“Enduring and fruitful” - UCD and UC Davis deepen partnership to tackle global challenges
9 May 2025
UCD President Professor Orla Feely and Chancellor of UC Davis Professor Gary S. May
An agreement of cooperation has been signed by University College Dublin and the (opens in a new window)University of California, Davis to address some of the most pressing challenges facing the world.
This new research partnership will focus on the themes of Sustainable Food Systems, One Health, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, and reaffirms both universities commitment to tackling global problems through collaborative research and education.
"This latest agreement between our universities marks an important step forward in the enduring and fruitful which has existed for over a decade,” said UCD President Professor Orla Feely, speaking at the signing ceremony.
“Building on a shared history of collaboration and exchange, this agreement of cooperation reaffirms our joint commitment to addressing some of the most pressing global challenges, namely the sustainability of food systems, One Health, and artificial intelligence.
“These are fields in which both our institutions have great strength and, indeed, lead internationally and where we feel we can drive real impact. We are proud to deepen this strategic alliance, which reflects our shared values and vision for research, education, and innovation that serves society - not just at home, but globally.”
Chancellor of UC Davis Professor Gary S. May added: “At UC Davis, we believe that global collaboration is essential to creating equitable, sustainable solutions to the world’s most complex problems.
“This agreement with University College Dublin exemplifies how strategic partnerships can harness academic excellence and interdisciplinary research to drive meaningful change–locally and globally. We’re excited about what the future holds and look forward to what our institutions can achieve together in the years ahead.”
Essential for combating climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation, Sustainable Food Systems aim to ensure the production of nutritious, high-quality food through regenerative agriculture and resilient supply chains, thereby securing food security and economic sustainability worldwide.
The One Health approach to science highlights the vital interconnections between human, animal, plant, and environmental health and promotes a multidisciplinary framework to tackle complex health challenges such as infectious diseases, food safety, and ecosystem health, which are crucial for global public health and policy development.
Artificial Intelligence continues to revolutionise research by enabling the processing of vast data sets, accelerating scientific discovery, and optimising solutions across diverse fields, including food systems and health, thus enhancing the efficiency and impact of interventions while keeping ethical considerations at the forefront.
Professor Dolores O’Riordan, UCD Vice President for Global Engagement, and Professor Orla Feely, UCD President, with Professor Gary S. May, UC Davis Chancellor; Professor Joanna Regulska, Vice Provost and Dean of Global Affairs, UC Davis; and Professor Mary Croughan, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, UC Davis
Since the signing of their first agreement of cooperation back in 2014, UCD and UCD Davis have worked to promote education, research, innovation and cultural ties.
Additionally, the universities have collaborated across a range of themes including agrifood, veterinary medicine, law, environmental research and health sciences.
Welcoming the latest development in this long-standing strategic partnership, UCD Vice-President for Global Engagement Professor Dolores O’Riordan said the relationship between UCD and UC Davis “exemplifies how strategic, long-term alliances can deliver real impact for our students, researchers, and wider communities. I’m delighted to see this partnership continue to grow in ambition and scope.”
"As a food scientist and academic, I have long admired the depth of expertise and innovation at UC Davis. This renewed partnership reaffirms our shared commitment to addressing global challenges through collaboration, whether in sustainable food systems, health, or data-driven innovation.”
Vice-Provost and Dean of Global Affairs at UC Davis Professor Joanna Regulska added: “By deepening our collaboration with University College Dublin, we are expanding opportunities for students and faculty alike to engage in transformative work that transcends borders and disciplines.
“University College Dublin brings deep expertise and leadership in fields such as agriculture, health, and data science–making them an ideal partner in advancing our shared global priorities. Together, we are building a model for international cooperation that drives innovation and prepares the next generation of global problem-solvers.”
The signing ceremony which took place during the Universitas 21 Annual Network Meeting, was attended by Daniel Kearns, Talent and Innovation Attaché at the Consulate General of Ireland in San Francisco, who spoke of the exceptional quality of research in Ireland, emphasising that the most impactful research emerges through collaboration.
He highlighted research as a cornerstone of societal progress, economic growth, and inclusive, forward-thinking development, and described the UCD-UC Davis partnership as a model for other universities to follow.
By: David Kearns, Digital Journalist / Media Officer, UCD University Relations (with materials from Caroline Byrne, UCD Research and Innovation)
To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie
