Investing in Today’s Students for a Better Tomorrow
Highlighting the importance of the O’Brien Centre for Science at University College Dublin, aiming to equip aspiring leaders with essential tools for success.
After having completed undergraduate studies at the University College Dublin (UCD), I realised the university had provided me with exactly the kind of environment that would cultivate young professionals to be equipped for success. As students of UCD we received great support from our professors and studied with an excellent group of fellow students.
In hindsight, my time at UCD has made me realise how important it is to pay it forward by investing in the future and providing young people with the tools they need to succeed. I was fortunate to have received the support I did during my formative years, and it's essential for others to have access to that same level of support, this is why education-based philanthropy has always been a primary focus for me.
Creating the O’Brien Centre for Science at University College Dublin
The UCD vision statement is “As Ireland’s Global University, UCD will rise to the global challenges of the future by pursuing four strategic themes: Creating a Sustainable Global Society; Transforming through Digital Technology; Building a Healthy World; and Empowering Humanity,” and in support of this vision, I worked with the university to create its Centre for Science.
After graduating from UCD I took any opportunity to give back to the university, including giving lectures, speaking with students, and donating to the university, but recognising that something more tangible and long-lasting still needed to be done, we opened the O’Brien Centre for Science at UCD in 2013 and for the past decade, this building has fostered education for countless students.
At the time of its completion, the O’Brien Centre for Science had received the largest capital investment in science in the history of the State. Over €300m was raised from the Corporate sector, Philanthropists and the State to build the Centre.
Building a Brighter Future, Together
Today, the O’Brien Centre for Science is entering the third and final phase of development with completion scheduled for the summer of 2026. Once complete, the building will have capacity for 7,500 students and staff. These students will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge tools and an amazing faculty team to help shape them into future trailblazers.
I am delighted to see the impact that the O’Brien Centre for Science will have on the students of UCD. During my travels, I have seen the incredible contributions that so many great Irish men and women have made across the globe. Through this facility, the aim is to help support and propel emerging thought leaders into positions where they can contribute to making Ireland and the world a better place.