In an exclusive interaction with The Free Press Journal, Prof. Frank Monahan, Head of the School of Agriculture and Food Science at University College Dublin (UCD), Prof. Eileen Gibney, Director of the UCD Institute of Food and Health, and Ms. Surabhi Joshi, Director of UCD – South Asia, discuss the academic and research prospects at UCD, the growing presence of Indian students, and the university’s efforts in fostering a global learning environment. They also shed light on scholarships, industry collaborations, student support systems, and the evolving role of AI in education.
FPJ: Can you give us an overview of the School of Agriculture and Food Science at UCD?
Prof. Frank: School of Agriculture and Food Science at UCD is one of the larger schools at UCD, with about 80 faculty members, 100 support and research staff, and approximately 2,500 students across undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs. We are ranked among the top 100 globally in Agriculture and Forestry in the QS Rankings, holding the 68th position worldwide and the fifth in Europe. Our school is highly research-active, with 95% of our academic staff engaged in research. This ensures that our teaching is informed by the latest research, providing students with up-to-date knowledge and advancements. Next year, we will be celebrating our centenary as part of UCD, marking 100 years of our integration into the university. However, our origins date back to 1838, when a model farm was established in County Dublin for training teachers in agriculture. This eventually became part of UCD in 1926.
FPJ: What is the total number of students in UCD’s agriculture & food-related programs, and how many of them are from India?
Prof. Frank: We have about 2,500 students across our undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs. Over the last five years, we’ve had approximately 160 students from India. Compared to other schools in UCD, this number is relatively low, which is why Eileen and I are on this trip organised by UCD Global—to promote agri-food as an opportunity. Many Indian students join us in engineering, science, and business, but not so much in agri-food, despite the incredible career opportunities available. Our degrees are science-based, and sometimes the depth of scientific training gets overshadowed by the term ‘agriculture.’ Our courses incorporate both science and business, and we need to do better at promoting that to Indian students.
FPJ: Do you have any statistics on the gender ratio among these 160 Indian students?
Prof. Frank: In general, our faculty and student population are evenly split at 50-50. This is a big change from 30 years ago when I joined UCD—back then, there was only one woman on a faculty of 60. Now, over 50% of the faculty are women, and the same shift is evident among students. Agriculture and food-related studies were traditionally seen as male-dominated fields, but today, about half of our students are women.
FPJ: What UCD courses are most popular among Indian students, and at what study level?
Prof. Frank: Indian students primarily prefer postgraduate programs—Masters and PhDs. The most attractive courses in our agri-food sector are Food Business Strategy, our newly launched MSc in Food Science with Nutrition, and Environmental Science. PhD programs are also highly popular. One of my colleagues has had one-third of his PhD students from India. Indian students have a strong scientific background, making them a great fit for our research-intensive environment.
FPJ: How does UCD support Master’s students in terms of funding and accommodation?
Prof. Frank: For PhD students, they are fully funded—their tuition fees are covered, and they receive a stipend for living costs. For Masters students, the main support is around securing accommodation and applying for scholarships.
Surabhi Joshi: UCD offers various scholarships, including 100%, 80%, and 50% tuition fee waivers. We also have South Asian-specific scholarships, named after VV Giri—India’s fourth president—who studied law at UCD in 1913. These include 100% and 50% tuition waivers, for which students must submit separate applications. Additionally, there are merit-based scholarships ranging from 20% to 40% that do not require a separate application.
FPJ: What kind of support does UCD provide for international students?
Surabhi Joshi: UCD Global serves as a central support hub for international students. We prioritise accommodation for them, and we have an Indian Society that celebrates festivals like Diwali, Holi, and India’s national days. With around 1,800 Indian students on campus, there is a strong community.
Prof. Eileen: Beyond that, we offer holistic support—every school has dedicated student advisors. UCD’s campus is designed for student well-being, with a large sports centre, cinema, shops, pharmacies, and a strong sense of community. We also have a Global Lounge, a space for international students to connect and share cultures. With students from 151 countries, cultural celebrations happen almost daily. UCD Global also organises activities to introduce students to Irish culture—such as soda bread-making workshops and sightseeing trips across Ireland—helping them feel at home.
FPJ: How do students participate in research projects at UCD, & what is the process for getting involved?
Prof. Eileen: When we advertise PhD positions, it’s similar to applying for a job. Students submit a CV and a cover letter, and then we invite shortlisted candidates for an interview. What we look for are strong grades in a relevant subject, whether at the undergraduate or master’s level. For our PhD programs, students don’t necessarily need a master’s—they can apply directly after their undergraduate degree. We also value prior research experience, whether through a research project, a summer studentship, or anything that shows they understand the kind of work we do. Motivation is a big factor too—we want students who are genuinely passionate and willing to put in the effort for their PhD.
At UCD, we have a significant number of students, and we’ve found that Indian students, in particular, come highly educated and very motivated. Once we shortlist candidates, the interviews are conducted over Zoom, usually with the lead researchers, professors running the project, and sometimes postdoctoral team members. After that, we inform the selected candidates. PhD intakes happen in September, January, and May, so there are opportunities year-round. Students can usually find these openings on LinkedIn, Find a PhD, and similar platforms.
FPJ: How does UCD facilitate connections between students and industry experts in food science and agriculture?
Prof. Eileen: At the undergraduate level, all our students have a placement as part of their degree. Depending on their program—whether it’s animal science, nutrition, or food science—they work in the industry for five to six months in their third year. This gives them hands-on experience, a direct connection with companies, and an understanding of how the industry operates. After completing their placement, they return for their final year with a clearer idea of career opportunities in the agriculture and food sector. Additionally, we also bring in guest lecturers who are experts in the field. They give students exposure to real-world industry insights throughout their studies.
Prof. Frank: For many students, this placement is a highlight of their degree. It helps them figure out what they enjoy and what they don’t. In many cases, these internships lead to job offers. Students often return to work for the companies where they did their placements.
FPJ: Safety is a big concern for Indian students studying abroad. How does UCD ensure student safety on and off campus?
Prof. Frank: Our campus is well-managed and open to the public—families come in on weekends, people go jogging—it’s a space that’s actively used, which in itself makes it feel very safe. There’s a very low level of crime on campus, and we have all the necessary precautions in place, like proper lighting and good visibility at night. We also have a dedicated safety office that handles risk assessments for events and travel. They ensure that everything runs smoothly and securely.
FPJ: How does UCD approach the use of AI among students, and do you encourage or limit its use for productivity?
Prof. Frank: AI is a part of life now, and we don’t ban it. Instead, we provide guidance on when and how to use it appropriately. Some tasks, especially assessments, require critical thinking, so we encourage students to engage with their work rather than rely entirely on AI.
Prof. Eileen: In research, AI offers huge opportunities, but we emphasise transparency—students must acknowledge if they’ve used AI in their work. It’s all about using it responsibly and knowing when it’s beneficial versus when it might hinder learning.
