TU Dublin CSINC Awarded €1 Million for National outreach Program for teacher training and student empowerment in Computing
TU Dublin is delighted to announce the allocation of €1 million in performance funding from the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, T.D. in recognition of the impactful work of the Computer Science Inclusive Research Centre (CSINC).
President of TU Dublin, Dr Deirde Lillis, commenting on the awards, stated:
We take great pride in the remarkable achievements of the Computer Science Inclusive Research Centre (CSINC). This funding not only acknowledges the team’s dedication but also supports our commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in computing education. By empowering teachers and students through innovative outreach, CSINC is shaping a more inclusive future for technology in Ireland.
CSINC is a research centre based in the Faculty of Computing, Digital and Data at TU Dublin. CSINC activities are focused on improving the teaching and learning of Computer Science through providing student camps and workshops, conducting longitudinal research, and facilitating Teacher Continuing Professional Learning (CPL) sessions on computing topics to foster Pedagogical Content Knowledge from primary up to higher education.
Dr Keith Quille, CSINC Research Centre Director commented:
We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition from Minister Lawless and the Higher Education Authority. The award validates the hard work of our team, and the crucial role education plays in addressing inequality within the technology sector. Our national outreach program empowers students and teachers by providing training and resources, ultimately encouraging underrepresented groups to pursue careers in computing and technology.
The initiative has demonstrated tangible success through its workshops, seminars, and teacher training sessions, which have reached thousands of students and educators nationwide. By providing teachers with the tools to foster inclusive learning environments, CSINC has made meaningful strides towards improving diversity in the field of computing.
Dr Brendan Jennings, Vice President for Research and Innovation at TU Dublin, added:
The funding is a clear recognition of the pioneering work being done by CSINC in advancing computer science education. It not only supports the development of more inclusive pathways into computing for students from diverse backgrounds but also strengthens our commitment to addressing national challenges such as inequality in tech. At TU Dublin, we are proud to lead the way in fostering innovation that has a lasting, positive impact on both students and the future of the tech industry.
The funding will support the centre’s national outreach program aimed at fostering diversity in computing and enhancing students' self-efficacy in programming across primary and secondary schools in Ireland. It will also facilitate the development of new resources and partnerships to further strengthen these outreach efforts.
Read the full Press Release Here.