UCD Smurfit School Celebrates 30th Anniversary
Thirty years ago today, on October 11, 1991, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School opened its doors for the first time to welcome students to Ireland’s first campus solely dedicated to graduate business education.
The opening of the Blackrock campus was a key milestone in the long and illustrious history of the UCD College of Business which was already firmly established as Ireland’s leading business school, educating students for over 110 years.
“The opening of UCD Smurfit School was transformative not only for the University, but for the Irish and global business community,” said Professor Anthony Brabazon, Dean of the UCD College of Business. “Our new home facilitated a significant expansion of postgraduate business programmes offered, including the introduction of our full-time MBA programme which also celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.”
“Since 1991, close to 60,000 UCD Smurfit School graduates have progressed into impactful leadership positions globally. The growth of the School has also created an attractor for many talented international academics and researchers, creating a rich and vibrant centre of global thought-leadership in business, resulting in impact on business practice and policy formulation in Ireland and far beyond,” continued Dean Brabazon.
“A key element of the School’s success has been its development of a strong community of students, faculty, staff, alumni, industry partners and advisory boards. In addition to receiving an excellent education, our graduates become members of this network which now extends to over 120 countries globally. Our community and their stories and successes are tightly woven into the fabric of the business community in Ireland and overseas,” concluded Dean Brabazon.
The day launches a year-long series of events and initiatives that will involve the entire UCD Business community—highlighting collaborations with students, faculty and staff, alumni, advisory board members, donors, University colleagues and our local Blackrock community.
Throughout the year, the hashtag #UCDSmurfit30 will be used to capture celebrations, memories and more. Community members are invited to tag pictures in order to extend the celebrations around the globe.
This academic year will also see the launch of a new strategy which will outline key priorities for the College over the next five years, with an emphasis on the importance of networks and community, a global perspective on research, education and engagement and the impact of technology on the way we live, work and learn. Overall, UCD College of Business remains committed to providing a world-leading, transformative, student experience.
“Our story is one of evolutionary adaptation with clear movement forward,” said Professor Gerardine Doyle, Director of UCD Smurfit School and Associate Dean of the UCD College of Business.
“From domestic beginnings to expanding to a highly reputable international leader, we are outward looking and aware of the importance in supporting major societal challenges. We will therefore continue to evolve our offering to prepare our students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in a future where bold and audacious challenges await,” concluded Director Doyle.