Throughout the year, the Undergraduate Awards run think-ins for undergrads – or what we refer to as Where Next events. During these sessions, where recognised industry specialists address a gathering of students and discourse and discussion is the order of the day, these students can gain a great insight into what is awaiting them after graduation and, indeed, the role they can play in shaping the country for years to come.

On June 24th, 2010, 80 students attended our Summer Session, a think-in on The Online Economy. Keynote speakers included Michael Birch, the founder of Bebo, Bill Liao, founder of XING, Colm Lyon (Realex Payments), Joan Mulvihill (IIA), Eamonn Fallon (Daft.ie), David Mytton (Boxed Ice), Terence O’Rourke (KPMG) and many more. We’d like to thank everyone who attended; your thoughts, questions and insights made for a really inspiring morning of discussion and idea generation.

The first Where Next event, entitled simply Where Next for Ireland – was held on December 15th, 2008, in No. 8 St. Stephen’s Green, a venue kindly provided by Hugh O’Regan. Fifty students were nominated by their universities to attend. Throughout the day, students and guest speakers addressed a wide range of issues in an open and engaging forum. Guest speakers included the US Senator Chris Dodd, who is the chairman of the US Senate Banking Committee, our own Minister Eamon Ryan, journalists Fintan O’Toole, John Waters and Marc Coleman, politicians David Norris and Richard Bruton, along with many others. The day was streamed live online by RTE and special thanks should go to Joe Zefran, Tadgh Peavoy and Gavin Moloney.

The second Where Next event was held in the Google headquarters in Dublin. Again, 50 students were nominated by their universities to attend. The focus and title of the day was Digital Democracy. Throughout the event, students and guest speakers addressed a wide range of issues in an open and engaging forum. Guest speakers included Hans Reimer, former National Youth Coordinator for the Obama Campaign, our own Chris Horn, founder of Iona Technologies, and blogger Suzy Byrne.

Future events are planned over the coming weeks and months, so keep checking the site.