Webinar showcases new framework for sustainable collaboration between academia and industry
TU Dublin’s Convene Enterprise Academy has hosted the Bridging Academia and Enterprise: A Framework for Sustainable Collaboration event showcasing its structured approach to building impactful partnerships between higher education and industry.
The event brought together thought academic staff to unveil the Enterprise Engagement Framework (EEF) a structured, scalable model designed to support the development of agile, industry-aligned programmes, particularly for part-time postgraduate and professional learners.
The webinar is part of the Enterprise Academy’s mainstreaming activities, designed to share key learnings and tools developed during the Convene project.
Opening remarks from the Head of the Enterprise Academy
Dr. Claire Mc Bride, Head of the Enterprise Academy and Convene Project Lead, opened the webinar remotely from the National Skillnet Convention in Enfield, where she was representing TU Dublin. She acknowledged TU Dublin’s unique position as the only university represented at the Skillnet Convention two years running, and its position as the largest partner university in the Skillnet network.
She remarked on TU Dublin’s long-standing commitment to enterprise engagement and the importance of mainstreaming and highlighted TU Dublin’s triple mission of learning, research, and societal engagement.
I have a fervent belief in the triple mission of the university: learning and teaching, research and innovation, and engagement at the societal and industry level. Today’s event exemplifies how we can support colleagues with the tools and wherewithal to do this work really well.
Dr. Claire Mc Bride, Head of the Enterprise Academy and Convene Project Lead
She also emphasised TU Dublin’s unique role in the national enterprise landscape, noting the work of the Enterprise Academy.
Dr. Mc Bride praised the Enterprise Engagement Framework as a vital tool for mainstreaming enterprise engagement across the university. She highlighted the importance of supporting both experienced and emerging academic staff in navigating the complexities of industry collaboration, and commended the Enterprise Academy for its leadership in developing practical resources to enable this work.
Welcome Address: Dr. Paul Doyle, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment
Dr. Paul Doyle, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment in his welcome address underscored the need for a structured framework to guide sustainable collaboration with industry. He highlighted the EEF’s practical features, including the “go/no-go” decision gate and its alignment with TU Dublin’s practice-based identity.
“We need a transparent, repeatable process to engage with industry; one that ensures mutual value and financial viability. The Enterprise Engagement Framework offers exactly that: a scalable model that asks the right questions and supports sustainable partnerships.”
Dr. Paul Doyle, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment
Dr. Doyle also reflected on his own experience working with industry and academia, noting that the framework helps bridge the cultural and operational differences between the two sectors. He emphasised the importance of financial viability and strategic alignment in programme development, and praised the framework for embedding these considerations from the outset. He concluded by commending the Enterprise Academy team for formalising a process that is both scalable and adaptable, and encouraged colleagues to use the framework to build programmes that are responsive to industry needs and sustainable for the university.
Other key points from Dr. Doyle's address included:
- The importance of mutual value in partnerships.
- The necessity of a transparent, iterative process.
- The role of financial scrutiny and strategic alignment.
- The value of repeatable, scalable programme development.
Enterprise Engagement Framework Overview
Dr. Dee Duffy, Senior Engagement Manager at the Enterprise Academy, presented the Enterprise Engagement Framework (EEF), a five-phase model designed to guide the development of agile, industry-aligned programmes.
Detailing its five-phase structure: Viability, Planning, Execution, Monitoring, and Life Cycling, Dr. Duffy highlighted tools such as the Strategic Fit Toolkit and Market Requirements Document, designed to support early decision-making and alignment with TU Dublin’s quality assurance processes.
“Enterprise partnerships can be complex, and navigating internal processes can be even more so. The EEF is a product of 18 months of collective learning, designed to help colleagues build scalable, repeatable programmes that put the learner at the centre.”
Dr. Dee Duffy, Senior Engagement Manager at the Enterprise Academy
Dr. Duffy emphasised the importance of programme managers and lifecycle planning to ensure long-term success and responsiveness to industry needs. Dr. Duffy also noted:
“The framework is not just a tool; it’s a reflection of our shared experience across the university. It captures the lessons learned, the challenges faced, and the solutions we’ve developed together to make enterprise engagement more accessible and sustainable.”
The development of the EEF was a collaborative effort led by the Enterprise Academy’s team of senior engagement managers, whose collective experience and insights shaped the framework’s design and practical tools.
Introductory video guiding you through the Enterprise Engagement Framework
Panel Discussion Highlights
The Bridging Academia and Enterprise: A Framework for Sustainable Collaboration panel discussion brought together a diverse group of TU Dublin academic leaders and policy experts to reflect on the practical application and strategic value of the Enterprise Engagement Framework. Each panellist offered a unique perspective informed by their respective roles and experiences.
Nicole O’Neill, Education Innovation Manager praised the framework’s alignment with TU Dublin’s quality assurance processes and emphasised the importance of lifecycle management and learner-centred design.
John Walsh, Head of the School of Art and Design noted the framework’s value in resource planning, industry communication, and capturing the depth of work involved in programme development.
Ann Masterson, Head of HRM Discipline and member of the National Skills Council stressed the importance of demand-led models, SME engagement, and the role of brokers like the Enterprise Academy in navigating the skills ecosystem.
The panel also discussed the broader implications of the framework for TU Dublin’s strategic positioning in the national skills ecosystem
Find out more about the EEF
The Enterprise Engagement Framework can now be accessed on the Academic Affairs microsite at https://www.tudublin.ie/eef. The Enterprise Academy encourages all academic and professional staff involved in programme development or industry collaboration to explore the framework and consider how it can support their work. Whether you're initiating a new partnership or refining an existing one, the EEF offers practical guidance, tools, and templates to help you build sustainable, learner-focused programmes.
Download the webinar presentation here.
Enterprise Engagement Framework Webinar Presentation, October 2025
Watch the full webinar
Acknowledgments
The Enterprise Academy extends sincere thanks to all those who contributed to the success of the webinar. Special appreciation goes to Dr. Paul Doyle, Nicole O’Neill, John Walsh, and Ann Masterson for their insightful panel contributions. The Enterprise Academy acknowledges the invaluable input of each of the Senior Engagement Managers of the Enterprise Academy, whose collaborative work was instrumental in developing the Enterprise Engagement Framework.