Enactus Ireland (formerly Students In Free Enterprise) recently announced that the University of Limerick has joined the Irish programme of the world’s largest university-based partnership between business and higher education for social change. At an event today in the Quinn School of Business, UCD, Leinster Rugby captain, Leo Cullen welcomed the new participating universities during a Leadership forum and Q&A session at the South Dublin University.   
 
University College Cork, National University of Ireland Maynooth and University of Limerick will join students from Dublin City University, NUI Galway, Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin who have already competed in last year’s competition to create Ireland’s best social entrepreneurship programme. Already, last year’s Irish winner, DCU, competed in the Enactus World Cup in Washington DC last month.

Founded in the US in 1975, Enactus is an international, not-for-profit organisation which encourages university students to make a positive difference to their communities, while developing the skills to become socially responsible business leaders of the future.

The seven teams will work on their chosen initiatives during the academic year which will then be presented to a judging panel of senior Irish business leaders at a national competition which will be held in Dublin in May next year. The winning Irish team will then progress to represent Ireland at the prestigious ENACTUS 2013 World Cup.

Welcoming the three new universities to Enactus Ireland Leo Cullen, Leinster rugby captain and Enactus Ireland Director, said; “The first year of ENACTUS in Ireland saw four Irish universities take part in what is a hugely worthwhile initiative. From being involved in judging the competition last May I saw at first hand not only the fantastic projects that the students developed, but also the great personal skills they acquired in the process. Because of that I’m delighted that three more colleges have come on board for this year’s programme. I’d really urge the students in the seven universities to get involved in Enactus where lifelong skills such as teamwork and leadership will be fostered as well as getting an understanding of how the principles of social entrepreneurship can make a profound and long-lasting positive impact.”