Leon Flynn, Larkin College; Narahee Nglande, Marino College; Professor Gina Quin, President National College of Ireland; Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daithí de Róiste; Jodie Byrne, Larkin College; Tyrell Emeordi, Larkin College.

National College of Ireland was proud to be the first to welcome Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithí de Róiste in an official capacity, when he attended the Discover University show case, viewing work by second-level students who had attended the Early Learning Initiative’s summer programme.

First elected as a councillor (FF) for the Ballyfermot/Drimnagh area in 2014 when he was 26 and serving on multiple committees since, including the Finance SPC and Dublin City Joint Policing Committee, Daithí de Róiste was elected the 355th Lord Mayor of Dublin on Monday 26th June.

Holding a degree in History from UCD and a Master’s in Public Affairs from DIT (now TUD), the Lord Mayor greatly values education and lifelong learning. He commented:

“It is great to see the impressive work these students have produced. I hope that the insight they have gained from Discover University has inspired them to continue to progress their studies. I’m delighted to be at National College of Ireland, which I know is very much part of Dublin’s NEIC community, most especially through the strong relationships built by the Early Learning Initiative.”

Professor Gina Quin, President of NCI; Dr Josephine Bleach, Director of the Early Learning Initiative; Brigina O’Riordan, Senior Coordinator with ELI; and Rebecca Adeyemo, Education Guidance and Tuition Support Tutor, greeted the Lord Mayor and introduced him to Discover University students.

Professor Quin said: “We are very honoured to host the Lord Mayor at NCI so early in his term of office. I hope the warmth of welcome he has received today, and the excitement with which his visit has been met, sets the tone for the year ahead – I wish him every success.”

The Early Learning Initiative at National College of Ireland runs Discover University every summer, introducing students aged 14-17 to higher education. This year, 34 students from schools all across Dublin, including Marino College, Larkin College and Stratford, undertook programmes in Business, Early Childhood Education and Care, Computing and Psychology, learning from NCI lecturers Desmond Gibney, Anna Barr, Emer Thornbury, Dr David Mothersill and Dr Amanda Kracen, under the watchful eye of team leaders at the Early Learning Initiative who supported and encouraged them in their work.

Tyrell Emeordi and Leon Flynn, who both attend Larkin College and studied Business at Discover University, had this to say:

Tyrell: “The Dragon’s Den, where we had to pitch our products was my favourite bit.”
Leon: “Hardly, man – that was so scary!”
Tyrell: “I knew my teammates had my back, man; and I’m a natural salesman, I knew I could sell our idea.”
Leon: “I thought they’d all be up on their high horses looking down on us, but they weren’t. The panel were really friendly. I felt really good about our presentation when it was all over.”
Tyrell: “Yeah - it made me more confident. Everyone should do Discover University, you don’t just learn stuff, you get to use what you learn, you get to practice. I’d definitely recommend it.”

Rebecca Adeyemo, Education Guidance and Tuition Support Co-ordinator with ELI, said: "We are grateful to so many people for making this year's Discover University a success: our 'dragon' volunteers from the Land Development Agency, Maples, Central Bank of Ireland, Citco, Deloitte, Arthur Cox, Morgan Stanley, State Street Global Advisors and BNP Paribas; Hubspot, Trinity Sports and L.I.F.E Powered by Bohemian F.C for facilitating a wide range of excursions and workshops for the young people during the programme; and the wider NCI community, especially the amazing facilities team. The kids put in so much hard work this year, it was fabulous that they got to speak about their work to the Lord Mayor of Dublin, it made their show case a very special experience!"