Construction BUSINESS

Teaching, research and student accommodation at Trinity College Dublin will be transformed over the next two years with the backing of a €100 million long-term European Investment Bank (EIB) loan for four capital developments across the campus.

This will include the flagship E3-Engineering, Environment and Emerging Technologies initiative at Trinity. Central to the vision of E3 is the construction of the Learning Foundry, a state-of-the-art 6,086 square metre facility based on the main Trinity campus which will deliver new teaching facilities and an innovative interactive learning space for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The Schools of Engineering, Computer Science and Statistics, and Natural Sciences will share the new Learning Foundry which will be a launchpad for a new kind of education experience for students with a focus on collaborative and project work. It will have capacity for 1,800 additional places for students of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) which constitutes an increase of 50% STEM places over ten years.

Other capital developments will include the expansion of student accommodation at Trinity Hall in Dartry to house 300 new beds for students, as well as the expansion of the School of Law and the refurbishment of the Arts Block.

Dr Patrick Prendergast, Trinity Provost, and EIB VP, Andrew McDowell, pictured with students Pranav Darshan and Ana-Maria Murphy-Teixidor.

The 30 year loan from the world’s largest internationally owned public bank will be used by Trinity alongside other sources of financing, including philanthropic donations.

The European Investment Bank is the long-term lending institution of the European Union. Its priority is to support projects that make significant contribution to growth and employment in Europe. The EIB support was announced during a visit to Trinity College by Vice President of the European Investment Bank, Andrew McDowell where he was welcomed by Trinity Provost, Dr Patrick Prendergast.

Vice President of the European Investment Bank, Andrew McDowell, said: “New investment is crucial to continually strengthen research, educational excellence and world-class innovation, as well as provide students with skills for the 21stcentury. The impact of visionary investment can be seen here at Trinity College, the largest university beneficiary of European Investment Bank support in Ireland, where we have provided more than €245 million for new investment over the last decade. In recent years the EIB has supported transformational investment as all Irish universities and EIB are pleased to continue our close cooperation with the sector with the new €100 million loan agreed.”

Provost of Trinity College Dublin, Dr Patrick Prendergast, said: “We are investing in educational and research facilities for the benefit of all our students and staff. The financing EIB has provided to Trinity has been crucial in strengthening our research and education facilities. Without such support, we would not have been able to progress with important flagship projects such as E3 and much needed student accommodation. Their support combined with important philanthropic fundraising are essential in building a better university for the benefit of all.”

Earlier this year, the Naughton family made the single largest private philanthropic donation in the history of the state to the new E3 development by donating €25 million. An additional €15 million is being made available by the Department of Education and Skills. This funding will be provided through the Higher Education Authority (HEA).

The proposed student accommodation at Trinity Hall is in addition to the student residence which is currently under construction at the Printing House Square development on Pearse Street which will provide accommodation for 250 students, as well as a student health centre, disability service centre and sports facilities.