UCD launches collection of Community Engaged Learning Impact Case Studies
UCD strives to play an active and positive role within our communities, but often the people and success stories around community engagement activities across the university are unseen and unrecorded. UCD in the Community recognises the need to shine a light on these activities while, at the same time, supporting the establishment of new and diverse community initiatives.
UCD in the Community along with other UCD faculty launched a collection of Community Engaged Learning Impact Case Studies spanning 6 different modules, and capturing evidence of some of the excellent community-engaged learning (CEL) initiatives happening in UCD. The celebratory event brought together UCD colleagues and students on Wednesday, 23 October in UCD's Global Lounge.
Niamh Byrne, UCD in the Community, welcomed everyone to the launch, and emphasised the pivotal role UCD plays within the wider community and the importance of the University going beyond the campus walls to enrich students and the surrounding community educationally, socially and economically. Dr Adamaria Perrotta, School of Mathematics and Statistics, thanked UCD Global for providing the funding to develop the case studies. The audience heard from two inspirational speakers who's module's featured in the case studies:
Kathleen O'Reilly, UCD School of Business University Teaching Specialist and Academic Director for the MSc in Management Consultancy presented on her Consulting with NGO's module for undergrads. Kathy spoke about the importance in providing students with the opportunity to "contribute to the local community while learning real business consulting skills", both inside and outside the classroom.
Professor Oonagh Breen, UCD Sutherland School of Law runs the NGO, Law and Social Change module, spoke passionately about being able to take the benefits of higher education and apply them in the real world to the benefit of all. Professor Oonagh spoke about how the module allows students to give back, share knowledge of charity law and support deserving NGOs with "whom we are privileged to partner".
To conclude the event, Niamh Byrne encouraged staff to introduce community engagement into their work, and to share the case studies with colleagues and community organisations hoping to get involved.