Rince Institute: Constitutional Statement

Introduction

1. The Rince Institute (formerly the "Research Institute for Networks and Communications Engineering") was established under an element of the national research strategy defined by PRTLI. It is one of four PRTLI designated ‘centres’ in DCU. It is an ICT research Institute. By virtue of establishment in this way it has national status, and has the opportunities and responsibilities that go with that.

Mission

2. The Institute’s mission is to realise new research directions, and to make landmark contributions to the development of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the Global Information Society.

Purpose

3. Rince, as a research institute, is an organised community for the promotion of scientific research and educational activity.

Institute Name

4. With the inevitability of a changing membership, and a strategic ambition to capacity growing and to being inclusive under the Institute label, the appropriateness of the Institute’s name will be reviewed from time to time.

Structure

5. To facilitate a structured approach to management, Rince is organised in the form of research interest groups (RIGs). The RIGs are intended to facilitate the representational requirements of the existing members of Rince, and equally to create the possibility for, other researchers in the Faculty of Engineering and Computing, other researchers outside the Faculty of Engineering and Computing in DCU, and collaborators nationally and internationally to participate by,

• joining an existing group, or
• joining a group restructured for the benefit of those joining, or
• establishing an entirely new group.

Whilst clustering of itself is not essential in scientific research terms, it is considered to have great value in ensuring supported leadership, good communications across the Institute, maintaining collegiality, and promotional impact.

Academic Freedom

6. Conscious of the fact that it is not a requirement for any academic staff member to join any organised group, or to follow a directed research programme, Rince will respect fully the rights of members to conduct their research activities in a manner defined by them as long as the research is consistent with the Institute’s mission and standards. In particular the Institute does not wish to constrain members from establishing effective collaborations, in or out of Rince, because of its internal structure.

Membership

7. Rince has three membership categories:

• Residential, meaning DCU based
• Visiting, and
• Associated industrial partners

All research projects, documents, papers, posters, etc. of Rince-affiliated members will have the Rince affiliation/identity/logo attached. Where possible, members will identify Rince as their affiliation. Where not possible, members will acknowledge their association with Rince. Where members are required or need to acknowledge other group(s) to whom they are affiliated or from whom they are in receipt of resources, a comprehensive approach to credits is expected.

Leadership

8. The Institute will have a Director with overall coordinating responsibility.

The Institute Director reports to the Dean, is a member of the Engineering and Computing Faculty Board, has direct access to the Vice President for Research and the President's office, by virtue of the role. In addition the Director will have preferred status in the representation of the Institute to external agencies. It is expected that candidates for the Director position will be drawn from the set of RIG representatives.

The Director is appointed in accordance with the normal University procedures for such a position.

Management

9. The Institute will be led by the Director with the support of a management team and Board, that will include as a minimum, the Director who will be the Chair, each RIG representative, and the Associate Dean for research from the Faculty of Engineering and Computing.

Allocation of resources and the provision of services

10. Rince will allocate resources and provide services with due regard to commitment and performance.

External Advisory panel

11. An external advisory panel will be appointed to ensure the international and industrial relevance of the Institute.