Launching the initiative, An Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Brian Cowen, said, “[This] is exactly the type of development which the government is trying to encourage. I believe it can help us achieve our goals for increasing collaboration between higher education institutions, establishing better linkages between higher education and industry, and delivering the economic growth and job creation we need in the years ahead.”
The Translational Research Institute will be of national strategic importance, given an increasing emphasis in Ireland on research that can have more immediate industrial and economic benefits and help to build a smart economy and a knowledge society. Backed by the Georgia Institute of Technology’s long-standing and extensive track record of industry-focused research and technology development, the proposed Translational Research Institute will play a key role in this area.
President of Georgia Tech Bud Peterson said the new partnership will make it easier for Georgia Tech to conduct many large-scale applied research programmes and will provide additional real-world research opportunities for Georgia Tech students. “Georgia Tech is building upon a successful working relationship with both universities that has already produced important research in such areas as the use of radio-frequency identification (RFID) in medical inventory management and energy management for buildings, and in-home care of aging populations”, he said.
The Translational Research Institute will be a national centre of excellence in translational research, technology development and exploitation in key strategic areas of Science, Engineering, and Technology. It will aim to enhance the capacity and expertise available to the broad higher education sector and Irish industry, providing a competitive advantage for indigenous SMEs and Irish-based foreign direct investment companies.
President of NUI Galway, James J. Browne, said, “Our partnership with Georgia Institute of Technology underlines the fact that both universities are working with the strengths and needs of our region, in the interest of the Irish economy and to the highest international standards.”
He added that Georgia Tech has a longstanding and successful track record in bringing academic research to bear on problems facing industry and government. “They have a record of success in translating academic research into products, processes and services which serve industry and generate economic wealth. We are proud that this new Translational Research Institute, Georgia Tech Ireland will bring this model to Irish Higher Education.”
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