The president of DCU, Prof Ferdinand von Prondzynski, has urged students to consider careers in science and technology despite the recent spate of job losses in high-tech industries.
He said that, contrary to negative views from some, State agencies were predicting a shortfall of IT and science graduates rather than a lack of jobs.
"We do not predict a fall in demand for highly-skilled university graduates. In fact, the demand for computer scientists, software engineers/programmers, physicists and mathematicians is predicted to grow in the coming years," said Prof von Prondzynski.
DCU, because of its strengths and emphasis on computers, has suffered this year in the move away from IT and science-related courses.
CAO figures released last week show applications for computer and science courses in sharp decline.
The president was speaking at the announcement of a $1 million donation to the college by US company LAM Corporation.
"Towards the end of last year, commentators were interpreting company announcements in the IT sector as indications that a slump was imminent.
"Indeed, the fall in CAO applications for computer applications/science this year is a direct response to job-loss announcements," he said.
However, 90 per cent of the job losses in the technology sector in the last nine months were in the "relatively low-skilled areas of assembly and manufacturing".
"Over the coming four years Forfás predicts an annual shortfall of 2,492 engineering and computer science professionals and 840 technicians.
"Ireland has successfully encouraged many technology giants to set up R&D, as well as sales and marketing functions here.
"In addition, we have a large indigenous software development sector that will continue to look for high-quality graduates," Prof von Prondzynski said.
"I would urge young people and their advisers to look at the science and technology areas as worlds of discovery which have excellent potential for exciting and financially-rewarding careers," he said.