The underfunding of the higher education sector – to the tune of €307m per annum – presents a significant challenge to Irish universities. To help bridge the gap, the sector is increasingly reliant on the generosity of alumni, philanthropic donors and corporate partners who recognise the importance of universities in a progressive, informed society. UCD Foundation’s fundraising priorities are broadly focused on student support, research, and campus development.
Reimagining the Library
One of the most exciting capital projects currently underway in UCD is a major revamp of the much-loved James Joyce Library, which has been at the very heart of campus life since 1972. Belfield has seen a lot of change since then, and the student population has increased from 10,684 to over 30,000. The old library simply doesn’t have the capacity to comfortably accommodate our students, and it no longer meets the needs of a modern university.
The urgent need for an upgrade presents a challenge, but also an opportunity to completely reimagine our learning spaces. Advances in information technologies have changed how students use and interact with the library, but with two million visits a year, we know that the physical space is still very important. With this in mind, UCD is creating a modern library that is welcoming, comfortable and accessible, and is designed to boost student wellbeing.
The project began in 2021 with the refurbishment of Level 3, and the student experience was front and centre from the start.
Dear Library…
Students wrote eloquent love letters – and in some cases breakup letters – to the library, and their feedback covered everything from the lighting and the location of power sockets to the colour and comfort of the furniture. Students also worked closely with the Library Executive Team and with the architects at Reddy Architecture + Urbanism to identify the diverse needs of library users and explore different kinds of learning spaces in other academic libraries.
The reopening of Level 3 in September 2023 marked a milestone in the library project. Students were thrilled to discover that beyond the familiar brutalist exterior, what was once a dark and uninviting space housing hundreds of old print journals had been transformed into a bright and welcoming setting, with an abundance of plants and natural materials throughout. Over 500 learning spaces accommodate all learning activities, from silent study to collaborative group work, and a sensory study room allows students with sensory needs to create an environment personalised to their preferences.
For UCD Librarian, Dr Sandra Collins, it really is all about the students: “The feedback is overwhelmingly positive. The students love the space. They feel this is their home away from home, a place where they’re welcome. This project really enhances the experience for our students, faculty and staff. We have amazing plans and we are excited to see people’s reactions to the next phase!”
The second of four planned phases of development – with an overall investment of €40m – is now full steam ahead, alongside a major philanthropic fundraising campaign. By the end of the project there will be about 3,000 high-quality study spaces available throughout the library (an increase of 46%). This current phase will see the transformation of Level 2 – along the lines of Level 3 but on a much bigger scale – as well as a purpose-designed Cultural Heritage Centre within the library, which will promote public and scholarly engagement with UCD Archives, Special Collections, and the National Folklore Collection.
The old furniture from Level 3 was donated to local schools and community groups for upcycling and reuse, and this commitment to sustainability was recognised with a UCD Values in Action Award – one of several awards for the library project to date, including an Irish Design Award and Irish Fit Out Award.
The James Joyce Library is woven into the collective experience of generations of UCD students and alumni, and the pupils who are giving our old desks a new lease of life may also become UCD students themselves someday. Meanwhile, today’s students are actively shaping the library for future generations, and we look forward to welcoming them back as alumni to see how the project is progressing.
Sporting Excellence
UCD is committed to developing the full potential of every student, and we recognise that this extends beyond academic achievement alone. The University is at the forefront of producing elite sportspeople who compete at the very highest level nationally and internationally. These achievements are due in no small part to the UCD Sports Development Fund.
The fund was established over 28 years ago to support the progression of high-performance sport in UCD, and it is fundamental to the viability of the University’s sports clubs. To date, sports that have benefited from the fund include soccer, Gaelic games, camogie, basketball, hockey, athletics, rowing, cycling, swimming and rugby.
The Sports Development Fund supports the provision of strength and conditioning expertise, massage therapy, and international travel to competitions, as well as highly sought after sports scholarships. This year alone, 92 students are in receipt of sports scholarships, and about 20 others are availing of other supports.
GAA Sports Scholar 23/24
“Representing the UCD GAA Club had been an ambition of mine from a young age. Playing Sigerson Cup football with some of the best young players from all over the country forged friendships that will stay with me for life, and the highlight of my time in UCD was representing the University in the Sigerson final.”
Donations to the Sports Development Fund are raised primarily through use of the Bank of Ireland UCD Affinity credit card by alumni, staff and friends of the University. The donation is made at no additional cost to the cardholder.
UCD’s Sports Development Manager, Suzanne Bailey, knows how intrinsic this fund is to the success of UCD sports clubs: “We are very grateful to the alumni who, through their use of the UCD Affinity credit card, donations and sponsorship, have supported hundreds of UCD students to achieve their academic and sporting potential. We are so proud of all that the students achieve while wearing a UCD jersey. Despite the ongoing challenge of rising costs, we have ambitious plans for our performance sports and we hope to add additional sports to the scholarship programme.”
UCD students, alumni and friends who are interested in supporting the Sports Development Fund can find out more about the UCD Affinity Credit Card at www.ucd.ie/alumni/benefits/ucd-affinity-credit-card/
Athletics Sport Scholar 2023/2024.
“The academic flexibility made possible by the scholarship has given me the opportunity to effectively balance a heavy course load and a hectic training schedule. For this, I am extremely grateful to UCD Sport as well as to UCD School of Medicine.”
UCD Ad Astra Academy
UCD’s success extends beyond the sports fields. UCD Ad Astra Academy fosters a community of highly motivated, remarkably talented students within an environment that supports them to aspire, achieve and excel. The Ad Astra Scholarship Programme offers these brilliant students across academia, performing arts, and elite sports, unique opportunities for personal, academic and professional development, and encourages them to cultivate their abilities to their full potential, to reach for the stars.
Academic scholars have gone on to pursue postgraduate studies in some of the world’s top universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and MIT. Others have started their own companies or taken on leadership roles in global companies such as Google, Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan. Meanwhile, performing arts alumni are blazing a trail on stage and screen, while current scholars continue to develop new work, including The Stare’s Nest – a collaboration with UCD’s Poetry as Commemoration initiative – which they performed at the National Gallery of Ireland earlier this year.
Our Ad Astra Elite Sport Scholars and alumni continue to distinguish themselves nationally and internationally. The many Team Ireland Olympians and Paralympians within their ranks include current students Nicola Tuthill (Hammer), Emily Lane (Rugby Sevens), and UCD Sportsperson of the Year 2024, Eve McMahon (Sailing). Alumna Ciara Mageean’s stellar performance in this year’s European Athletics Championships won her the gold medal in the 1,500m. Alumnus Israel Olatunde made history in 2022 by becoming the fastest Irishman ever and Colin Judge (Table Tennis) is competing in the Paralympics as we go to press.
Thank you
Everyone in the UCD community plays an important role in creating an environment where students are encouraged and enabled to be creative, innovative and brave. Philanthropic support enables the University to provide state-of-the-art facilities for our students, as well as transformative scholarship programmes that help to increase the diversity of our student body.
■ Thank you to our alumni, donors and volunteers for supporting our students and helping us foster the next generation of researchers, innovators and leaders. www.ucdfoundation.ie