Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris commented on the innovative collaboration between UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and Howard University School of Business during An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s visit to the Vice President’s Residence as part of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations earlier this year.
“An Taoiseach visited my alma mater, Howard University, to celebrate and strengthen programs between the students there and the Smurfit Business School in Dublin,” commented Vice President Harris. “So, through this and many other exchanges, including the pride that both Ireland and the United States take in the relationship between Frederick Douglass and Ireland, we show that through the years, through generations, this is a strong and enduring relationship that makes us all very proud.”
Her comments marked the beginning of the second half of the exchange, where 19 students from UCD Smurfit School and UCD Quinn School, visited Washington DC to focus on doing business in international markets, sustainable development goals, diversity and inclusion and cross-cultural learning which have resulted in scholarships available to Howard University students to continue their studies at Ireland’s leading business school for the upcoming academic year.
Miriam Sanvito, a UCD CEMS Master in International Management student, commented on the ability of the Howard University students to speak confidently. “It’s so important that we as students learn to think critically, express our opinion and show that we have something to offer. This experience has inspired me to try as much as possible to use my own voice and share my opinion to have a positive impact.”
On the partnership, Professor Doyle concluded, “We were delighted that world leaders including Vice President of the United States of America Kamala Harris, An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Irish Ambassador to the US Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, endorsed this initiative by giving generously of their time and support.”