With a global network of over 334,000 alumni, the UCD community overseas stays connected year-round with online and in-person events
North America
This past academic year, alumni attended tailored events across North America in Vancouver, San Francisco, New York and Boston.
San Francisco
A very special fireside chat took place at the Ireland House in San Francisco. UCD alumni had the opportunity to Dive In with Olympic Bronze medallist Mona McSharry as she spoke with alumna Galvea Kelly following her performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
New York
UCD alumni and friends gathered for three receptions in New York over the year.
In October 2024, at the American Irish Historical Society, distinguished speakers and panellists engaged in a discussion on The Business of Sport, across a range of topics, from fashion and fitness to investing, athlete evolution, smart technology, and nutrition, expertly moderated by Alan Ennis.
In March, the Irish Arts Center in New York was the setting for an inspiring evening featuring Booker Prizewinning author and UCD Professor of Fiction, Anne Enright. With Professor Regina Uí Chollatáin hosting the event and Professor Margaret Kelleher moderating, Anne read from and discussed her acclaimed works, including The Portable Virgin, The Gathering, The Green Road, and The Wren, The Wren.
In April, Professor Anthony Brabazon welcomed all attendees to a panel discussion led by Alan Ennis and the IDA Ireland team, featuring insights on their new strategy, Adapt Intelligently: A Strategy for Sustainable Growth and Innovation 2025-29.
Boston
Alumni gathered at the Consul General of Ireland’s Residence in Boston for the Inspiring Innovation panel event, which celebrated UCD alumni entrepreneurs in the medical, tech and sports sectors. Barry Canton, Sharon Cunningham and Martin O’Reilly shared insights from their entrepreneurial journeys. Ciarán Hynes, UCD College of Business North American Advisory Board Member and Boston Chapter Rep, moderated the discussion and Professor Dolores O’Riordan, VicePresident for Global Engagement, spoke about UCD’s Strategy to 2030, Breaking Boundaries.
Vancouver
UCD alumni gathered at The Victor at Parq to launch the new Chapter in Vancouver. The evening saw new friends and connections being made, and the chapter will keep the local UCD community engaged with events year-round.
PARIS
The UCD Alumni Chapter in Paris held three events. Lively conversations were had at the Paris Alumni L&H Newman Debate in October 2024 on the topic ‘This House Believes Social Media is Good for Humanity’. The alumni community also welcomed incoming Erasmus students at a picnic in the courtyard of the Centre Culturel Irlandais in September 2024. The Paris Chapter rounded off the year of activity with a summer picnic in June with refreshments and snacks from local markets and a lovely afternoon of local games such as pétanque.
SOUTH AMERICA
UCD Global Alumni expanded its reach to CHINE South America this year with the first UCD Alumni networking event in São Paulo, Brazil in April. This event was in collaboration with UCD Global and hosted at the Consulate General of Ireland, São Paulo.
LONDON
UCD President Professor Orla Feely met 90 London-based UCD alumni at her first engagement event in the city since assuming her role as President. The event, hosted at the Royal Society London, featured a fireside chat with UCD alumnus Paul Gillen, Managing Director of Barclays Bank Ireland and Barclays Group Chief Security Advisor, and Dr Ray Genoe, Director of the UCD School of Computer Science. London was also the location for two career panel events in September 2024 and January 2025, coinciding with the Business and the Law student careers trips.
ASIA PACIFIC
Vietnam
The UCD Alumni team partnered with Asia Pacific UCD Global Centre colleagues to host two alumni gatherings in Vietnam in April. At a lunch in Ho Chi Minh City, 33 alumni and prospective students enjoyed a relaxed afternoon. The second gathering took place in Hanoi, with 32 alumni and prospective students gathering. These events marked the official launch of the Alumni Chapter in Vietnam.
Indonesia
In November 2024, an Alumni Chapter was launched in Indonesia with a dinner in Menteng, Jakarta. The special celebration was hosted by College Principal, UCD College of Science, Professor Jeremy Simpson, and the special guest was H.E. Ambassador Padraig Francis.
Malaysia
A celebration was held in Malaysia in June for the 25th cohort of RUMC graduates (RCSI and UCD Malaysia Campus) and the 10th anniversary of the UCD Asia Pacific Global Centre. The evening at the Four Seasons Hotel in Kuala Lumpur consisted of a scientific meeting and a cocktail reception hosted by Irish-Malaysian actress Sarimah Ibrahim.
Bangkok
Celebrations for the 10th anniversary of the UCD Asia Pacific Global Centre continued in Bangkok in June. UCD Vice-President for Global Engagement, Professor Dolores O’Riordan, and special guest H.E. Pat Bourne, Ambassador of Ireland to Thailand, were delighted to meet UCD alumni and friends.
Singapore
The UCD College of Business Alumni Reception, hosted by Professor Anthony Brabazon, Dean of UCD College of Business, took place in May at the ParkRoyal Collection Marina Bay in Singapore. The event brought together graduates, and coincided with graduation celebrations.
China
Alumni gathered in Beijing in December 2024 to meet UCD President, Professor Orla Feely and connect with local alumni. Professor Feely was joined by the Provost of UCD’s three joint international colleges in China, Professor Paul Fanning, and UCD’s Vice-President for Sustainability, Professor Tasman Crowe.
