UCC hosts inaugural IBEC Regional Forum
L-R: President of UCC, Dr. Michael Murphy, Minister Simon Coveney TD and Brendan Keane of IBEC pictured at the IBEC Regional Futures Forum in UCC Western Gateway Building, Cork.
L-R: President of UCC, Dr. Michael Murphy, Minister Simon Coveney TD and Brendan Keane of IBEC pictured at the IBEC Regional Futures Forum in UCC Western Gateway Building, Cork.
The Regional Futures project is being rolled out as a series of workshops in key regional locations over the coming months. This process is seen as an opportunity to reshape our thinking about regions and the ability of regions to deliver growth, innovation and jobs.
Opening the Forum, President of UCC, Dr. Michael Murphy commented:
"UCC is delighted to be the initial partner with IBEC on the ‘Regional Futures’ initiative, a part of the 'Driving Ireland’s Recovery’ campaign. As a significant contributor to the regional economy, UCC is assisting Ireland’s recovery through research links with industry, its innovation and entrepreneurial platform, and the provision of lifelong learning opportunities. The food and beverage sector, coupled with growth in aquaculture, will play a progressively more important role in enhancing Irish exports in the future. UCC’s global reputation in these areas demonstrates the important role it can play in the creation of new jobs and in Ireland’s economic recovery. By working with our partners in the region, we can expand our capacity to create value for the regional economy."
Mr. Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine delivered an address on the enormous potential of the “new” food economy and paid tribute to the work of UCC and Cork Institute of Technology in preparing graduates of the future for exciting careers in the areas of Food Science, Food Technology and Nutritional Sciences. He noted in particular the 27% increase in the take-up of Food-related programmes across Irish institutions this year.
Offering a presentation on UCC’s research capacity and the future of the food and drinks industry, Professor Anita Maguire, Vice President for Research and Innovation at UCC stressed the need for the University to act as connector between the region and the globe:
“By working together with our partners in the region, many of whom are members of this Forum, we can expand our capacity to create value for the regional economy.”
The Forum was also addressed by Mr. Brendan Keane, IBEC Regional President, Dr. Proinnsias Breathnach, National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis, Maynooth and Mr. Reg McCabe, Head of Regional Policy IBEC.
It was attended by a cross-section of representatives drawn from the food and drinks sector, as well as representatives from local government and the semi-state sector.