2013 Press Releases
UCC and Pfizer launch new innovation award
UCC and Pfizer have launched a new “Innovation through Teamwork” award that highlights excellence in research among UCC research teams.
The award, which recognises UCC teams that have collaborated to deliver an innovative product, process or solution to society through their excellence in research, has been established through a new partnership between UCC and Pfizer.
The award will support UCC’s strategic plan to become a premier European university for research, discovery, innovation and commercialisation.
The Award winning teams will receive a €5,000 travel bursary to support the development of further collaborations in their research. In addition the Pfizer Ireland Innovation Team will facilitate and host an innovation training workshop with all entrants and their team members.
The Award winner will be chosen from shortlisted applicants by an external judging panel from across academia and industry.
Speaking at the launch of the award Dr. Paul Duffy, Vice President, Pfizer, said: “The launch of the Innovation through teamwork award allows Pfizer to share the company’s passion about science and technology with the academic community. Pfizer has a long history in Ireland and in particular in Cork where Pfizer opened their first Irish operations in 1969. Our business would not be what it is today if it were not for scientific innovation which has enabled Pfizer to produce and manufacture some of the most innovative medicines in the world. At Pfizer we recognise the importance of fostering collaborations between academia and industry in establishing Ireland as a location for world-class research and innovation. The launch of this new award highlights this within another community who are just as passionate about science and technology as we are."
Professor Anita Maguire, Vice President for Research and Innovation at UCC, said: “UCC has a long tradition of innovative thinking. We have been national leaders in the development of engagement with industry for many years. UCC established Ireland’s first dedicated Industrial Liaison Office in 1982 to help us capture this innovation potential. We continue to look at new ways of providing novel and innovative ideas that can have impact for the community and the economy. Our strategic drive in recent years has been to develop multidisciplinary relationships within and beyond the university to extract the maximum potential from our research activity and excellence. This award, with its independent review process, is a means of recognising and validating the excellence of our innovative researchers across all areas of UCC’s research community. We are delighted to be able to work with our valued partners in Pfizer to bring this event to reality."
For further information, see http://techtransfer.ucc.ie/pfizer_award.html Closing date for this year's awards Friday 8 February 2013.