Named Irish University of the Year in 2003, 2005, 2011 and 2016 by the Sunday Times, University College Cork, Ireland is set on making India its focal point for collaborative research, recruitment and awareness strategy — SUMMIYA YASMEEN Founded in 1845 as one of three Queen’s Colleges in Belfast, Cork and Galway, University College Cork (UCC) is among the oldest and most highly rated and respected institutions of higher education in the Republic of Ireland. A constituent institution of the National University of Ireland, it combines a rich tradition of teaching, research and scholarship and was named Irish University of the Year by the Sunday Times in 2003, 2005, 2011 and 2016. In the CWTS Leiden Ranking 2015 based on bibliometric indicators compiled by the Netherlands-based Leiden University’s Centre for Science and Technology Studies, University College Cork, Ireland was adjudged #1 in Ireland, #16 in Europe and #52 globally. Moreover, in the recently released QS World University Rankings 2015, the 170-year-old university is ranked #233 worldwide. Currently the university’s four colleges — arts, Celtic studies and social sciences; business and law; science, engineering and food science; and medicine and health — offer a rich menu of undergraduate and postgrad programmes to over 20,000 students with 3,000 foreign students from 100 countries around the world including 200 from India, instructed by 762 faculty. “As Ireland’s leading research-led university, UCC prides itself on the quality of its faculty and study programmes. Our students can expect an academic system that focuses on individuals rather than whole classes. We are also consciously making India a focal point for collaborative research, recruitment and awareness strategy. Last year, University College Cork, Ireland had a 100 percent increase in applications from India,” says Dr. Christopher Shepard, international strategy officer, University College Cork, Ireland, who visited India last month (November). Cork. Ireland’s second largest city, Cork (pop. 300,000) offers the advantages of a metro with none of its disadvantages. Situated on the banks of the river Lee, this scenic city with expansive gardens is the principal commercial and banking centre of southern Eire with a busy, thriving seaport, which hosts a large number of modern industries. On the eastern side of the city, quays and docks on the river banks lead to Lough Mahon and Cork Harbour, one of the world’s largest natural harbours. Recently named the ‘European capital of culture’, the city also boasts a number of art galleries, museums, theatres, cinemas, cafes, restaurants, pubs, and sports facilities. The busy market town of Middleton, on the city’s doorstep, distils the world-famous Jameson whiskey while the picturesque town of Cobh — the last port of call of the Titanic, and Kinsale, the ‘Gourmet capital of Ireland’, are a short drive away. The climate of Cork, like the rest of Ireland, is moderate and changeable with abundant rainfall. There are 204 rainy days on average per year. Temperatures in summer range from 14°C- 18°C and between -2°C-8°C in winter. Campus facilities. Sprawled over 130 lush green acres, the UCC campus is distinguished…
