Specsavers announces Partnership with the National Optometry Centre at TU Dublin
SPECSAVERS Ireland has announced an exciting academic partnership with Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin), providing expert mentorship and support to optometry students.
The partnership aims to empower students to gain practical knowledge and insight into the optometry industry. It will also help to help them develop the necessary skillsets required to excel in a professional environment and their academic studies.
As part of the partnership, many of TU Dublin’s students are matched with a Specsavers store in their local area, where they can complete a work placement in a professional environment. As well as providing work experience, this partnership will enable students to gain access to Specsavers’ recruitment network, where they will receive information concerning professional opportunities based on their academic qualifications.
Furthermore, TU Dublin optometry and dispensing students will also receive bespoke peer mentoring from Specsavers experts helping plan the next steps in their careers. Specsavers optometrists will also present regular guest lectures, providing an insight into the professional world of optometry.
Speaking about this exciting partnership, Head Clinical Optometrist at the National Optometry Centre, TU Dublin, Oona O'Carroll, says: "TU Dublin’s National Optometry Centre (NOC) is proud of our longstanding relationship with Specsavers. TU Dublin is the sole provider of education to optometrists in Ireland and a centre of excellence, serving our students and eyecare professionals across the country and the sector as a whole.”
Ms O’Carroll continues, "This partnership highlights our shared commitment to the future talent for optometry in Ireland and continues to ensure the highest standards of eyecare for Irish patients. Over the next few years, we look forward to deepening our existing relationship with Specsavers and seeing our students grow in their studies, both academically and professionally."
Darren Connolly, Chairman of the Specsavers greater Dublin region and a TU Dublin graduate, says: "We are delighted to establish this partnership with TU Dublin. At Specsavers, we are passionate about seeing our colleagues grow and develop. Bringing this to a student level to support the growth of their careers in eye health is very exciting for us.
We’re looking forward to connecting with students and providing them with the insight and professional skills they need to grow and flourish in their professional careers."
Mr Connolly adds: "We already work very closely with many students across our local stores, and we are incredibly proud of their commitment to learning, and developing new skills. We are enthusiastic about having even more students join our local teams and start their career journey with Specsavers as part of our partnership with TU Dublin."