UCD is one of Europe’s leading research-intensive universities; an environment where undergraduate education, masters and PhD training, research, innovation and community engagement form a dynamic spectrum of activity. Since its foundation, the University has made a unique contribution to the creation of modern Ireland, based on successful engagement with Irish society on every level and across every sphere of activity. The international standing of UCD has grown in recent years; it is currently ranked within the top 1% of higher education institutions world-wide. UCD is also Ireland’s most globally engaged university with over 33,000 students drawn from 144 countries, including almost 4,000 students based at locations outside of Ireland. In 2020/21 UCD researchers secured €132 million in research grants from national and international funding agencies, companies and foundations. Since 2010/11 UCD researchers have secured over €1 billion in such grants. As Ireland’s leader in innovation, technology transfer and commercialisation, UCD’s commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship recognises the importance of active participation and collaboration to exploit leading-edge research and development outputs. Since 2003 UCD has provided support to over 400 companies and early-stage ventures through the services and supports provided across the university.
UCD Centre of Micro/Nano Manufacturing Technology (MNMT-Dublin) is one of the leading labs in advanced manufacturing technology research, and the team has made extensive collaboration with companies from various countries worldwide. Dr. Jufan Zhang from MNMT-Dublin is the UCD Lead of this project, and is organising his UCD colleagues from various disciplines to join YouLead.