The promotion of inter-disciplinary studies will be one of the key strategies for University College Dublin over the next 10 years, the new president of the college has said.
Speaking at the launch of the O'Kane Centre for Film Studies at the university's O'Reilly Hall yesterday, in his first official function as president of the college, Dr Hugh Brady said the college's MA in Film Studies was a "shining example" of this approach.
This was because it offered students the possibility to study a wide variety of modules, ranging from women's studies to American studies and European studies.
The O'Kane Centre, situated in the university's observatory, incorporates a 40-seater dedicated film screening room for students of film.
It has been funded by a sizeable donation from Dr Frank O'Kane of the Mercury Engineering Group. According to Dr Brady, the patronage of Dr O'Kane and other companies, as well as the backing of luminaries such as film director Mr Neil Jordan, film producer Mr Noel Pearson, and U2 manager Mr Paul McGuinness, who also attended the launch, was essential to the continued development of film studies at the college.
By showing their support for the centre, he said, they have shown significant faith both in UCD and in the future of the film centre.
"This is a very exciting and special occasion for UCD and the Irish film industry," he said.
"Film is not just the art form of this age, but it is also very technical . . . this is where the role of patrons is particularly important.
"They are making available to the school the very best of their abilities and experience.
"The observatory is a powerful symbol of what UCD is and should be, in my mind, over the next ten years," he said.
"It combines the very best of tradition and modernity." Speaking to The Irish Times at the launch, Dr O'Kane said he believed the film industry in Ireland presented a "great window" for Irish people to express their talent on an international basis. However, he believed that since projects like these were unlikely to receive much funding from the Government, it was necessary to look elsewhere.
"I think young Irish people are fantastic," he said.
"Everywhere in Europe we are competing . . . what Riverdance did for Ireland was unbelievable. I think we can do as well for Ireland with film."
The centre for film studies at UCD was established in 1991, and offers courses leading to the degrees of MA and Ph.D. It also participates in the Bachelor degree programme at UCD.
Its sister body, the UCD school of film, conducts practical courses in film production and screen writing. According to Dr O'Kane, future plans include the introduction of a number of scholarships for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Other speakers at the launch included Mr Pearson and Dr O'Kane.