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University College Dublin and Northeastern University announce new Double Degree in Sustainability Engineering Leadership

14 March 2025

Northeastern Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, David Madigan, Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD, and UCD President Professor Orla Feely

University College Dublin (UCD) and Northeastern University (NU) have 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 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 programme 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."

UCD President Professor Orla Feely 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, added: “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."

By: Staff Writers

To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie

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