New plans to modernise and upgrade the UCD campus at Belfield were agreed by the college's governing authority yesterday.
Outline proposals tabled by the UCD president, Dr Hugh Brady, make the case for a new science block and changes to the arts block.
Dr Brady is also known to back plans for a more "imposing" entrance to the college at the Stillorgan dual carriageway.
Dr Brady's plans to revamp the campus come after a period in which he has moved to radically change the university's structures. In the past year, UCD's academic structures have changed dramatically, with the number of departments and faculties halved.
There have been complaints about the infrastructure at Belfield for more than two decades. Last year, a consultant's report was highly critical of the current state of the science block, which dates back to the 1960s.
The Washington Advisory Group said the poor condition of that block and associated facilities at Belfield required urgent attention.
Dr Brady is a controversial figure whose reform proposals have attracted a great deal of criticism within the college. But others at Belfield credit him with transforming the university since his appointment two years ago.
In recent weeks, morale at UCD has been lifted by a surge in the number of applications from Leaving Cert students. The university is also seeking new staff to fill key roles in five new schools and faculties.
