In January 2019, Saudi Arabia-based alumni attended a reception hosted by Ambassador Gerard McCoy at the Embassy of Ireland in Riyadh. UCD Vice-President for Global Engagement, Professor Dolores O’Riordan, welcomed alumni and friends and introduced Dr Paula Kenny, Associate Professor of Law at Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University for an entertaining Q&A. Dr Kenny spoke about her time as a student, her involvement with UCDSU and numerous societies and the impact her time at UCD had on her career.
Later the same week, UCD Alumni Relations welcomed Dubai- based alumni to a reception at the Irish-owned Bonnington Hotel in Dubai. The reception date coincided with the formal launch of the UCD Global Centre in Dubai, by Ambassador Aidan Cronin. The evening wrapped with a Q&A with alumna Aisling McVeigh, who discussed her career as a Riverdance dancer and her current role as Marriott Hotel group senior manager for luxury brand marketing.