÃÂÃÂireann, this is under review.
Since 1979 the institution is located on a modern 85 acre site 3 miles from the city centre, just north of Albert Park; the Albert College Building is the only significant remaining building from before this period. Entrances are from Ballymun Road and Collins Avenue.
The land on which the institution is based was once the Albert Agricultural College in Glasnevin, previously called the Glasnevin Model Farm. Until 1978 the Faculty of Agriculture, University College Dublin had ownership of the site. The Henry Grattan building was the first new building completed in 1981 along with the adjoining restaurant, many building have been added since.