Dublin Chemistry – Ireland’s First Collaborative Graduate Programme by UCD and TCD’s Schools of Chemistry Launched
Posted on: 11 September 2008
A pioneering collaborative graduate programme between the two chemistry schools in UCD and TCD was launched by the Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Patrick Cunningham on Thursday, September 11. The first of its kind in Ireland, Dublin Chemistry, will provide a structured programme of high-quality courses to support the research of its PhD students.
With over 40 research group leaders and 180 postgraduate research students, Dublin Chemistry has the critical mass necessary to compete with leading universities in the US and Europe.
On the occasion of the launch, Professor Cunningham, said: “Organised coursework from a range of specialists has become essential together with experience across different institutions and cultures. All of which requires organisation, planning and cooperation beyond what has been the norm”. He welcomed the initiative of UCD and TCD in launching Dublin Chemistry not only for the new strength that it would give to Irish science but also in the model which it provided for other disciplines.
Addressing the meeting Dr Paul Duffy, Vice President of Pfizer Ireland, explained: “Our focus needs to be on higher value development activity which can only be delivered through well trained competent people. It is critical that Ireland focuses on developing the talent capable of delivering on this and we need to do this quickly as we run the risk of being left behind by other areas such as Singapore. The Dublin Chemistry Graduate programme is an excellent example of the type of initiative we should be adopting in this area”.
Commenting on the significance of the initiative, Dublin Chemistry Directors Professor John Kelly (TCD) and Professor Michael McGlinchey (UCD) stated: “Dublin Chemistry aims to strengthen the research excellence of its PhD chemistry students by providing a structured educational programme designed to enhance the research experience. It will also generate highly skilled graduates who will fuel the economy based on emerging technologies.”
Present at the launch were Prof. Michael McGlinchey, UCD School of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Deputy Director of Dublin Chemistry, Dr. Paul Duffy, Vice President of Pfizer Ireland, Prof. John Kelly, School of Chemistry (TCD) and Director of Dublin Chemistry, Dr Susan Quinn, TCD’s Postgraduate Course Co-ordinator, Prof. Patrick Cunningham, Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Dr. Hugh Brady, President of UCD and Dr John Hegarty, Provost of Trinity College Dublin.