UCD Global Indian Alumni brochure 2020

Indian Alumni Why UCD is for you!

From Delhi to Dublin Students discuss Life in UCD Home from Home UCD Indian Student Society Wants You Meet UCD UCD Professors visit India UCD Careers Network Your Path to Success in Ireland

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University College Dublin Ireland’s Global University

CONTENTS India & Ireland: A Sneak Peek

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Why UCD?

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UCD Careers Network

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Testimonials

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Messages from UCD Professors

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UCD Indian Society

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Ireland acts as the gateway for India to Europe and North America

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INDIA & IRELAND: A SNEAK PEEK The shades of orange, green and white only mark the beginning of the commonalities shared between India and Ireland. Political figures like V.V Giri, the fourth President of India, and the current Irish Prime Minister, Mr. Leo Varadkar, form the thread which brings these nations closer. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ireland in 2015, only the second one after Jawaharlal Nehru, which saw a further increase in trade and dialogue.

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DID YOU KNOW? • •

India’s 4th President VV Giri studied law at University College Dublin.

Mahatma Gandhi’s first teacher was an Irishman due to which he initially spoke English with an Irish accent.

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Margaret Cousins, an Indo-Irish poet based in India during the second World War, helped create the tune of the Indian national anthem.

The father of Ireland’s current Prime Minister, (Taoiseach) Leo Varadkar, was born in India.

In St. Stephens Green, an iconic Dublin park, lies a bust of Rabindranath Tagore.

The Irish cricket team comprises of Simi Singh, a Punjab-born off-spinner in their 14-member squad who played for the twomatch Twenty20 International series against India.

Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry is an Indian-born Irish construction tycoon and chairman of Shapoorji Pallonji Group, is one of the richest men in both countries.

DR DOUGLAS PROCTOR DIRECTOR OF UCD GLOBAL AT UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN As Ireland’s Global University, University College Dublin is delighted to welcome a growing number of Indian students to its Dublin campuses each year. These students come from around India, and make an important contribution to UCD through their studies and their involvement in the broader life of the university, including the Indian Student Society.

Following their studies, a growing number of UCD’s Indian graduates are looking for opportunities to gain work experience in Ireland, and the UCD Careers Network and UCD Global work closely together to support this aspiration.

This brochure is designed to give you some further information about the career pathways of UCD graduates from India. We hope that it provides you with some valuable insights into where a UCD degree might take you.

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University College Dublin Ireland’s Global University

WHY UCD? UCD HAS ONE of the largest urban campuses in Europe, and contains not only the buildings in which students live and study, but also gorgeous parkland teeming with wildlife, art and fabulous facilities.

7km (4 miles) UCD campus

Ranked in the top 1% of higher education institutes worldwide, students love our flexible curriculum, and our research-intensive academic staff comprises leading national and international opinion leaders and influencers.

THE CAMPUS

Dublin city centre

supportive environment. Over one quarter of our student population is from outside Ireland and the EU, and over one third of our academic staff is from outside Ireland. This ensures that the experience of all students at UCD is truly global, and encompasses a multitude of attitudes, formed from different life and learning experiences. A multitude of clubs and societies make it easy for students to meet each other, and get involved in activities that not only mean a lot to them, but that also offer invaluable life experience.

The UCD Campus has to be experienced to be believed. Our facilities include vaults of historical records, the biggest animal hospital in Ireland, world-class teaching and research facilities, excellent accommodation, a huge sports centre with Olympic-size swimming pool, and interactive laboratories, some of which are unique to UCD. With such a large campus, we have the ability to house an Students on the main Belfield campus incredible breadth of amenities (such as the UNESCO-recognised National Folklore Other EU students Collection), all of which make the UCD experience second to none.

THE PEOPLE At UCD, our faculty and staff are focused on ensuring that all students have the best experience and receive the best education possible in an exciting, dynamic and

Students from outside the EU Irish students

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UCD CAREERS NETWORK UCD Careers Network is comprised of a professional team of Career & Skills Consultants who are focused on helping students make decisions about their future careers, develop skills that will enable them to succeed in work or graduate study and to be successful when making job applications.

Every year we organise recruitment fairs and employer presentations on both the Belfield and Smurfit campus’.

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Here are some quick tips to securing employment in Ireland/general career advice: •

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Chose a career/job that you are interested in/passionate about but do your research to ensure that it is a skill that is in demand in the job market.

Decide what your career goals are, what your work values are and are they in line with your interests and personality type.

Remember it’s okay to test out an area by doing an internship before committing to a permanent role.

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Be self-aware of your strengths/skills and be able to articulate them in an interview.

Engage with employers at fairs and talks go prepared and ask relevant questions.

Use LinkedIn to search for opportunities, be found by recruiters and search for UCD Alumni to see where they are working now to give you an idea of job titles.

Be proactive by attending networking events and building up your contacts.

Refine the skills needed by employers by attending a skills workshop by the UCD Careers Network Centre.

Maintain good academic grades.

Highlight both your technical and soft skills on your CV and give relevant examples.

Get your CV checked by a Career & Skills Consultant and prepare properly for interviews including how to answer competency based questions effectively.

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University College Dublin Ireland’s Global University

TESTIMONIALS Shruti Mani MSc Biotechnology 2016-2017 How has your experience been so far of Ireland & UCD? The experience in Ireland and UCD has been amazing. The people that I have come across are kind and helpful.

Can you describe your current role?

I work as a Medical device test engineer at Becton Dickinson Company, Limerick.

Was there anything speciďŹ c that you feel helped you to secure this role?

There was immense help in building my presentation skills from my professor Dr. Cormac Murphy who guided me at every step.

Can you describe the work culture in Ireland?

People are extremely helpful and kind. The work culture is the same. It is very accepting and accommodating.

What advice would you give an international student in Ireland to help set them up for career success?

My only advice would be to keep pursuing for job even if there are some failures in the beginning.

Make the best of UCD and the teachers, they are supportive, and they are always ready to help, provided we work hard enough to gain knowledge.

Vicky Dalwani ME in Mechanical Engineering, 2016-2018 University College Dublin is one of the best decisions of my life. Pursuing the ME programme in Mechanical Engineering with VV Giri Scholarship was a blessing.

The best thing about UCD is that it encourages students to participate in so many extra- curricular activities along with your education. It helps us in socializing, making new friends and experiencing different cultures from different places around the world.

An internship of 6-8 months was a part of my 2-year ME programme. I got an opportunity to work with Glen Dimplex Research & Development for 8 months which gave me an insight of different aspects of Mechanical Engineering.

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Utkarsh Agarwal MSc Strategic Management & Planning 2014 – 2015 Studying at UCD Smurfit Graduate Business School and working and living in Ireland for three years gave me the skills, exposure and knowledge required to succeed in today’s business world.

Tips to current international students at UCD: • Move out of your comfort zone and take part in various social activities on and off the campus.

• Networking is the key to success and getting a right job after college.

• Do not restrict yourself to studies and assignments.

• To make the most of your time in UCD join various clubs and societies on campus, attend various events and connect with other international students. This will not only help you have a global mindset but also help you generate many business ideas and make connections in every country.

• Explore the beautiful countryside while you are there to study.

Aditya Narayan Mechanical and Materials Engineering 2018-2019 My first interaction with UCD was when I got selected as a research intern among students from my college. I worked with one of the best research teams at UCD under Prof. Donal Finn and his PhD student Mr. Giovanni Tardioli. Those three months gave me an opportunity to live the life that an international student would experience at UCD. I must admit that the facilities, environment of research and support from the institution is extraordinary. Professors and academic staff are some of the best you’ll find around the globe. This can be accounted for the reason I went back to UCD. I was awarded a full scholarship under the banner of the UCD V.V.Giri scholarship, for which I am truly thankful to UCD. After my time at UCD, I can bet UCD is the most global and invigorating place in Ireland.

Dipanka Trika MSc Finance, 2018-2019 I was particularly interested in the MSc in Finance programme in Ireland for several compelling reasons. I was looking to forge ahead in the mainstream of professional life by doing a master’s from Ireland as all of Ireland’s universities are ranked in top 5% globally. The country offers a buzzing, multicultural society where I found the highest of education standards. The Irish education system ranks among the top 20 for its higher education system by the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook in 2014. Ireland’s long-standing reputation for high quality education is built on a solid foundation of commitment to excellence.

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University College Dublin Ireland’s Global University

Dhanya Raghavan MA in Philosophy and Literature 2017-2018 Why did you decide to study in UCD and how has it shaped your career?

I decided to study in UCD primarily because the course structure was incredible.

I wanted to experience what it is like to study in a global village. The environment was very multicultural and so was the course structure. I was awarded the MA Newman Scholarship that covered my tuition fees for the academic year. I want to do a PhD and teach at a university, therefore, my professors helped me a lot with my career interests by enabling me to indulge in very constructive activities like classroom presentations and research papers. The best thing about UCD is that they don’t just aim at preparing students for placements, but also, they prepare you for life as there is so much to take from this university.

How did you stay motivated?

I made many new friends, exercised and practiced meditation. I believe that, when you make your surroundings positive, it will help you becoming a positive person as well and when you have that kind of optimism and self-reliance, you become confident in whatever you do.

Kritibha Rai MSc Actuarial Science 2014-2015 In the summer of 2014, I received an email confirming my admission to the MSc. Actuarial Science programme at University College Dublin. I was thrilled for this once in a lifetime opportunity to pursue a degree in Ireland’s top university with a full scholarship. The course was rigorous, and it molded us to face the real world in the best way possible. Every single module was taught to help us develop key skills that a Trainee Actuary would need, and it was supplemented with ample support through online notes, weekly tutorials and one to one sessions.

During my time at UCD I had many opportunities to meet people from various industries through talks and seminars organized by the university. It was a great way to network with professionals and recruiters. After graduating within a few months, I accepted an offer with Citco Fund Services as a Risk and Valuation specialist and then moved on to work for Allianz Global Life as a Trainee Actuary.

Apart from having a great university life, living in Dublin has been a truly remarkable and transformative experience. I highly recommend UCD and the course for anyone that is interested in having a fulfilling and exciting future.

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Aishwarya N Swamy MA International Development 2016-2017 Describe your experience in UCD. Life-changing! If not for this amazing institution and the generous scholarship, I would have never made it abroad. Academically I have had the honor to be taught by brilliant faculty and the flexibility offered on modules helped make the program interesting and worthwhile. Not to forget the lovely campus, such a joy to just be on campus, especially on warm sunny days. Though it was a tough one year, the kindness and empathy of faculty made it seem easy!

Why did you decide to study in UCD and how has it shaped your career?

I chose UCD because it is definitely one of Ireland’s, even Europe’s more reputed universities. The Masters program was tailor made for my learning needs, and the plus point being investing only one year into studies. And most importantly the full scholarship (UCD Global Excellence V.V. Giri Scholarship).

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University College Dublin Ireland’s Global University

Ardsheer Ali MSc International Business 2017-2018 I remember that my initial fascination with the Emerald Isle began on a rather unusual note: back in 2012, I stumbled upon the traditional Irish folk music of The Dubliners. This new genre of music prompted me to start reading about Ireland and its history. I decided to study at the UCD Smurfit Graduate School of Business since its ranking not just in Ireland or Europe, but throughout the world was exceptional.

After coming to Dublin, I knew that I wanted to work in Ireland due to its rewarding work culture.

Continuous amelioration of my CV with assistance from the UCD Careers Network helped me get through to a few interviews. Thorough preparation for these interviews helped me get a job at IBM. I believe that the challenge really lies in being perseverant and trying to improve oneself. There are a lot of opportunities available when you’re a UCD student, but at the end of the day, it is up to you to exercise these. The modules you study, the projects you do, and internships that can be done are stepping stones towards getting your dream job; in my humble opinion.

Subhabrata Mondal Masters in Digital Innovation 2015-2016 Little did I know, that a visit to the European Higher Education fair in Bangalore in 2014, would lead me to live my dream. I was a software engineer by education and was working with one of the major retail banks in India as an IT Officer. Looking for a change in career, I was contemplating between MBA in a Tier 1 college in India and a masters abroad. I am glad that I chose UCD, which broadened my outlook towards the technology industry and prepared me to take on the challenges associated with managerial roles in the technology world.

The course covered all aspects that a manager in a technology company would face and had a very vast range of topics, starting from the very philosophical Michel Foucault to presenting Start-up Ideas and preparing their business plan! The Entrepreneurship Cell in Smurfit would keep us updated about the various start-up events in the city. It was at one of these events, that I met the cofounders of Think Biosolution where I am working presently.

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Akansha Priyadarshani MSc International Marketing Practice 2013-2014 Keen for broadening knowledge, skills and cross cultural experience, I moved on from a successful and rewarding career as a Trade Marketing and Institutional Sales Head at United Spirits to join UCD Michael Smurfit Business School for a UCDBordBia Fellowship.

UCD gave me a fantastic opportunity putting everything in place for me, studying while working and working in F&B sector and to set up a new business in a new market. It opened the world for me by providing the necessary skills and knowledge.

What advice would you give an international student in Ireland to help set them up for career success?

A change in perception has occurred with regards to social, cultural and accommodative attributes of life. For the ones who are not so sure about their future & for those people who still are under the dilemma to make a big career decision, I have advice for you, every new experience is a great experience. The most important thing to remember while studying abroad in Ireland is to make this experience your own. Say yes to everything. You’ve got an incredible opportunity in your hands, so make the most of it.

Anusha De MSc Quantitative Economics 2018-2019 BA Joint Hons Economics and Politics 2015-2018 UCD has been a package of opportunities for me. Not only in academic terms but UCD has played a huge role in my career pathway too. Being a Student Digital Ambassador, a Career Ambassador and a Global Guide gave me innumerable employable skills. UCD Careers Network’s well-advertised opportunities have helped me to obtain internships in Dublin.

The amount of help I have received from UCD Staff members since the start of my course is appreciable. Shifting to a new country to start my university was not at all easy. But, at each step, my doubts were cleared, and I was assisted. The cultural diversity on campus has helped me to adapt to a multicultural environment. The opportunities to work on campus have shaped my skills and career in an effective way. I have also received support from UCD Careers Network in internship applications and interview preparations. I will recommend UCD to other Asian students willing to come to Ireland and study.

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University College Dublin Ireland’s Global University

Simran Wadhwa MSc Marketing and Retail Innovation 2019-2020 I sincerely believe that the course of Masters in Retail Leadership from University College Dublin would help me hone the skills and knowledge that I will need to establish my own sound place in the world. I am very excited to learn about all the modules especially, Strategic Retail Leadership as I’ve never studied anything like this before and might come in handy if and when I plan to start my own entrepreneurial venture in the future.

Most importantly, I believe that Ireland will provide an environment with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds and shall help me build perspective not just professionally, but also shape up my outlook and approach towards life.

LIFE AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT! Saransh Agarwal MSc Computer Science (Negotiated Learning) 2014-2015 1. You’ll dearly miss the well-defined 4 seasons Indian weather.

Dublin has a weird weather; I was unable to decode it!

2. Indian food is available at most Asian shops. There are a few good Indian restaurants in Dublin, which are worth a try. I went to Diwali, Pickle and Ananda and they were really good.

3. Dublin is a small city, with good transport connections. If you’re willing to walk/ bike around, its an excellent place.

4. You might feel a bit aloof, due to lack of close knit Indian community here. Since, I studied in university here, I had friends from Indian Society who celebrated major festivals.

5. I’m not religious, but you’ll find places of worship in the city. Although, there aren’t many, you’ll come across a few.

6. Join clubs and societies at college. The ones I joined were the UCD Indian Society, International Students Society, Computer Science Society, Film Society, Get in Gear.

7. Make some friends who are not Indian. Eat some non-Indian food. Listen to a few non-Indian songs. Learn something from Ireland that India couldn’t teach you. This is how you grow, this is how you learn.

8. Thank the bus driver. Always!

9. Bonus: Learn to pronounce these names, your life will be easier- Aoife, Caoimhe, Saoirse, Róisín, Bláithín, Niamh, Grainne, Caoimhín, Eoghan, Tadhg, Siobhan.

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THE IRISH VIBES! Swagat Ashokrao Mhaske MSc Computer Science (Negotiated Learning) 2016-2017 Being marked as Ireland’s Global University, University College Dublin stands up tall in terms of International students, pleasing campus and the variety of courses it offers. I still remember my first day of college, wandering in the UCD campus, being scared and nervous, but high as a kite for this new phase. It is very important to get yourself involved in activities going around in the University campus, be it some event, meetups or any festival.

University College Dublin (UCD) has a dedicated Careers Network Office where you can consult regarding your CV, internships and job opportunities that you wish to apply for. The course MSc Computer Science (Negotiated Learning) offered me a Data Science specialization degree, which was what I wished to make my career in. I completed my summer Internship with Grant Thornton then started my full-time role as Analytics Developer with Bank of Ireland.

WHAT NO ONE TELLS YOU ABOUT GRADUATING? Shivangi Upadhyaya MSc Marketing-2018-2019 Graduating is a proud moment for everyone. For some it is a status symbol, for some it is about making their parents proud and for most, it is a means to get better job opportunities and fat pay cheques.

After having graduated in 2015, I realized that graduation is so much more (unexpectedly so) than what it comes across as. The time spent in college usually turns out to be an emotional roller coaster ride. It involves adjusting to things out of the comfort zone, being insanely stressed, having numerous sleepless nights learning and doing things that excite us, making friends that would be our lifeline, and stressing on what may happen in the future.

What we need to focus on during this exciting journey is how we can handle the emotional turmoil that goes on around us. There are three basic mantras that can help smoothen the ride: 1. I am relaxed and confident 2. I’m focused on the goal 3. I am there for my friends when they need me Keeping these points in check, the process is enjoyable and rewarding. In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”, so cheers and all the best for living the dream that we have nurtured!

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University College Dublin Ireland’s Global University

Nitish Anand MSc Marketing 2018-2019 Having lived in two rapidly developing markets, Asia and the Middle East, I wanted to come to Europe to widen my international network and gain exposure to a developed economy. In the current economic landscape, where more and more countries are closing their international borders, indulging in trade wars, seeking exits from trade unions and becoming conservative, Ireland is welcoming international students and businesses with open arms, thus attracting global talent and making Dublin a promising global hub.

I wanted a programme that was focused on developing in-depth financial know-how and provided me with the right tools, curriculum and international network. As Ireland’s leading business school, UCD Smurfit’s top-ranked MSc Finance programme with award-winning faculty, practical learning based curriculum and over 60% of international students provided the perfect fit.

Arshiya Tripathy MSc Business Analytics 2018-2019 The MSc in Business Analytics program at the University College Dublin is ranked as 13th best in the world by QS World University Ranking. The course structure and curriculum provided the perfect amalgamation of data analytics along with business and consulting subjects.

From my past professional experience, I had realised that there can be multiple ways to approach and solve a single business problem and to decide the best one, an exhaustive knowledge of all the approaches, techniques and tools are required. This course teaches important analytical methods and business frameworks and their practical applications.

DEVIKA RAINA MSc Project Management 2015-2016 I am Devika Raina, currently working in Strategy and PreSales for TCS’ Hitech clients. I completed my Master’s in Project Management from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, Dublin. I chose Smurfit Business School to pursue my education as it is one of the highly ranked Business Schools in the world. I had students from around 19 nationalities in my class, which helped me understand cultures, mindset and prepare me for a globally diverse ecosystem in the future. The well curated coursework and live projects have been tremendously helpful and rewarding. My career advice to future students is to be willing to fail and experiment in your projects while you pursue your education, one may never get such a well supported platform again.

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Shubham Banerjee MSc International Business 2018-2019 With an undergraduate degree in Finance and International Business, I was looking at furthering my understanding of the global markets. The course (M.Sc. International Business) offered by UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School was structured in a way which allowed a healthy amalgamation of traditional lectures and applied learning. Multiple applied projects and the option of undertaking a Consultancy Project (opportunity to work with a real company on a project) in the final semester gave me the ideal opportunity to apply my learnings in the real world. This helped me hone some critical soft skills which in my opinion has made me not only ‘Educated’ but also ‘Employable.’

To say the least, the last year at Smurfit saw me grow as a student, gain cultural experiences, learn new things and forge friendships for life.

VIKAS PRASANNA MSc Digital Innovation 2017-2018 Why did you choose UCD? And why Ireland?

It’s a funny story, to be honest, I initially planned to pursue a master’s degree in the US, but had a hard time arranging my finances. So, when I looked at other options that would cost me less but did not compromise on the quality and standards of education, UCD happened to be right up that list. In 2016, the Irish market was just starting to see that spur of growth in the IT sector. With the news of Brexit looming hot and cold back then, my personal research suggested that the IT market was ready to take off as the country would be the only English speaking nation in the EU that shared the same time zone as the UK as well as providing a great FDI environment. My personal highlight of this programme was the wide array of perceptions that I was able to witness during the study year that consistently amazed me – and this happened only because there were students from at least 10 different countries sitting in the same room.

Career advice for future students?

A lot of you will walk into the college thinking it’s going to be the same life in a jazzy world, but the reality is that you’ll walk out of the same place as completely new people with a better understanding of life when you graduate. The bubble we live in will surely expand on many fronts.

My sincere advice is don’t isolate yourself. The pressure to perform will be high – be open-minded and embrace all the difficulties that come in your way. You will get wha t you want, only if you fight for it until the end. Make some really good friends and keep them close to you as you would keep your family. At the end of the day, your friends’ circle will be the most influential part of this journey!

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University College Dublin Ireland’s Global University

MESSAGES FROM UCD PROFESSORS Professor Ravindranathan Thampi, Vice Principal of Internationalisation (VPI), UCD College of Engineering and Architecture The UCD College of Engineering and Architecture provides a multinational environment for students. Indians are proud of their ‘unity in diversity’ and likewise we see diversity as a source of UCD’s innate strength. Our students as well as the teaching staff are from diverse cultures and we strive to keep a good balance of nationalities in our college to improve the competencies of our cohorts in a truly international learning atmosphere. The rapid progress we see in India today throws also new challenges along with it. UCD College of Engineering & Architecture will certainly make their discerning students acquire the skills required to meet the new challenges.

Professor Brian Fynes, Associate Dean (International), UCD College of Business UCD College of Business is Ireland’s leading business school and attracts the best students from around the world onto our programmes. We attract great calibre students from India and they bring so much to the classroom and the student experience. We have very active alumni networks and chapters throughout the world, including in India. Our graduates from India have been doing really well in placing with great companies in Ireland, India and other locations. In aiming to attract great students, the UCD team visit India three times a year where we meet many of our incoming students in person.

Dr Richard Collins, Vice Principal for Internationalisation (VPI), College of Social Sciences and Law The College of Social Sciences and Law at University College Dublin (UCD) has enjoyed a long-standing connection to India, particularly with the fourth President of India, VV Giri (1894-1980) having studied law at UCD between the years 1913 and 1916. This historical connection has since been instrumental in the launch of a seminar series, scholarship programme and has fostered academic collaborations between UCD and Indian academics. More broadly the College has been a welcome home for Indian students in recent years, welcoming students across programmes in law, economics, information and communication studies, politics and international relations and a fascinating range of other social sciences programmes. Indian students bring important and unique insights to these programmes and have made - and continue to make - a terrific contribution to academic life on campus.

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Dr Aoife Whelan, Vice Principal of Internationalisation (VPI), UCD College of Arts and Humanities UCD College of Arts and Humanities offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in a wide variety of subject areas including Art History, Classics, Creative Writing, English, History, Irish Studies, Languages and Music, along with interdisciplinary programmes combining methodologies and content from a range of perspectives. The College has a strong cohort of international students who add to the diversity of its programmes. Our intake of students from India has been steadily increasing, reflecting the broad appeal of our programmes to students across the globe. As well as subject specialisms our graduates develop career-ready, transferrable skills such as critical thinking, oral and written communication skills and digital competence which are often a key factor in securing employment. Faculty-led research focussing on India has also increased, further strengthening close ties with UCD’s partner universities in India. I look forward to welcoming a new cohort of students who will join the ranks of our global Arts and Humanities graduates.

Professor Jeremy Simpson, Vice Principal of Internationalisation (VPI), UCD College of Science Despite now having visited India on more than 25 separate occasions over the last 5 years in my role as VP International for the UCD College of Science, I never cease to be amazed by the passion and energy that Indian students show for education and gaining of knowledge to enhance their career prospects. What I then witness back in the classroom or laboratory in UCD is very similar, namely the enthusiasm that our Indian students have for their discipline. Over the years I have taught and worked with dozens of such students, and consistently they are the ones who motivate the rest of the class and raise the standards.

In the global workplace in which we exist the competition for the next step on the career ladder can be fierce, but yet what I have seen time and time again is that the Indian graduates from our programmes in UCD Science are competitive and are able to secure those much sought positions, both in academia and industry. I sincerely believe that this is a golden time for Science and therefore Science graduates, and I see Indians at the heart of this. The pace of scientific discovery has never been greater, and as traditional discipline boundaries become blurred, there is the increasing need for individuals who can rise to the challenge of learning beyond their one expertise. The Indians students who I now see engaging with the exciting range of programmes available in UCD Science are perfectly placed for this challenge, and so have a bright future ahead of them.

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University College Dublin Ireland’s Global University

UCD INDIAN SOCIETY About a decade back, seeing Indian university students in Ireland was a rare sight. Today, it is extremely common to see Indian students milling about the streets of Dublin in their huddles. With the number of Indian students arriving on Irish shores increasing year after year, there is a very strong reason for Indian cultural student societies to be established so students feel at home in a foreign land.

UCD Indian Society (UCD IndSoc) was established in 2014 to represent and celebrate the Indian culture at UCD. Every academic year kicks off with a Welcome Reception for the new students. This allows people to meet others who are new like them, as well as seniors. This allows the students to make friends with people who come from the same cultural background as them, easing any kinds of insecurities and culture shocks that ďŹ rst-timers are bound to experience.

Holi

Diwali

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Soon after, as October rolls around, Diwali, one of our most well-received events, is celebrated right on the UCD campus. Weather permitting, the students burst fire crackers out in the open, before heading back indoors for a nice Indian feast.

Apart from aiming to give you a home-like environment during all festivals, UCD IndSoc also hosts various events to de-stress during the more hectic months closer to the exam season. We organise movie nights, cricket matches, Bollywood Nights and other amazing programmes for all to chill out and yet stay motivated for the semester end.

Semester 2 at UCD starts with a bang, but for IndSoc it’s all about celebrating the beautiful festival of colours, Holi. Holi is celebrated with some amazing food, music and colours at an open field on UCD campus.

UCD IndSoc aims to make all our events better than before and feedback from our members helps us do exactly that. We look forward to welcoming you to an amazing year at UCD and to learn, grow and experience with you.

Navratri

Bollywood Night

UCD SOUTH ASIA GLOBAL CENTER Regus Business Center, 12th Floor, Building 8C DLF Cyber Hub, Gurgaon – 122001, Haryana.

+91-0124-4696626/6655 india@ucd.ie www.ucd.ie/global UCDGlobal UCDGlobal @UCDGlobal UCDGlobal