In October 2019, UCD College of Engineering and Architecture hosted a centenary celebration in O’Reilly Hall to mark 100 years of the UCD Schools of Civil Engineering, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, and Mechanical & Materials Engineering. Over
300 alumni and friends gathered for this once-in-a-lifetime event of reconnection and nostalgia. Remarks from College Principal and Dean of Engineering, Professor Aoife Ahern, and UCD President, Professor Andrew J Deeks, lauded the commitment of UCD faculty, staff, alumni and friends, and honoured the 7,500+ graduates from these three Schools who have gone on to play leading roles in industry, business, academia, and society. Attendees were also introduced to exciting new developments at UCD including the new Centre of Creativity which is planned to ensure that future graduates are equipped to lead and influence decision- making across Ireland and around the world.
Tom Dunne, award-winning radio broadcaster with Newstalk and UCD Mechanical Engineering graduate, was the event’s MC. After dinner, current BE Electrical & Electronic Engineering student Catherine Waechter and ME Energy Systems Engineering student Duncan Mathews engaged in an “In Conversation” with Stephen Donnelly TD, Mechanical Engineering graduate and now Minister for Health. Each attendee also received a commemorative book about the past and future of UCD Engineering.
The event was made possible by the generous support of platinum event sponsor Huawei, in addition to silver sponsors Jones Engineering, Ward & Burke, Xilinx, KPMG and Arup. All proceeds from the night were used to provide student financial support to promote greater diversity in the Schools.
