Dual BA Program Agreement Signed by Trinity College Dublin and Columbia University
Yesterday evening, Trinity College Dublin President Patrick Prendergast and Columbia University Executive Vice President and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences David Madigan signed an agreement officially recognizing the newly-launched Dual BA Program between Trinity College Dublin and Columbia University at an event held in Casa Italiana on Columbia’s Morningside Campus.
The Program, which will welcome its inaugural class this fall, transcends traditional study abroad opportunities by providing the opportunity to pursue a rigorous undergraduate liberal arts education spanning two continents. Upon completion of the four-year program, graduates earn two bachelor’s degrees, one from each institution.
“As EVP of A&S and Dean of Faculty, and as a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, I am proud to launch this important new program. This new Dual BA Program gives our students the opportunity to be exposed to ideas, literature, language, and culture through immersion into two of the best undergraduate programs in the world. Trinity is a world-class university with many international partnerships and a vibrant and talented student body, but we at Columbia University are thrilled to be its first partner in an undergraduate Dual BA program. The collaboration between our faculties has created a Dual BA experience that combines the best of our academic programs, at a scale and depth that will benefit our students with an education that is both Irish and American,” Professor David Madigan said.
Students spend years one and two at Trinity College Dublin studying within one of four program tracks—English, European Studies, History, or Middle Eastern and European Languages and Cultures, after which they matriculate at Columbia, completing one of several approved majors and the University’s core curriculum in years three and four.
The event featured remarks by Lisa Rosen-Metsch, Dean of the School of General Studies; David Madigan, EVP and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Columbia University; and Dr. Patrick Prendergast, President of Trinity College Dublin. Also in attendance were professors from both institutions, as well as Trinity alumni and Irish-Americans from the New York area. A reception followed the signing of the agreement.
“This is an historic day for us, partnering with Columbia University, one of America’s leading universities. Trinity has produced some of the world’s great minds across the arts and humanities, including the Nobel Laureate, Samuel Beckett, and more recently the Booker Prize winner, Anne Enright. Similarly arts and humanities are pillars of Columbia University’s stellar reputation, bringing the world’s best art and ideas to our attention. Together, both institutions will draw on both the traditional and innovative, encouraging students to challenge themselves and develop an understanding of an increasingly globalised world. This program offers a truly international educational experience for our students,” Dr. Prendergast said.
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About the Dual BA Program
The Dual BA Program between Trinity College Dublin and Columbia University builds upon a long-standing exchange program partnership between both universities, as well as the success of two pre-existing international dual-degree programs within the Columbia University School of General Studies. The second transatlantic undergraduate program at Columbia University, the Program is founded upon previous partnerships in both Europe and Asia, and serves as a model for future cooperative efforts between Columbia and international universities.
About Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College Dublin is recognised internationally as Ireland’s leading university and is one of the world’s top 100. The university offers world-class teaching and scholarship in all major academic disciplines across the arts and humanities, business, law, engineering, science, social sciences, and health sciences. More than 17,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students benefit from an education that is inspired by current research and taught by academics at the frontiers of their disciplines. It promotes a diverse, interdisciplinary, inclusive environment that nurtures groundbreaking research, innovation, and creativity through engaging with issues of global significance. A Trinity education encourages the development of critical skills and is adaptive to the needs of current and future students and graduates.
About Columbia University
Among the world’s leading research universities, Columbia University in the City of New York continuously seeks to advance the frontiers of scholarship and foster a campus community deeply engaged in the complex issues of our time through teaching, research, patient care, and public service. The University comprises 16 undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools, four affiliated colleges and seminaries in Manhattan, and a wide array of research institutes and global centers around the world. More than 40,000 students, award-winning faculty, and professional staff define the University’s underlying values and commitment to pursuing new knowledge and educating informed, engaged citizens. Founded in 1754 as King’s College, Columbia is the fifth oldest institution of higher learning in the United States.
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Christina Gray
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