DPR News
Irish Breton Universities Conference
Academic and leadership staff from University College Cork attended a symposium aboard the MV Armorique docked in Ringaskiddy, meeting with colleagues from Irish and Breton universities to deepen educational and research connections between Ireland and Brittany, France.
The event was the first symposium of the Wild Atlantic Alliance, a group of universities including UCC, University of Galway, University of Limerick, University of Western Brittany, University of Southern Brittany, University of Rennes 1, and University of Rennes 2. The event was sponsored by the universities as well as by the region of Brittany and Brittany Ferries.
The event was opened by VIP guests including the Deputy Mayor of County Cork, Deirdre O’Brien, Lord Mayor of Cork City Ms Deirdre Forde, the Ambassador of France to Ireland H.E. Vincent Guérend and the Ambassador of Ireland to France Ambassador Niall Burgess. Speakers emphasised the importance of the relationship between Ireland and France, now close EU neighbours.
Academic staff brought their expertise to four focused working groups on topics including Celtic and Irish Studies, Ports Sea and water, Environment and Sustainability and Digital transformation; all themes which build on some of the areas of common interest and expertise across the universities.
Stephen Byrne, UCC’s Deputy President and Registrar, represented UCC at a meeting with the ambassadors, alliance presidents and university leadership. Prof. Byrne was joined by UCC’s Associate Vice-President, Director of European Relations and Public Affairs, Dr Jean van Sinderen-Law, Vice President for Research & Innovation, Professor John Cryan, Academic Secretary Mr Paul O’Donovan and Interim Director of Recruitment & Admissions, Ms Kathryn Neville. This meeting focused on strategies for driving global engagement across the partners, and established a route forward for the alliance.
Rich insights, ideas and needs were expressed throughout the one-day event, indicating a range of next steps for the alliance to establish further shared activities, academic partnerships and mobility.
To find out more about the Wild Atlantic Alliance and UCC’s involvement, email Dr Jean van Sinderen-Law at j.law@ucc.ie