TU Dublin Foundation Report 2020

20
PHILANTHROPY IN ACTION
Salesforce & TU Dublin: Industry Mentoring
to Promote Diversity in the ICT Sector
In Summer 2020, TU Dublin was delighted to announce a new
partnership with global leader, Salesforce. A $300,000 donation
was received to support an innovative pilot programme with the aim
of increasing the participation of underrepresented groups in the
Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) sector in Ireland.
The Saer Industry Mentorship Programme works to promote
diverse and inclusive behaviours among future ICT professionals,
while developing a diverse pipeline of talent for the sector. This
was achieved by forming strong industry partnerships, recruiting
and training professionals for mentoring and delivering a wraparound
programme of support for students.
The Programme was established to help address recruitment
challenges in the ICT sector and build on TU Dublin’s impressive
track record in this space. Rooted in the School of Computer
Science, City Campus, 120 students joined the programme from
all three campuses in early 2021.
In the short-term, students are supported to find meaningful paid
internships in ICT-related fields. In the longer-term, Saer aims to
support students towards rewarding careers in technology-related
fields after graduation. The 120 students are individuals that are
traditionally underrepresented in the ICT sector, including women,
people from social disadvantage and students with disabilities. A
key element of the success of the programme is the development
of strong partnerships with leading companies in the field and the
recruitment of company employees as mentors for the programme.
All mentors take part in a continuing professional development
(CPD) certification in early career mentoring.
Alongside mentoring from industry professionals, students also
benefit from a range of career development supports and programmes
that connect them with leaders in the ICT sector globally.
Dr Deirdre Lillis,
Head, Computer Science at TU Dublin
“Saer takes its inspiration from the old Gaelic
tradition of learning from a master craftsperson.
It connects students with accessible role models
in the industry who will mentor them through their
key transition from Higher Education to earlycareer
employment, and we are very grateful to
Salesforce for their support. Having surmounted
the first hurdle of access to University, students
from underrepresented groups often encounter
additional barriers accessing high-quality
careers, such as limited social capital and access
to professional networks. Saer addresses this by
connecting students with industry mentors early
in their educational journey. A key feature of Saer
is that it raises awareness amongst all students
of the need for inclusive learning and working
environments.”
President of TU Dublin,
Professor David FitzPatrick
“Narrowing the gender gap in ICT is a
critical mission for TU Dublin while a central
tenet of the University’s Strategic Plan is to
expand our access programmes to widen
the participation of groups such as people
with disabilities and ethnic minorities in
Higher Education. The generous support of
Salesforce will also support the creation of
local talent-pools. Salesforce Tower Dublin
is located on the North Dock in Dublin 1, a
location where just over 1 in 5 progress to
Higher Education and it is heartening to
consider that school children that walk by
the Salesforce Tower might one day take on
senior positions in that very building.”
Dr David Dempsey, Country Leader and
General Manager, Salesforce Ireland
“Our investment reflects our longstanding
commitment and our vision for the future:
a more inclusive economy in which all
young people—particularly those from
underrepresented and underserved groups—
have the skills, mentorship, and opportunities
they need to reach their full potential.”