UCD Foundation

When every second counts, the right training can save lives. Five Irish medical professionals have returned from Kyiv after delivering another life-saving trauma care course to Ukrainian first responders, as part of the UCD Ukraine Trauma Project. Led by experts from UCD School Of Medicine, the project has trained more than 1,000 Ukrainian first responders since 2022, equipping them with vital skills to treat serious injuries in challenging, often life-threatening conditions. Through the Ukraine Trauma Fund at UCD Foundation, philanthropic support helps make this work possible, providing essential training, medical equipment and drugs to those on the frontline. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/euC9UhzU

Google has announced a €4.5m investment to advance AI-powered weather forecasting and climate research in Ireland. Through UCD Foundation, €2.25 million will support a four-year research programme led by the AIMSIR Centre, Ireland's first dedicated AI weather research centre, in partnership with Met Éireann and Research Ireland's Co-Centre for Climate + Biodiversity + Water. By combining AI with real-time weather observations, the research aims to improve local forecasts and give communities more time to prepare for severe weather. A powerful example of how philanthropic investment can turn research and innovation into real-world impact. Read more about what it means for the future of weather forecasting: https://lnkd.in/e9_qmczr

The generosity of UCD Alumni and friends has played an important role in shaping the University and creating opportunities for future generations of students. A legacy gift, whether large or small, can make a lasting contribution to University College Dublin. By including UCD in your will, you can help strengthen the University's ability to respond to emerging opportunities, support future students, and contribute to the University's long-term vision in creating greater impact within the community. Your support can continue to make a difference for generations to come. Find out more about leaving a legacy to UCD here: https://lnkd.in/egMH_DaQ

"The Maeve Binchy Travel Award gives me the opportunity to track down and experience a section of my family history which is nearly mythical." For UCD English with Creative Writing graduate Conor Glen, this year's award will turn that ambition into an opportunity to travel, research and develop his creative writing. The Maeve Binchy Travel Award, valued at €4,000, commemorates the life and legacy of one of the most celebrated UCD Alumni. Inspired by Maeve's love of travel and world-renowned creative writing, the award gives a University College Dublin undergraduate or postgraduate student the opportunity to use travel as a catalyst for their writing. This year, Conor will travel to New Zealand and the Pacific Islands to explore the story of his great-great-grandfather, whose travels in the late 19th century have left behind a fascinating family history. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eucXaxfN

"My decision in favour of legacy giving was entirely selfish. I was thinking of myself, our kids and future generations. Looking around at today's world we see nothing but problems - actual or looming. Tomorrow and the future are even more threatening. As I thought about it, it occurred to me that the future for them could be to some degree in my hands." For UCD alumnus and Legacy Pledger David, leaving a legacy to University College Dublin is a way of helping to shape the future for generations to come. Legacy gifts from UCD Alumni and friends can help create opportunities for students and support the University's work long into the future. Read more about leaving a legacy to UCD here: https://lnkd.in/egMH_DaQ

What does a great sporting campus look like? It's not just about elite performance. It's about having somewhere to try something new, stay active, meet friends, take part in clubs and societies, or simply feel part of the University College Dublin community. UCD's Sports and Amenities Precinct is being developed with all of these experiences in mind. As part of a wider €90+ million investment in sporting facilities, the new precinct will bring five indoor tennis courts, rehearsal and performance spaces, and a multipurpose sports hall to campus. And the benefits extend beyond sport. The sports hall will also have the flexibility to become an examination centre, meaning students will no longer need to travel off campus to sit exams during busy assessment periods. It's an investment in well-being, connection and belonging, helping create a campus where more students can find their place. Discover how UCD's sports and amenities are shaping the student experience: https://lnkd.in/eRYHcT3j

Autumn has arrived on campus. 🍂 From quiet moments by the lake to new friendships, opportunities, and experiences, university is made up of countless moments that students carry with them long after graduation. UCD Foundation is proud to work with generous UCD Alumni and friends to help create more opportunities for students across the University College Dublin community. Read more about the UCD Champions 'Opening Doors' Alumni Fund and its impact here: https://lnkd.in/gfMpinmF

A library can be more than a place to study. For generations of University College Dublin students, the James Joyce UCD Library has been a place to learn, find inspiration, meet friends and escape the pressures of campus life. Now, its transformation is creating a Library designed around the needs of today's students with flexible study areas, collaborative spaces, modern technology and inclusive facilities. The redevelopment is also creating a new home for Ireland's cultural heritage, bringing treasures from UCD Archives, UCD Special Collections and the National Folklore Collection to wider audiences through the new Cultural Heritage Centre. Discover the transformation of James Joyce Library here: https://lnkd.in/dVv977Vz

What does your support make possible? For a University College Dublin student, it can mean the freedom to focus on their studies instead of financial pressures. It can mean taking part in campus life, building friendships and having the confidence to pursue their ambitions. And, for a student forced to flee conflict, it can mean a safe place to continue their education and begin rebuilding their future. Through scholarships and initiatives such as UCD Cothrom na Féinne and UCD Humanitarian Fund, the generosity of UCD Alumni and friends is creating life-changing opportunities for students from all backgrounds. Read 'Shaping Futures' in #UCDConnections to meet some of the students whose lives are being changed through your support: https://lnkd.in/dKFmyKrh

Organ rejection is a constant threat for transplant patients, risking graft loss and severe consequences. Professor Roisin Dolan and her team at St. Vincent's University Hospital and University College Dublin are pioneering a breakthrough: using a small patch of donor skin on the patient's forearm as an early, visible warning sign of rejection. Recently, Róisín joined Jonathan McCrea on Newstalk's Futureproof to discuss this poineering Irish research programme, which has been made possible through almost €1.25 million in competitive research and innovation funding. Listen to the episode here: https://lnkd.in/dfM-WDzs Learn more about the Sentinel Study here: https://lnkd.in/e9yd7a9x