DCU to celebrate 40 years of transformation in 2020

President emphasises the transformative impact of DCU on lives and society

Dublin City University is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and will host a year-long programme of events to mark this important milestone in the university’s history.  It is 40 years since the university enrolled its first students and celebratory activities are currently being planned to take place throughout the year, focussed on the transformative positive impact that DCU has had on education, research and society across the last four decades. 

Professor Brian MacCraith, President of DCU said

“For 40 years Dublin City University has been nurturing talent, producing the leaders of tomorrow and driving Ireland’s reputation as a hub of innovation contributing to the country’s economic success.  Our students, staff and alumni have made us what we are today, one of the world’s Top 100 Young Universities, creating a positive impact, at home and around the globe. 

“Universities like DCU, play a unique role in society. For DCU, bringing beneficial impact to individuals and communities is central to the DNA of the university.  Not only will we reflect on the university’s many achievements but also pose important questions about today’s world and examine the path ahead towards a more sustainable future. We encourage the DCU community past, present and future to join us as we celebrate DCU’s remarkable story, and look forward to the next 40 years.”  

The programme of activities focuses on four core themes, inspired by four decades:  Education, Discovery, Culture and Community. The programme will include a number of key events such as the launch of the DCU History, a special Alumni event, a Gala concert as part of Anam (DCU’s festival of arts and culture), a ‘Connecting Communities’ conference in conjunction with Dublin City Council and a Research Showcase event. The year-long programme will celebrate the many achievements of staff, students and alumni, while also taking the opportunity to engage with important contemporary questions, and look ahead to the next 40 years. 

Details of the various events and initiatives happening across the year will be made available on the DCU website and social media accounts as they are confirmed.

Dublin City University began as the National Institute for Higher Education, Dublin in 1975 enrolling its first students in 1980 and gained university status in September 1989. With a view to delivering a major enhancement in Irish education, DCU established the first ever Faculty of Education in an Irish University in September 2016.  In order to achieve this, DCU incorporated a number of colleges (St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, Mater Dei Institute of Education and Church of Ireland College of Education) into the University. 

The founding President was Dr Danny O'Hare, who retired in 1999 after 22 years' service. Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski was appointed President in 2000 for a ten-year term, which ended in July 2010. He was succeeded by the current President, Professor Brian MacCraith whose term comes to an end in July of this year when he will be succeeded by the current Deputy President Professor Daire Keogh.