We continue to be gratified with the recognition of DCU's Access Programme through corporate donations. Thank you to all the companies who have made gifts of Access Scholarships to make sure that no bright mind is excluded from participating in the university experience.

We are delighted to annodunce a visionary gift confirmed by Irish Public Bodies Mutual Insurance in support of 7 GAA Scholarships and 35 Scholarships to be awarded through the Access Programme. What makes this gift very special is that a portion of the contribution will be used to create the Irish Public Bodies Endowment Fund that will generate scholarships in perpetuity for students enrolled through the Access Programme. Our warm appreciation goes to Irish Public Bodies for leading the way in helping DCU develop a sustainable funding base to keep the doors of higher education open to all.

It's a pleasure to also acknowledge publicly a donation of €80,000 from Grant Thornton ( Ireland ) Ltd. to be used as scholarships for students availing of DCU's Access Programme. This gift from Grant Thornton means that for the next four years ten students will be enabled to achieve their goal of a primary degree. Thank you to Grant Thornton for this investment in developing individual's potential through higher education.

Our friends in the corporate community have always known that higher education is the pathway that young people must follow to fulfil their potential in their careers and indeed their lives. In 2004 Treasury Holdings committed €40,000 over 4 years towards Access Scholarships for students from greater Ballymun, the largest catchment area for DCU. A recent report by the Higher Education Authority shows that the number of school-going children in the Ballymun area progressing to university has increased from 14.2% in 1998 to 27.6% in 2004. While this is still short of the national average of 56%, we're confident that progress will continue to be made with support and encouragement like that of Niall Kavanagh, Senior Development Manager of Treasury Holdings, “given Treasury Holdings' significant involvement in the Ballymun area, we wanted to give something back to the local community. We are delighted to be involved in this programme which ensures that young people have the opportunity to make the most of their talents. An investment in their education is one which will provide dividends not only for the students, but also for their families and the community at large.”

An endowed scholarship has been created at DCU in memory of Electronic Engineering graduate, Aidan McDonnell, who passed away in June 2006. Aidan was a talented engineer and Gaelic footballer from Ballina, Co. Mayo who played for his local team of Kilfian. Aidan graduated in 2004 and went on to join Vilicom Ltd. The company has initiated an endowment fund supporting the Aidan McDonnell Memorial Access Scholarship to honour Aidan's memory. The endowment fund will provide for an annual scholarship for a student(s) from County Mayo with preference being given where possible to students registered in an electronic engineering programme. To learn more about or contribute to this special memorial, please contact Catherine Brady catherine.brady@dcu.ie at the Educational Trust.

Bewley's Ltd . have committed their support for one Access Scholarship per year for the foreseeable future. This is a remarkable endorsement of the Programme and their gift will have far-reaching effects. Marketing Director, Noel-John McLoughlin was pleased to open up a closer relationship with DCU "Bewley's have a corporate policy of supporting our local community by investing both financially, and through providing resources, for ongoing education at primary, secondary and third level education. This local investment helps to ensure the sustainability of our local workforce and to further enhance our reputation as an employer of choice to future graduates" (Please click logo to enter Bewley's website)

Two scholarships per year for the next four years are proudly supported by Accenture . Carmel Woods, Corporate Citizenship says the company puts huge value in the power of education “Education is a central theme to Accenture's Corporate Citizenship programme. Our aim is to support local organisations that are promoting access to education, particularly to those in disadvantaged areas. We are delighted to sponsor 2 scholarships for DCU Access students. We hope that the scholarships will assist students with the costs they face each year, allowing them to concentrate fully on their studies.  Our sponsorship is also a great opportunity for Accenture to maintain and strengthen our existing links with DCU.”

We are delighted to announce support from AOL Europe for the DCU Access Scholarship Programme. By committing to providing funding for 5 Access Scholarships each year, AOL Europe have made it possible for 5 students to commit to their chosen course of study. It is our pleasure to acknowledge this donation.

“Education and universal access to Education is a key theme of AOL's program for Corporate Social Responsibility. AOL supports a number of local and national organisations that are promoting access to academic and vocational education, particularly to those from disadvantaged areas. As part of this overall program, AOL is delighted to sponsor five scholarships for DCU Access students, we hope that the students will use this support to focus on fulfilling their capabilities without regard to financial concerns that would have otherwise hindered their development. Our sponsorship is also a great opportunity for AOL to maintain and strengthen our existing links with DCU” – Aengus McClean, Vice President, AOL Europe

We're honoured to have received a bequest from the estate of Mr. Frank Whelan designated for post-graduate pancreatic research at the National Institute of Cellular Biotechnology at DCU.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has made a generous pledge to support a 3-year Doctoral Scholarship in our School of Politics and Law. We deeply appreciate ICTU's endorsement of DCU students' work in researching issues in migration, social integration and the impact on labour relations in contemporary Ireland .

EBS – Community Investment Through the support of their respective Community Investment Groups we have received generous donations towards the Access Scholarship Programme from the following EBS branches in 2007.
EBS Drogheda
EBS Finglas
EBS Mullingar
EBS Raheny
EBS Sligo
EBS Sutton

“ The Community Investment Groups were formed in response to feedback from our members who felt that EBS should “put the heart back into local communities”. From these viewpoints the concept of Community Investment Groups grew and since its birth it has grown from strength to strength. The initiative is designed to support the local communities where we live and work”.

Corporate social responsibility is helping to build a robust culture of philanthropy throughout Ireland . Thank you to all of our friends in the corporate community for your consistent and deeply appreciated support.

The DCU Educational Trust is delighted to acknowledge support from Chartered Accountants Ireland - Leinster Society for the DCU Access Scholarship Programme.

"This year, Chartered Accountants -Leinster Society are delighted to announce that it has pledged to sponsor a student entering DCU in 2010 under the Access Programme to complete a 4 year degree in Accounting and Finance.  We look forward to working with the DCU Educational Trust for the next 4 years”, said Deirdre Cowler, Education and Colleges Officer.

The DCU Access Programme addresses the financial burden and other barriers that otherwise prevent bright, academically gifted young people from attending university.  Students enrolled through the Access Programme come from under-served areas of Ireland and have experie nced socio-economic disadvantage.  Once at DCU, these students receive academic guidance and financial assistance in the form of scholarships.  The Access Programme was initiated by DCU in 1990 and is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year. The Programme was the first of its kind in Ireland and is now the largest.  DCU is very proud of its commitment to these students and to those who will follow them.