UCC unveils €350 million investment plan

The college plans to expand the campus by 20% over the next five years

 

University College Cork (UCC) has unveiled a 350 million investment plan for the university, which includes plans to expand campus space by 20% over the next five years.

The plan, which UCC predicts will create 500 new construction jobs, has identified several areas of investment in the university. It aims to facilitate a growth in student numbers, establish new projects, and develop existing facilities. The aim of the expanded campus is to increase student numbers by 2,000, bringing the student population to 23,000 by 2022.

It is hoped that the investment will increase the number of international student numbers in particular. It is projected that the plan will grow the international student population from 3,300 to 4,400 over a five-year period. UCC President, Professor Patrick O’Shea, commented: “We are committed to ensuring that UCC becomes the location of choice for Irish and international students.”

The plan, which is financed through a European investment bank 100 million loan agreement, will focus on growing campus facilities for the benefit of students. “Like myself, many of us are first-generation university graduates,” O’Shea noted, “and we are passionate about ensuring access to higher education.” The university hopes to achieve a 26% student intake through access administrations routes.

UCC’s Business and Health departments in particular will see the benefits of the investment plan. €110 million will be invested in the Business school, while €37 million will be allocated to build a new Dental School, research centre and hospital. €23 million will fund a new clinical medical school for Cork hospitals and associated research and health innovation activity.

Additionally, €64 million will support student accommodation projects, while €90 million is being allocated a new student hub, ICT Services, facilities upgrade, and building extensions. The student hub is expected to commence operation in 2019.

Lauren Boland

Lauren Boland was the Editor of the 67th volume of Trinity News. She is an English Literature and Sociology graduate and previously served as Deputy Editor, News Editor and Assistant News Editor.