College Focus/DCU: DCU has had an extensive expansion programme since it burst onto the scene in 1975. Anne Byrne reports on its progress since then
DCU is one of two new universities on the block. It was born in 975, as the National Institute for Higher Education, Dublin, and, together with NIHE Limerick, became a university in 1989.
This is an advantage in that all of DCU's campus buildings are purpose built, with the exception of the 19th century administration building, which was formerly Albert College. The disadvantage is that must prove itself, and compete for research funding against longer-established colleges.
For the past two decades, DCU's north Dublin campus has been a building site with cranes continuously present. A new library has recently been completed, as has a multi-storey car park. The £30 million arts centre, which includes a concert hall that will seat 1,200 people, is almost complete. Engineering and arts buildings are under construction. The canteen has been refurbished. A further 450 on-campus residences are scheduled to open next autumn, while the college recently received sanction to build a 25-metre pool. When this is finished, in 15 months' time, there won't be a square inch left to build on.
But the new president, Dr Ferdinand von Prondzynsyi, is not yet content. He would like to retain the cranes and demolish and replace the Henry Grattan building, one of the first of the new buildings.
DCU is not confined to one campus. There are also other sites, nearby, providing sports pitches, and other sites are under discussion.
Von Prondzynsyi was appointed in 2000, replacing Danny O'Hare, whose vision brought DCU to fruition. DCU was very much O'Hare's baby. As one ex-staff member put it: "if you wanted to sneeze in the corridor, you'd have to ask Danny first." The new president appears to be committed to a more hands-off approach and has already appointed a vice-president, who looks after the day-to-day running of the college. He is in the process of appointing a further vice-president, who will be responsible for research.
However, his vision of the college as a business is unlikely to gain unanimous support. Von Prondzynsyi has produced a strategic plan for DCU, focusing on academic themes rather than individual schools or faculties.
"Universities are not just educators, they are engines of economic growth." He is committed to generating income from sources other than the State. "We are undertaking a commercialisation." To those who say he is overly committed to a business model, he says the college must generate an income to resource activities. "We have always been a business. We have sold our products. We sell education. We have a core mission to develop and distribute knowledge . . . we need to speak the language of business. The alternative is to consider ourselves as pure only if we receive State money and decline. We must bear in mind that State money comes with more strings attached than money from other sources.
"One of the things we want to resource is the university's mission in the social agenda. Close to us, we have some of the most deprived areas of Dublin. We are very determined to play a significant role there but to do that we need money." The college's North Dublin Access Programme, established in 1996, works with designated disadvantaged schools in north Dublin to encourage students to progress to third level. It also sponsors the science bus, which visits national schools involved in the scheme. The bus allows students to carry out experiments and helps generate an interest in science. This year, 55 students were admitted to DCU under the access programme.
Oscail, the national distance education centre, which is based in DCU, has been providing distance education to adults since 1982. There are 1,000 new students taking part in its undergraduate programmes this year. Oscail works in partnership with Irish universities, third-level institutions and professional bodies. No previous qualifications are required for students over 23 years of age (www.oscail.ie).
Also reaching across borders, DCU offers an MSc in science communication, jointly with QUB, and has a shared institution with QUB, the Centre for Cross-Border Studies, in Armagh.
Back in Dublin, research in DCU is focused on cellular biotechnology, sensors, plasma and vacuum research and aspects of electronic engineering and software, according to von Prondzynsyi. "To make a real impact, we need to build up alliances, in Ireland and abroad. We are in discussions with institutions in Australia, the US, China and Scotland," he says.
The college is largely known as a "techie university", with a strong reputation in information technology, engineering and science, although when asked for a list of well-known graduates, EL was supplied with the names of three journalists and a pianist. The annual arts week has brought a taste of the arts to DCU; the new arts centre should make that experience a part of everyday life on campus.
While von Prondzynsyi did not mention the type of experience students are likely to enjoy on campus, students' union president Derek Scanlon is enthusiastic. "This is a wonderful university, possibly one of the best places you can attend college after school. There is a great emphasis on extra-curricular activities, through clubs and societies. We are the first university to formally recognise participation in extra-curricular activities. This year, students were given an award, after graduation," he says.
