In a historic move, Dublin City University has signed aagreement forging links with three of the best-known colleges on Dublin's northside.
Under the agreement, All Hallows College now becomes a constituent college of DCU while the existing links with St Patrick's College teacher training college in Drumcondra and the Mater Dei Institute are strengthened, allowing them to be more closely integrated into the university's academic structures.
The new agreement is good news for DCU which tends to be associated with science and technology in the public mind. The new deal gives it a much stronger presence in the education/ humanities area.
"St Pat's" in Drumcondra has been booming in recent years under the direction of its president, Dr Pauric Travers. While many third-level colleges are struggling to fill places in science-related areas, demand for primary teacher training has soared.
The agreement was witnessed by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern who has close links with All Hallows College. His father worked in the college while he lives in Beresford Avenue, Drumcondra, on lands once part of All Hallows.
The colleges and DCU enrol more than 13,000 students, with 10,000 at DCU, over 2,000 at St Patrick's College, 700 at All Hallows and 500 attending Mater Dei. The colleges offer full and part-time courses both at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
They provide programmes leading to degrees that are validated and accredited by DCU and their students are recognised as students of DCU.
Speaking at the signing of the agreements, DCU president Ferdinand von Prondzynski said: "I am delighted that these three well-known and important educational institutions are colleges of DCU. As one of the leading universities in Ireland and one of the top 300 universities worldwide, DCU has in recent years identified the development of innovative education policies as one of its strategic priorities.
"The university with its three colleges is the most significant provider in the State of teaching and research in teacher training, educational policy and related aspects of the humanities."
