Engagement
€1m
strategic partnership with Deloitte
Engaging with Our Community…
At Ireland’s university of enterprise, our partnerships with industry, communities and alumni enable us to achieve even more for our students and for society. These meaningful connections create real-world opportunities for our students, drive community engagement, and amplify our impact.
STEM Teacher Internship Programme
The STEM Teacher Internship Programme (STInt) is a DCU-led initiative that promotes innovative learning in STEM education by supporting internship opportunities for pre-service and early career teachers.
Last summer, the programme celebrated its tenth year, and placed 62 pre-service and early career teachers as interns in partner companies. Through these 12-week paid internships, teachers gained first-hand experience of the diverse range of STEM careers and opportunities available. To date, 327 teachers have completed 372 hands-on internships at 70 leading Irish companies through STInt.
These internships are only possible thanks to funding from our partners Skillnet Ireland, Research Ireland, the Department of Education and Intel, alongside the engagement of our industry partners in technology, professional services, pharma and medical devices. Thanks to our partners, STInt interns will go on to inspire a passion for STEM in future generations, potentially impacting over 1.33 million learners during their careers in Irish classrooms.
In a successful year, the programme, led by Dr Eilish McLoughlin, was presented with the STEM Recruitment Campaign of the Year Award at the 2025 Business Post Women in STEM Awards.
Deloitte Partners with DCU Business School
In January 2025, DCU and Deloitte announced a new strategic alliance to elevate educational opportunities and drive innovation.
Supported by a philanthropic commitment of €1 million over the next five years, this partnership will benefit all DCU Business School students. Building on the long-standing relationship between DCU and Deloitte, this collaboration is encouraging creativity and problem-solving through real-world challenges in an annual hackathon, recognising excellence through academic prizes, and bringing students insight and experience from Ireland’s leading companies through Deloitte’s Best Managed Companies Programme.
Additionally, in line with Deloitte’s commitment to social inclusion, the agreement will broaden access for students through the Access to the Workplace programme, with new funding dedicated to Access students pursuing PhD research.
“Deloitte is proud to continue our collaboration with Dublin City University. Our shared commitment to education, innovation, and societal impact makes this initiative a natural fit. We look forward to seeing the positive outcomes of our joint efforts over the duration of our relationship.”
Harry Goddard, CEO, Deloitte Ireland
“The University is proud to forge this alliance with Deloitte, which deepens our existing collaborations and further enhances DCU Business School’s transformative student experience. Thanks to their vision and generosity, we will create new pathways for talented students to excel in their studies and make their mark on the future.”
Professor Dáire Keogh, President of DCU
DCU Access to the Workplace
The award-winning DCU Access to the Workplace programme continued to build on its success in 2025. This transformative programme aims to level the playing field for student groups who experience disadvantage in the workplace following graduation. Since 2019, the programme has provided 483 high-quality summer internships for DCU Access students from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, and for neurodivergent students.
An independent research report by EQI has found that the programme delivers for both students and employers, with a significant 71% of student participants employed in their field of study within six months of graduation, and many securing jobs due to programme exposure.
Employers praised student interns for their enthusiasm, soft skills, and technical abilities – and 93% of participating companies agreed that the programme improved workplace diversity.
DCU Access to the Workplace is made possible by the leading Irish companies who host our students and support Access scholarships at DCU. The programme is supported by partners LinkedIn and Rethink Ireland’s Scaling Education Fund.
ATTW participants Jennifer Lukikeba, Tommy Hamzat and Amy Harrison
“This study clearly illustrates the positive impact that this highly innovative DCU programme is delivering. Access to the Workplace increases opportunities and employability for underrepresented students, while introducing employers to diverse and enthusiastic new talent, making it a win-win proposition for all.”
Professor Dáire Keogh,
President of DCU
DCU Alumni Fund
Shay Walsh, President of DCU Prof Dáire Keogh, Michelle O’Hagan and Jonny Cooper
In 2025, DCU Educational Trust launched the DCU Alumni Fund, bringing together the many graduates whose generosity helps the University to transform lives and societies. DCU graduates Shay Walsh (BEng Electronic Engineering), Michelle O’Hagan (Bachelor of Business Studies) and Jonny Cooper (BSc Sport Science and Health) joined current students and DCU President Professor Dáire Keogh on campus to show their support for the fundraising launch.
This fund builds on strong alumni engagement with the DCU community through volunteering, mentoring and donations that support a new generation of students to overcome barriers and reach their full potential. Donations to the Alumni Fund will accelerate doctoral research opportunities in areas from cancer treatment to sustainability, and deliver vital Access scholarships for young people from underrepresented backgrounds.
Graduates and supporters interested in getting involved can help shape the future for a new generation of students and researchers at dcu.ie/donate
“When DCU alumni join together, we make remarkable things happen. I’m proud to see this new fund bringing together the many graduates who give. It’s an opportunity for alumni around the world to make a real, collective impact and advance DCU’s transformative student programmes and doctoral research opportunities.”
Jason Sherlock,
Director of Development, DCU Educational Trust