DCU programme aims to solve our gobal problems

A NEW multi-million euro development programme launched last week at DCU has the potential to deliver significant global impact in education, health and conflict resolution.

The hugely ambitious programme could help solve some of the world’s most difficult problems such as online religious radicalisation, water shortages and managing cancer.

The Northside university announced the first €323 million funding step for the ambitious DCU/Shaping the Future programme last Wednesday (October 21) and internationally acclaimed futurist, Dr Peter Cochrane, outlined its importance during a keynote address at the launch.

“It is heartening to see a young, ambitious university like DCU challenging the status quo and taking brave steps to create new responses to the challenges of a rapidly changing world,” he said.

“Our world is no longer slow, disconnected and linear; it is fast, connected and highly non-linear. From the same starting conditions, our systems return wildly different results.

“We are talking ‘butterfly wings’ – where a small change can see a big outcome. This is true of technology, networks, economics and politics. The old ways and old thinking do not work, and they can be dangerous.”

DCU has already achieved 25 per cent of the campaign’s fundraising target, and has attracted donations of €25 million over the last three years, during what it describes as the ‘quiet’ phase of the campaign.

Some programme initiatives are already well into the planning stage including a new student centre that’s expected to commence construction next summer.

Last week’s launch is the beginning of a €100 million fundraising drive and it’ll be followed by a series of significant announcements before the end of the year on major capital investments.

The Shaping the Future programme aims to future-proof the university’s graduates and align DCU’s research objectives with modern, global challenges.

The university is now actively seeking philanthropic support from private and corporate donors for a number of key projects including an Institute for International Conflict Resolution and Reconstruction.

The Institute will support peace-building in post-conflict regions by producing research on key areas of international concern such as online radicalisation and women in conflict. It also aims to support policymakers and communities in addressing tensions and legacy issues in Northern Ireland.

Another project on ageing will support health and activity in older people and focus on the management of chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer and respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

A DCU Water Institute is also planned, which will develop and apply innovative approaches to global issues such as water quality, flood prevention, access to safe drinking water and wastewater treatment. 

Other projects include an Institute of Future Journalism and Media and an Institute of Education.

President of DCU, Professor Brian MacCraith, outlined the university’s strategic ambition in what’s being described as an “unparalleled development plan”.

“DCU has a reputation as an innovative force within the most rapidly expanding region in the country,” he said.

“We are recognised for our focus on innovation, matching our enterprising efforts to future trends in employment, industry, science and technology. 

“This announcement signals DCU’s ambition to show leadership in this space, to radically scale our future development to meet the challenges of a world grappling with realities such as an ageing population, natural resources under threat, preparation for the jobs of the future yet to be imagined, and an increasingly digitally connected global family where concepts of information, community and conflict transcend borders.”