University College Dublin (UCD) and Northeastern University (NU) have today announced the establishment of a new double Masters Degree programme in Sustainability Engineering Leadership during an event held in Washington DC, attended by Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, TD.
The universities have collaborated to establish this first-of-its-kind degree programme in response to the growing global demand for expertise in sustainability and leadership within the engineering sector, further strengthening the ties between Massachusetts and Ireland as hubs of innovation and sustainability.
The new double Masters Degree programme will welcome its inaugural student cohort in September 2025, offering a global cohort the opportunity to study their first year in Boston and second year in Dublin. Graduates of the double Masters Degree in Sustainability Engineering Leadership will emerge as leaders in sustainability implementation, equipped with the technical, analytical, and leadership skills needed to drive meaningful change across industries worldwide.
Speaking at the event, Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD, said, “Universities are significant partners in advancing international co-operation through their education, research and innovation initiatives. Ireland’s universities, including University College Dublin are supporting the expansion of our global footprint through world-class education such as this collaboration with Northeastern University. Programmes such as this demonstrate the value of international student mobility in forging lasting ties between Ireland and the United States and students choosing Ireland as their destination for study and innovation become part of a new and dynamic Irish diaspora."
Professor Orla Feely, President, UCD said, “This new double Masters Degree programme is built on a trusted partnership that University College Dublin and Northeastern University have cultivated over nearly two decades, fostering study abroad, collaborative research, and joint academic initiatives. Speaking as an engineer I particularly recognise the new programme’s importance in addressing global sustainability challenges. Our new Sustainability Engineering Leadership students will be our future leaders innovating and integrating sustainability into engineering solutions, driving meaningful change in this important sector.”
Northeastern Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, David Madigan, said, “The new joint degree represents an exciting evolution of the long-standing strategic partnership between University College Dublin and Northeastern University. We look forward to launching this and future programs together as well as deepening our research partnership in the years to come."