DCU could be designated a leading institution in social entrepreneurship education. The accreditation would be part of the “Changemaker Campus” initiative, a worldwide partnership of leaders in social innovation. The initiative was started by Ashoka, a non-profit organisation which supports social entrepreneurship.
According to the organisation’s website the designation is given when “after establishing an institutional partnership with select universities, Ashoka works with teams of entrepreneurial students and faculty to accelerate their growth as hubs of social innovation”.
The idea is that students are encouraged to find solutions to global problems such as climate change and poverty and to work towards positive social change.
Ashoka representatives visited DCU campus from January 16th-17th. Michele Leaman from Ashoka Washington and Sarah Bernstein from Ashoka Dublin were hosted by DCU President Professor Brian MacCraith and Dr Emer Ní Bhrádaigh, a DCU lecturer in entrepreneurship.
The representatives were given a campus tour and met representatives from the Student Support & Services Office and the Age Friendly University Office as well as being introduced to Students’ Union President Paul Doherty and Education Officer Aaron Clougher.
Representatives from RAG Society, Islamic Society, Enactus, Esoc, SUAS, CoderDojo and Saint Vincent de Paul Society meet the visiting leaders.
The Changemaker Campus partnership was launched in 2008 and it is planned to include 30 campuses worldwide by 2015.
Aisling Kett
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