UCD AMONG TOP 100 UNIVERSITIES IN THE WORLD
UCD is ranked 100th in the world in the latest QS World University Rankings. This significant milestone marks an increase of 18 places from last year and follows UCD’s sustained upward trajectory of recent years. It is a recognition of the University’s ambition and success across research, education, and global engagement.
High-impact research
Research Impact is one of the key indicators earning UCD its place in the global top 100. UCD is now number one in Ireland for Citations per Faculty (up 49 places) and International Research Network (up 57 places). Additionally, UCD places among the top 20 European universities for Horizon Europe funding for research and innovation.
Gains in reputation and sustainability
The latest rankings see UCD’s largest-ever increase in Employer Reputation (up 36 places), while Academic Reputation also increased (up five places). The University also continues to perform strongly in employability, remaining in the global top 100 for Employment Outcomes for graduates. Meanwhile, UCD’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its ranking of 47th globally for this indicator.
Community and partnership
UCD’s achievement comes amid intensifying global competition, with thousands of institutions assessed annually for inclusion in the rankings. The University’s success and impact are driven by the support and commitment of everyone in our UCD community – faculty, students, staff, alumni and partners.
UCD CLINICAL RESEARCH CENTRE CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF TRANSFORMING PATIENT CARE
UCD Clinical Research Centre (CRC) at UCD School of Medicine celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. This milestone marks two decades of life-changing clinical research, bringing pioneering treatments from the laboratory to the patient’s bedside, and giving thousands of people access to clinical trials that have changed and saved lives.
UCD CRC is Ireland’s largest academic clinical research centre. It is unique in its broad focus on different diseases and health conditions, and its extensive support of the patient journey. Operating via a collaborative network of hospitals and primary care facilities, the CRC has enabled over 25,000 patients to access new therapies and enhanced medical care in Ireland over the past 20 years.
To date, the Centre has supported over €200 million in research funding for clinical studies that have yielded transformational outcomes. Landmark achievements include the development of life-altering CFTR (Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator) treatments for Cystic Fibrosis, as well as groundbreaking trials in respiratory diseases, rare diseases, and cancers.
During the Covid-19 crisis, the CRC participated in early interventional trials that helped to change the global course of the pandemic. In the wake of Brexit, the Centre partnered with UK universities to allow critical cancer trials to continue, ensuring vulnerable patients did not lose access to essential care.
The 20th anniversary of UCD CRC was commemorated with the launch of a special book at an event at UCD. 20 Voices captures the profound human impact of the Centre through the personal stories of the patients, staff and leaders who built, supported and experienced the journey of UCD CRC.
TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE FOR SUSTAINABILITY
UCD continues to rise in the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability and has earned a place among the top 50 universities worldwide for Sustainability for the third consecutive year. Across the University, staff and students are committed to taking action and finding creative and ambitious solutions to sustainability challenges.
Organic digester tackles food waste on campus
UCD is the first university in Ireland to install an aerobic digester to help reduce campus waste. Oxygen and microbes turn food and green waste from campus restaurants into a nutrient-rich substrate, used as a soil enricher. The newly installed system benefits the environment and saves money that would be spent on waste disposal.
Circularity on campus with UCD-grown mushrooms
A small mushroom farm run by student volunteers is using discarded coffee grounds from the University Club to grow oyster mushrooms, which are then used in the Club’s restaurant. Dr Dimitrios Argyropoulos of UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering has been involved in the project, located at the UCD Greenacre Sustainability Hub.
Reusable cup use doubles in UCD cafes
The number of hot drinks sold in keep cups across UCD’s cafes and restaurants has doubled this year. A 50c charge on disposable dinnerware in the main restaurant has also resulted in a 54% reduction in wasteful packaging.
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF AGRICULTURE AT UCD
This year, UCD proudly celebrates a century of agricultural education, research and innovation. In the 100 years since the establishment of the Faculty of Agriculture, UCD has made extraordinary contributions to agriculture and food science, and has played a central role in advancing agricultural knowledge, supporting rural communities and driving innovation across the agri-food sector.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD hosted a special commemorative event in Government Buildings to mark the centenary of the University Education (Agriculture and Dairy Science) Act 1926, legislation that established the Faculty of Agriculture at University College Dublin and the Faculty of Dairy Science at University College Cork.
UCD’s centenary celebrations have included the launch of a new book, A History of Agriculture at UCD, which traces the development of agricultural education at UCD from the Glasnevin Model Farm and Albert Agricultural College through to the establishment of the Faculty of Agriculture and its contribution to Ireland’s agricultural, food and rural development sectors.
Today, UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science educates approximately 3,000 students across 17 undergraduate and 16 graduate taught programmes. The School’s global reputation is reflected in international rankings, with UCD currently placed 7th in Europe and 43rd in the world for Agricultural Sciences, and 3rd in Europe and 24th globally for Food Science and Technology, by U.S. News & World Report.
JEFFREY SACHS VISITS UCD
World-renowned economist and global leader in sustainable development Jeffrey Sachs visited UCD in March to take part in a series of events. Professor Sachs was previously awarded UCD’s highest honour, the UCD Ulysses Medal, in 2016, in recognition of his outstanding global contributions.
AI PIONEER GEOFFREY HINTON VISITS UCD
One of the world’s most influential AI researchers, Professor Geoffrey Hinton, visited UCD in June to give a lecture to UCD students and faculty. In his talk, ‘Are We Creating Alien Beings?’, Professor Hinton spoke of how humans might potentially co-exist with superintelligent AI, and reflected on the potential dangers of increasingly capable AI systems and the need for robust safety research and international cooperation.
To address the risks posed by advanced AI, he pointed to the importance of international collaboration on safety research and suggested that while geopolitical competition may drive advances in capability, there is still scope for cooperation on ensuring that AI systems remain safe and beneficial.
An emeritus distinguished professor at the University of Toronto, Professor Hinton was co-awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics for his foundational discoveries and inventions that enable machine learning with artificial neural networks. The same year, he received the UCD Ulysses Medal in recognition of his immense global contributions.
INSPIRATIONAL LEADERS AWARDED UCD HONORARY DEGREES
Influential business executive and alumna of UCD College of Business Siobhán Talbot has been awarded an honorary doctorate. Siobhán was the first woman appointed to the role of CEO of Glanbia, and the second woman ever to lead an Irish-listed company.
Honorary degrees were also conferred on Ireland’s Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon, and Dr Fabiola Gianotti, Director General of CERN, a leading figure in the discovery of the Higgs boson.
And Chief Justice Donal O’Donnell; former US Ambassador to Ireland Kevin O’Malley; Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency Laura Burke; Irish composer Michael McGlynn; agricultural leader Michael Berkery; economist Paul Sweeney; and business leader and philanthropist Mark Dobbin.
JOYCE AWARDS
In the past academic year, UCD’s Literary and Historical Society (L&H) has honoured comedian, actor and author Ardal O’Hanlon and singer-songwriter and musician Danny O’Donoghue with James Joyce awards. Considered one of the highest honours bestowed by any student society in Ireland, the James Joyce award is presented to public figures who have made an outstanding contribution in their field.
CREATIVE AND CULTURAL INDUSTRIES
The first graduating class of UCD’s BA Humanities in Creative & Cultural Industries was celebrated at the inaugural capstone showcase unveiled by UCD President, Professor Orla Feely, and Professor Emily Mark-Fitzgerald, School of Art History & Cultural Policy. The innovative four-year course prepares students for careers in the cultural and creative industries. Already, students have undertaken internships at organisations including Disney, LADbible Ireland, BOYS+GIRLS, RTÉ, Element Pictures, TBWA and MoLI. This new BA Humanities programme was developed as part of the Creative Futures Academy, a partnership between UCD, NCAD and IADT.
■ ucd.ie/news