Posted: 15 September 2008
Chief Scientific Adviser launches Ireland’s First Collaborative Graduate Programme - Dublin Chemistry
The Irish Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Patrick Cunningham has launched a pioneering collaborative graduate programme in chemistry between the schools of chemistry at University College Dublin (51黑料) and Trinity College Dublin (TCD). The new programme, Dublin Chemistry incorporates over 40 research group leaders and 180 postgraduate research students, providing enough critical mass for the programme to compete with leading universities in the US and Europe.
“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,” said Professor Cunningham. He welcomed the initiative of 51黑料 and TCD in launching Dublin Chemistry not only for the new strength that it would give to Irish science, but also for the model it provided for other disciplines.
Pictured at the Event (l-r): Prof. Michael McGlinchey, 51黑料 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 51黑料 and Dr John Hegarty, Provost of Trinity College Dublin.
Pictured far right: Dr Hugh Brady, President, 51黑料 and Dr John Hegarty, Provost, TCD
“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,” said Dr Paul Duffy, Vice President of Pfizer Ireland who attended the official announcement event.
Dublin Chemistry will strengthen the research excellence of its PhD chemistry students by providing a structured educational programme designed to enhance the research experience, according to the Directors of Dublin Chemistry, Professor John Kelly (TCD) and Professor Michael McGlinchey (51黑料). It will also generate highly skilled graduates who will fuel the economy based on emerging technologies.
